Behind the Music: Sheet Music Storage Shelves that Support the Performance

Every rehearsal starts with paper: stacks of scores that need to be found fast, marked up, checked out, and put back without a fuss. After all, musicians need scores, librarians need order, and no one needs to fumble through mismatched stacks to find the right sheet music. That kind of balance can only happen when the sheet music storage shelving behind the scenes is built to keep pace with the performance.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is a world-class musical institution, but its music library hadn't kept pace. While the symphony performs more than 150 concerts per year, its library had remained largely the same since the late 80s, and the shelving showed it. It held the sheet music collection, but didn't help the people using it.

Then-Principal Librarian Rebecca Beavers couldn't rebuild the space dedicated to the ASO's massive music collection. But she did have the go-ahead to reimagine it. That's when she turned to Patterson Pope's maestros of storage to redesign the library around how the team really worked, based on planning seasons, staging parts, and caring for a huge catalog. And it all started with better sheet music storage shelves. 

A Cramped, Aging Music Library

Most classical music gets better with age. The same can't be said for outdated shelving and storage options.

By the time the ASO reached out to Patterson Pope, the music library had been working out of the same footprint since 1987. The room held decades of parts and scores, but the setup hadn't kept up with the (ahem) tempo. Existing shelves were beginning to creep out of position. "This project actually began with shelving that was moving on its own," said Beavers. "That was what got us thinking it was time to do something new."

The sheet music library's capacity was maxed out. The ASO's collection grew while the aisles and shelves stayed the same, leading to overflow, workarounds, and constant reshuffling. There wasn't enough space to stage parts, prep upcoming programs, or support daily librarian workflows. 

The ASO needed sheet music storage shelves that could protect the collection, improve access, and create room to plan weeks, months, and even years ahead. 

Reimagining the Library Layout

When the ASO decided it was time to rethink its music library, its goal wasn't just to cram more into the room or squeeze in more shelves. It was to completely rethink and reimagine a space, one that could suit the up-tempo pace of the musicians who used it. 

Our team helped reimagine the 1,100-square-foot library from the ground up. Out went the old, wobbly shelving; in came high-density mobile storage designed to hold thousands of scores without wasting an inch. Adjustable cantilever shelving gave oversized works a proper home, while smaller pieces were neatly organized for quick pull-and-play access. 

The redesign added breathing space: areas for staging future performances, spots for research, even upgrades like a fire suppression system. "We had to pay attention to the layout, and really, the whole flow of the space," said Beavers. "The entire room was gutted, and the result made a huge difference. We were able to design this whole layout system for the library and the work that we do. There's even a separate area for the computers and phones. It's been a wonderful transition." 

To make the most of the ASO's budget, the team reused some of the wooden bookshelves the library already had in place. This added a warmth and retro look to the library that the ASO team appreciated. Suddenly, the library wasn't just for storage. It became a hub for planning, practicing, and keeping the music flowing smoothly.  "Now, the musicians come in at the front," said Beaver. "They can check out the music and have access to the librarians if they have any questions.

A Space that Plays in Harmony

With a layout that makes more sense and shelving that finally keeps up, the ASO library now holds nearly three times the sheet music it once could. Scores are easier to locate, organize, and prepare, and the space flows naturally from planning to performance. 

Staging areas give librarians the breathing room they need to map out full seasons, not just next week's program. According to Rebecca Beavers, libraries often work "weeks, months, or even years in advance" when planning out a new season. Now they have a space that can help them in their planning and work with them instead of against them. 

It's not just the library staff who benefit, either. Musicians have easier access to what they need and a more welcoming space to engage with the library team. It's a place that supports the performance behind the performance — and one that's ready to grow along with the ASO. "This room is where our music lives," said Beavers. "We spend a lot of time in here. We needed this."