Austin, Texas
Preserving Texas History with Spacesaver Archives Storage
See how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission created a modern archives storage system in a 1960s-era building.
A Challenging Structure
The Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin, Texas, first opened its doors in 1961 and was named a national Literary Landmark in 2009. The building houses the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and while the building has its charms — it’s across the street from the State Capitol and features an impressive facade and entryway — its structure has also posed a challenge for librarians and archivists.
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Do you need to store archives? See how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission created a modern archives storage system in a 1960’s-era building.
Download this Story
Do you need to store archives? See how the Texas State Library and Archives Commission created a modern archives storage system in a 1960’s-era building.
Creative Library & Archives Storage Solutions
Over the years, the local Spacesaver team’s attention to detail has allowed staff to optimize the available space, relocate shelving within the building and among various satellite locations, and develop creative storage solutions for a variety of irreplaceable historic materials.
"Visitors from around the world can appreciate the treasures at the Texas State Library and Archives that have been made available here. The archives provide a window into Texas history."
- Former First Lady Laura Bush, speaking at the dedication of the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building as a national Literary Landmark
"As we’ve grown – in more ways than one, staff as well as collections – we’ve seen the need to rethink the shelving."
- Jelain Chubb, State Archivist and Director, Archives and Information Services Division at Texas State Library and Archives Commission
In the late 1990s the institution began to outgrow the available space and approached the Texas State Legislature for funds to completely rethink the use of space throughout the building. Those funds were awarded in 2008, and staff reached out to the local Spacesaver team for assistance in designing new storage solutions. “As we’ve grown — in more ways than one, staff as well as collections — we’ve seen the need to rethink the shelving,” said Jelain Chubb, the state archivist and the director of the Archives and Information Services Division at Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
The main challenge involved vertical supports located every nine feet throughout the building’s storage areas. This posed a major problem when trying to design an archival shelving and storage system that would make the best use of the available space. The local Spacesaver team devised an innovative solution: they developed a layout that included stationary shelving units alternating with mobile shelves that slide on rails.
An Enduring Relationship
The Commission continues to fine-tune its archival shelving and storage areas, and the local Spacesaver team is always ready to help with space planning advice, insights and ideas from other clients, and technicians who can assist with relocating shelving or installing new systems.“It’s been a good thing to know that we can break it down, and move it around, and adjust it, and reconfigure it to our needs,” Chubb said. “That’s been really good.”