Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Ivy Library

Stacking Up Efficient Operations and Optimal Space for UVA

Expanding Capabilities Without Increasing Footprint

While many information sources can now be found at the click of a button, there is still a growing need for solutions that can optimize the quality and quantity of storage of physical materials used by researchers, staff, and students at universities everywhere. However, upon reaching capacity within their facilities, administrators are faced with making a choice between culling their collections, adding to their footprint, or renovating to increase capacity.

Finding itself in this exact situation, the University of Virginia conducted a research project to discover how to best expand the capacity and ability of Ivy Library – its off-site shelving facility – to serve the many libraries and schools on campus. In the end, they concluded that the best option was to improve the systems within with the help of their local storage experts from Spacesaver.

Make The Move Off-Site

Today’s universities face the difficult challenge of trying to fit an increasing amount of irreplaceable book collections, records, and other materials into a decreasing amount of storage space. Spacesaver has the solution.

Putting A Box Around The Solution

When initially constructed and outfitted with storage solutions in 1995, the 10,000 SF Ivy Library building could securely store approximately 750,000 pieces. This setup of static shelving units served the university well for the next 15 years but was quickly approaching its limits in respect to both capacity and functionality. Wanting to uphold its mission to provide the best support possible for those who utilize its materials, administrators at Ivy Library had our local rep put together a new storage layout for the facility that included our XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage Systems, which were designed to maximize capacity from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.

With the decision made and funding in place, the university got to work packaging and categorizing every piece within the building to prepare for removal of the static shelving and installation of the innovative XTend® systems. This encompassed roughly 55,000 boxes of items including CDs, microforms, books, pamphlets, paperwork, bound journals, cassettes, LPs, and models; each stored securely at off-site locations until the upgrade was completed in summer of 2011.

Spacesaver Storage Solved
Spacesaver Storage Solved

Remaining Top Of The Class

Spacesaver’s High-Density Mobile Shelving (HDMS) systems have been the industry leader for more than 50 years, and XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage Systems take that legacy to the next level. For the staff at Ivy Library, XTend not only offered them the ability to quintuple the facility’s storage capacity but also helped them improve processes and increase access to materials requested by the campus’ libraries and schools of learning.

To further the security of Ivy Library’s staff and materials while utilizing the 34’ high shelving units, their XTend systems are mounted on anti-tip rails. Furthermore, these leading systems are controlled by innovative electronic controls that promote smooth movement and are supported by integral safety features including aisle-entry and Photo Sweep® sensors, allowing users to safely and efficiently access materials with the touch of a button.

"Dealing with these tall shelves loaded with tons of books and other items, we are able to operate the systems with peace of mind because we've seen the safety features at work successfully. The system’s ability to stop movement when an object as small as a piece of paper triggers the sensors is vital to maintaining the safety of our staff and materials."

- Caleb Mechem, Print Collection Strategist

Taking Efficient Storage To New Heights

Our High-Bay Storage Systems provide more capacity in off-site storage facilities. Available in static form and our innovative XTend® mobile shelving configuration, these systems deliver increased storage density, adjustability, and accessibility for your facility.

"Finding the books is so much easier that it’s almost impossible to fathom the difference between the Spacesaver system and our previous system. Spacesaver worked wonderfully with us, giving us virtually everything we asked for and in the best way. The system has worked out even better for us than we planned."

- Steve Bartlett, Ivy Library Manager

A Lasting Impact On Learning

Despite being installed more than a decade ago, the University of Virgina continues to see value in the Ivy Library’s XTend® system. With its previous static storage setup, items were relegated to any open space that would support their respective size – causing many of the items to be misplaced due to a reduced ability to track their positioning after being initially logged in.

Upon implementing and configuring Spacesaver’s XTend® system to fit their current and future storage needs, staff were able to boost functionality, dependability, and accessibility. And, when new pieces are added to collection, these shelving units can be reconfigured for fit items of all sizes. This versatility allows the facility’s staff to securely store less frequently used materials and centrally locate more popular items in an environment that best supports them and promotes easier access when requested for pickup/drop off by the Ivy Library courier that comes to the facility twice a day.

"Not all shelves are created equal. This project has really expanded our capacity to retain materials that otherwise might have ended up in a much less desirable, accessible place. Sitting in a secure, environmentally controlled building one day away isn't the worst thing that can happen to a book that hasn't been touched in years."

- A Director at the university

Spreading Spacesaver’s impact beyond the University of Virginia’s campus, Mechem stated that libraries reach out to his team often for advice and to learn more about Ivy Library’s systems and their unique functionalities. He tells them when working with a vendor – like Spacesaver – libraries should focus on making the relationship a partnership and don't be afraid to say what is needed and wanted out of a system, because there may be solutions you might not know the vendor possesses or can develop to solve your problem.