According to the Washington Research Library Consortium, libraries across North America hold billions of books and add approximately 25 million more each year.
The pressure to hold the massive influx of print materials has overwhelmed library administrators for the past several decades. In 2007, the WRLC’s executive director strongly recommended libraries to invest in high-density storage facilities in order to address such pressures:
“High density storage facilities offer 15 to 20 times the capacity of traditional library shelving. For example, 10,000 square feet in a traditional library has a capacity of about 100,000 volumes, while a high-density facility of the same size can hold 1.5 million to 2 million volumes.”
Keep in mind that these figures were made nearly six years ago. The technical and design advances made for high-density storage systems since that time have further enhanced their storage capabilities. Imagine the impact they have on libraries today!
Patterson Pope has helped libraries tackle their storage problems for decades. With the company’s high density mobile storage products, library administrators not only find solutions for the plethora of books but they also find storage solutions for the abundance of media, paper files and computer equipment as well.
A library is not a storage warehouse. The purpose of a warehouse is to house materials, while the purpose of a library is to allow the public to freely roam, browse, download and borrow hard and digital material. Therefore, libraries need ample space for aisles, study areas, help centers and for other purposes.
Patterson Pope offers high-density mobile storage systems that make libraries accessible, easy and organized despite the heavy stream of new materials. These storage systems double the amount of floor space by creating movable aisles and utilizing vertical space.
With Patterson Pope’s high-density storage systems, library administrators do not have to worry about heavy lifting. Nor do they need to put themselves in harms way by climbing up high ladders to reach an item. These systems are designed for human safety and have features to ensure that no item is stored without a safe and easy retrieval method.
High-density storage units are offered in a variety of styles and can be customized to meet the functioning needs of individual library settings. At Patterson Pope, library professionals can choose between electrical powered mobile shelving systems, mobile high bay shelving, mechanical-assist mobile shelving systems, mobile art storage racks in addition to many others. The company refuses to adhere to a one-size fits all mentality when it comes to high-density shelving.
Incorporating high density shelving into library settings is such a great way to save space that often times, administrators find themselves scratching their heads while figuring out what to do with all of the extra room. For example, last year a large state university library began its planning phase to add high-density shelving. The library held multiple meetings with faculty, staff and students to solicit feedback on what to do with the new space – this was after they decided they already had enough new space for new public seating areas.
Unlike digital documents, hard books and other print materials must be safely stored as they simply cannot be “copied and pasted” into duplicates. High-density storage systems provide secure environmental conditions that guarantee longterm preservation of the valuable materials.
With high-density shelving, library administrators do not have to fear the unceasing volumes of new materials that need to be safely stored. Most high functioning libraries across the country have already integrated the shelving systems into their facilities. The remaining ones are encouraged to follow-suit in order to maintain a safe and accessible environment.