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Warehouse & Distribution

<p>Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a university library system, making it more efficient, technologically advanced, and sustainable? The answer lies in planning and strategic decision-making – and most importantly, Spacesavers storage solutions.</p>
<h3>Embracing Change on Campus</h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
 <p>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.</p>
<h3>Renovations with Flexibility in Mind</h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3>Elevating Efficiency with Spacesaver</h3>
<p>Multiple factors must be considered right from the planning stage to ensure efficiency during construction and operations.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3>Anticipating Future Needs</h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h3>Commitment to Sustainability</h3> 
<p>Spacesaver has been a pioneer in sustainable product design since 1972. Their high-density mobile shelving systems not only save space but also reduce construction, material, and operational costs while preserving the environment.</p>
 <p><b>Spacesaver's commitment to sustainability is evident in their products and manufacturing processes:</b></p>
 <ul>
 <li>Containing an average of 75% recycled steel</li>
 <li>Utilizing optional NAUF (no added urea formaldehyde) particle boards</li>
 <li>Offering integration with alternative materials such as acrylic and glass</li>
 <li>Contributing to LEED certification</li>
 <li>Designed for reconfiguration, reuse, and relocation, extending their useful life and reducing waste</li>
</ul>
<p>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.</p>

Discover how universities are redefining their libraries with Spacesavers storage solutions, creating spaces for modern academia’s demands.

Transforming University Libraries

A journey of consolidation and sustainability.

<p>When it comes to designing a high-bay facility, do not underestimate the difficulties involved. We recently had a client who approached their local Spacesaver distributor with a concern - their architect the idea that their high-bay project was nothing more than "just a warehouse." In reality, a high-bay facility is a lot more than that.</p>
<p>So, what goes into designing a high-bay facility that's not just about shelving but also about supporting functions? Let's explore the key aspects that should be considered:</p>
<h4>1. Loading Dock - Privacy Matters</h4>
<p>A loading dock is a crucial component of a high-bay facility. To enhance functionality and security, it's advisable to specify landscaping to create a more private loading dock area. This not only ensures smooth operations but also adds an element of safety and aesthetics to the facility.</p>
<h4>2. Staging Area - Organized Storage</h4>
<p>Efficiency matters in a high-bay facility, and that includes having a staging area. This area is essential for storing boxes of materials that have recently been acquired, items returned from the campus, or those awaiting transportation to the campus. A well-organized staging area streamlines operations and prevents clutter.</p>
<h4>3. Blast Freezer - Pest Prevention</h4>
<p>Pest infestation is a real concern, and freezing can help mitigate this risk. That's why many high-bay facilities have a blast freezer located in or near the intake area. This is just one example of how specific functions need to be considered in the design process.</p>
<h4>4. Sizing Matters - Space Efficiency</h4>
<p>Instead of organizing materials by call number, consider sorting them by size. This approach can increase space efficiency by an additional 15 percent. Staff can sort incoming materials by height and depth, placing each volume in archival-quality paperboard trays of various sizes. This simple change can lead to significant space savings.</p>
<h4>5. Specialty Collections - Customized Storage</h4>
<p>If your high-bay facility will house specialty items like maps or large, flat materials, it's crucial to plan for it. Allocate space for flat file cabinets in a climate-controlled area and consider perforated shelving to promote air circulation. Customization ensures the safe storage of unique items.</p>
<h2>Safety and ADA Compliance - Non-Negotiable</h2>
<p>In any high-bay facility, safety, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are non-negotiable factors. Here's what you need to know:</p>
<h4>Safety Features</h4>
<p>Spacesaver has always prioritized safety and pioneered numerous safety features in the industry. Their powered systems, many of which offer controlled, selective access, are UL system listed and CSA approved. The safety system you choose will depend on your specific needs and access requirements, so it's wise to contact Spacesaver for a personalized needs analysis and recommendations.</p>
<h4>ADA Features</h4>
<p>Ensuring ADA compliance is crucial, and Spacesaver understands the importance of adhering to accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities. While specific regulations may vary by location, Spacesaver's storage consultants are well-versed in local requirements. They can provide guidance and assistance in finalizing your space plans, ensuring that your high-bay facility is accessible to everyone.</p>
<p>In conclusion, designing a high-bay facility goes far beyond shelving. It involves careful consideration of various functions, safety measures, and compliance with accessibility standards. If you're embarking on a high-bay project, it's essential to work with experts who understand the nuances and can tailor the design to your unique needs. Your high-bay facility should be a well-organized, efficient, and safe space that serves its intended purpose seamlessly.</p>

Explore high-bay facility design storage solutions. Prioritize safety, ADA compliance, and efficient organization with Spacesaver experts. 

High-bay Facility Design

<p>Every university and library is different, so it’s important to take the broadest view possible when considering a high-bay shelving facility to meet their needs – and those of their community. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, for instance, established committees to recommend strategies that would strengthen core library functions, redesign campus spaces to create new learning environments, locate related collections closer together, and streamline processes.</p>
<p>“We’re taking libraries back to what they originally were: spaces to create the scholarship of the future surrounded by the scholarship of the past.”</p>
<p>-Catherine Murray-Rust, Creating the Next Research Library, ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 2017</p>
<p>As you look to move beyond the traditional library setting of reading tables and rows of books on shelves, it is important to note that physical learning tools can’t go away completely. Students still need access to these resources; however, the library also needs to have room for the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Collaborative workspaces 
<li>Tech-enabled learning spaces 
<li>Makerspaces 
<li>Visualization labs 
<li>Special events space 
<li>Print materials,/li>
</ul>
<h2>Acquiring Funding</h2>
<p>As you consider funding for your project, keep in mind that contracts can offer a powerful purchasing option. Contracts are systems set up by state governments and other organizations to evaluate products and negotiate pricing with esteemed vendors – a process that in turn allows government, education, non-profit, and other organizations to save time and money when purchasing those vendors’ products. Most libraries and archives in the U.S. and Canada can purchase Spacesaver products at a deep discount by using NJPA, National IPA, and/or state contracts.</p>
<p>“You don’t get political support without great customer service. And political support is what gets you funding.”</p>
<p>-Catherine Murray-Rust, Creating the Next Research Library, ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 2017</p>
<h2>Gathering Data</h2>
<p>Consolidating the content of a complex, campus-wide library network into off-site shelving requires a deliberate plan of action. And in a process that can sometimes get emotional, it’s important to gather the facts.</p>
<p>This includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Circulation statistics</li>
<li>Gate counts</li>
<li>Shelf space</li>
<li>Square footage of various libraries</li>
<li>Library services currently offered and desired</li>
<li>Staffing levels and job descriptions currently offered and desired</li>
<li>Current budgets for various libraries around campus</li>
<li>Preferred storage conditions – temperature, relative humidity, etc.</li>
<li>Current costs of off-site storage, if applicable</li>
</ul>
<h4>Building A More Economical Solution</h4>
<p>Wake Forest University decided to build an on-site high-bay shelving facility due to the expense and inconvenience of renting space off campus. In its previous arrangement, the university was charged by the linear foot for storing books and had to pay a fee anytime a book was retrieved, and again when it was returned to the storage facility. “That was cost-prohibitive,” said Mary Beth Lock, Director of Access Services at Z. Smith Reynolds Library. “It really wasn’t a model that we could continue to use.”</p>
<h4>Evolving Roles</h4>
<p>As library materials shift, so do the roles of library professionals. While their work centers on knowledge and information, library professionals at the UW-Madison are spending less time helping patrons find printed materials and more time helping students and researchers discover, evaluate, understand, and share information from a variety of sources.</p>
<ul>
<li>Assisting students with electronic research tools, including bibliographic management tools</li>
<li>Helping students, faculty, and other researchers develop data management plans and research portfolios</li>
<li>Supporting digital scholarship and sharing new ways of disseminating scholarship</li>
<li>Teaching students about informational literacy concepts, copyright laws, and intellectual property concerns</li>
 </ul>
<p>“Librarians can’t sit in the building and wait for people to come in and engage. They need to get out on campus and be more entrepreneurial. That’s a completely different job. We’re asking them to be different kinds of people.”</p>
<p>-Catherine Murray-Rust, Creating the Next Research Library, ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 2017</p>

Steps to planning and financing a library collection high-bay solution.

High-Bay Shelving Facility

Is your campus ready for the transformation that a new high-bay facility will bring?

Businesses establish archives to store and protect items like letters, memos, reports, photographs, brochures, signage, and other artifacts. These "everyday" items might seem ordinary when they’re created, but they reflect a firm’s unique historic role in a particular time and place.

Every company — particularly larger firms — should consider preserving digital and physical records in a way that keeps them organized and accessible to future researchers.

<strong>Here are just a few of the corporations we’ve helped with archival storage design projects.</strong>[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-46670" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/clothing-archive-storage-system.jpg" alt="clothing archive storage system" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Delta Airlines</h2>
Corporate history often reflects popular culture, and Delta is no exception: Flight attendants’ attire, on-board china, and other aspects of in-flight service reflect changing tastes and attitudes throughout the past century. “These collections are part of history,” said Associate Archivist Tina Seetoo. “I’m referring not only to the company’s history, but also to the history of Atlanta, and the history of Atlanta becoming a gateway to the world.” [/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension="flat" size="large" url="/portfolio-posts/corporate-museum-archive/" bg_color="#00b4b4" btn_hover_bg="#f16232" btn_hover_txt_color="#ffffff"]Read Full Story[/mk_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Flavor Company Archive</h2>
This well-known flavor company built an archive space in its new headquarters to consolidate and protect items that staff have been storing since the firm's founding. The archives store historic and modern advertisements, signs, tins, and other memorabilia. Staff at the firm wanted to allow for room to grow in the future, so the Spacesaver consultant designed a large <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-shelving/">High-Density Mobile Shelving</a> system but only ordered shelving for one carriage for the initial installation. Additional carriages were installed as the collection grew.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter wp-image-46684 size-medium" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/corporate-archive-storage-design-cabinets.jpg" alt="corporate archive storage design cabinets" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-46669" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/sports-team-archive-storage-system.jpg" alt="sports team archive storage system" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Professional Sports Team Archive</h2>
This professional baseball team needed to store historically significant memorabilia, including home plates from championship games, jerseys, and other items. The space allocated for the archive in the stadium was small, so the planning and design team asked the local Spacesaver consultant to design a Spacesaver “compactor” high-density storage system to keep archival items organized and accessible.[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension="flat" size="large" url="/markets/sports-equipment-storage-solutions/professional-athletic-equipment-storage/" bg_color="#00b4b4" btn_hover_bg="#f16232" btn_hover_txt_color="#ffffff"]See Other Sports Team Solutions[/mk_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Apparel Brand Vault</h2>
This apparel brand keeps one sample of every version of every product in a climate controlled vault. Records and memorabilia are also stored in the vault, and the contents are kept under lock and key. The final level of security is a passcode-protected Spacesaver <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-shelving/">High-Density Mobile Shelving</a> system equipped with Touch Technology Control™. The system generates an audit of who opened which aisle, and when. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-46672" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/company-archive-electric-storage-system.jpg" alt="company archive electric storage system" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][mk_padding_divider][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-46668" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/product-apparel-archive-storage-system.jpg" alt="product apparel archive storage system" />[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][vc_column_text]
<h2>Lifestyle Brand's Product Library</h2>
Like many other apparel design firms, this lifestyle brand maintains an extensive product library at its headquarters. Samples of lounge wear, intimates, and activewear are stored on-site for eight seasons to enable designers and buyers to reference past products as they work. Three staffers are continually pulling requested items for meetings, returning stock, and replacing older apparel with more recent items. [/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension="flat" size="large" url="/blog/apparel-brand-product-library/" bg_color="#00b4b4" btn_hover_bg="#f16232" btn_hover_txt_color="#ffffff"]See More[/mk_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
<h3>Related Products</h3>
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][vc_column_text el_class="relatedProducts"]<a href="/products/museum-storage-products/art-racks/"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-42663" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/related-prodcuts-art-rack.png" alt="spacesaver art racks" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/products/museum-storage-products/art-racks/">Art Racks</a></p>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][vc_column_text el_class="relatedProducts"]<a href="/products/high-density-mobile-shelving"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-43360" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/related-product-moveable-shelves.png" alt="related product moveable shelves" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/products/high-density-mobile-shelving">High-density Mobile</a></p>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][vc_column_text el_class="relatedProducts"]<a href="/products/commercial-metal-shelving/4-post-static-shelving/"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-46074" src="https://www.spacesaver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/relatedproducts-nantucket-trays-drawer.png" alt="nantucket trays drawers" /></a>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="/products/commercial-metal-shelving/4-post-static-shelving/">4-Post Shelving</a></p>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/4"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/4" el_class="sidebarCol"][mk_custom_sidebar sidebar="sidebar-2"][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section bg_color="#3e4651" bg_stretch="true" video_loop="false" padding_top="40" padding_bottom="40" sidebar="sidebar-1"][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]
<h2 class="whiteText" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 2.4rem; text-transform: uppercase!important;">Connect with the Experts in ARCHIVES Planning &amp; Design</h2>
<p class="whiteText">Want to create better storage solutions for your corporate archives? Contact us to get connected with your local Spacesaver consultants, who can meet with you on site or online. They can provide product information and space planning insights to help you make the best decisions for your space and your budget. It’s free and there’s no obligation, so contact us today!</p>
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<h3 class="whiteText">Next up in <a href="/blog/category/archive-storage/">Archive Storage</a></h3>
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Preserving historic artifacts and company treasures.

Off-Site Archival Library

Transforming University Libraries

High-bay Facility Design

High-Bay Shelving Facility

Corporate Archives Planning and Design