PURPOSE: To provide a storage device for sheet-shaped articles which can carry any sheet-shaped article into and from a desired position and efficiently store the article in a reduced space.

CONSTITUTION: An article storage unit 10 comprises a number of trays 11 stacked one on another. A support 14 is secured to each tray 11 and slides vertically along a stanchion 15. In order to carry a sheet-shaped article 1 onto a tray layer T4, a tray layer T5 and those above it are lifted and the tray layer T4 is held in a raised state so as to secure a space required for the tray layer T4 to rise and fall. An article transfer portion 20 comprises a support plate 21 and arms 22, 23, and the sheet-shaped article 1 is placed on the arms 22, 23. When the support plate 21 is moved in directions indicated by arrow A, B, C, the arms 22, 23 pass the respective notched portions 12, 13 of each tray 11 from above and the sheet-shaped article 1 is carried onto the tray layer T4.