Transforming University Libraries

Embracing Change on Campus

The transformation of large collections is no small achievement, especially for universities with extensive and intricate library systems. It's not just about relocating books; it's about reimagining the available space to cater to the needs of modern academia.

Many universities have libraries scattered across their campuses, each serving different departments and purposes. This decentralization often leads to inefficiencies such as duplicated books and scattered collections. To address this, universities must develop a comprehensive strategy that answers the 'how,' 'where,' and 'when' for consolidating their libraries.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, for instance, developed an innovative process to identify which on-campus libraries were prepared for consolidation. This allowed them to make better use of space and resources.

Renovations with Flexibility in Mind

The planning committee at UW-Madison had a vision for their renovated spaces: they wanted areas that could adapt to various needs throughout the day. These spaces weren't just for classes; they needed to serve as study centers and collaborative workspaces, around the clock.

Creating a high-bay shelving facility came about to be the perfect solution as it allowed them to free up the valuable space in the libraries and consolidate their collections in an offsite facility. The initial project was so successful that the University is planning an expansion at the current offsite facility that has 4x the capacity to free up even more critical space that can be repurposed at other facilities.

Elevating Efficiency with Spacesaver

Multiple factors must be considered right from the planning stage to ensure efficiency during construction and operations.

Large off-site storage facilities come with significant long-term costs related to temperature and humidity control. A prime example is the Zhang Legacy Collections Center at Western Michigan University. After thorough analysis, they chose the Spacesaver's XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage System. This reduced costs by needing a smaller building, less energy consumption, and a more convenient location.

Anticipating Future Needs

When Emory and Georgia Tech embarked on creating their shelving facility, they prioritized seamless intake and retrieval procedures. Architects designed a processing area that provided easy access to shelving and even included an interior loading dock for convenience.

Wake Forest University approached their off-site shelving facility with foresight. They didn't install all the shelving units at once. Instead, they set up rails for the XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage System during construction, with plans to add more units as needed in the future.

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, libraries must adapt to meet the needs of students, staff, and faculty. Through careful planning, strategic consolidation, and sustainable practices, universities can not only modernize their libraries but also create spaces that foster innovation and learning.