Consolidating and moving large research collections is a major undertaking, particularly at institutions that have a large and complex library system. Universities need to consider not only which collections will move and when, but also how the newly open space will be renovated to allow students, staff, and faculty to take full advantage of modern technology.

Many campuses have a decentralized library system: Some campus libraries serve individual departments while others are visited by thousands of patrons every day. Such decentralization can result in inefficiencies: duplicate volumes are located in multiple libraries on campus, seldom-accessed volumes take up valuable floor space, and related collections might be located miles away from each other.

Figuring out how, where, and when to consolidate collections requires a deliberate campus-wide strategy. The UW-Madison devised a novel process to determine which on-campus libraries were most ready to consolidate printed materials and repurpose space.

At the UW-Madison, the repurposing planning committee emphasized flexibility. They wanted spaces that not only offered a variety of options to instructors during the day, but that could also serve as study areas and collaborative work spaces around the clock.

Planning a high-bay shelving facility is a complex task. Taking the following considerations into account early in the planning stages will help ensure the most efficient construction and move-in processes.

Engineered and manufactured in the USA, Xtend High-Bay Storage Systems take full advantage of a facility’s vertical height.

Xtend High-Bay Mobile Storage Systems maximize vertical space and eliminate wasted space between aisles, allowing institutions to achieve maximum density while preserving accessibility.

Spacesaver’s medium-height shelving units can be designed and manufactured to exact specifications.