NEW LIBRARY SHELVING GIVES STUDENTS MORE SPACE TO LEARN
The University of Guelph McLaughlin Library is central to the University community as a valued partner and catalyst for learning, research, and knowledge-creation.
Originally built to cater to 10,000 students and a collection of 600,000 they have grown to serve roughly 24,000 students and hold a collection of 1.2 million. They were rapidly running out of space and needed help.
CUSTOM SOLUTION MODERNIZES THE LIBRARY AND CONDENSES COLLECTIONS
Our Storage Experts worked with staff at McLaughlin Library to design a solution that would condense their collections, creating more collaborative space for students. The new system would also help to modernize the library, allow staff to add new offices and create space to store new material that may come in over the next 10 years.
POWERED HIGH DENSITY SYSTEM LETS STUDENTS ACCESS AISLES WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON
The new solution includes 2 powered high density mobile systems with cantilever library shelving, and LED canopy lighting that lights each aisle as it opens.
The powered high density system allows students to access aisles with the push of a button. It features a Zero Force Sensor (ZFS) passive safety system that ensures each student operating the unit can do so safely. ZFS is an infrared photoelectric system that prevents a carriage from moving when a person or object is detected, and immediately stops movement in an aisle if a student enters as it’s closing.
We also installed a large mechanical assist high density system in the library’s back room to store and protect world-renowned archival collections in Canadian theatre, landscape architecture, rural history, and Scottish culture.
NEW LIBRARY STORAGE CREATES SPACE TO COLLABORATE WITH ROOM TO GROW
With a tight timeline of just 6 weeks to install, the new storage solution has allowed the library to condense 2 floors of collections to just 1. They now have more space for students to work and collaborate, more offices for staff, and a modern environment with room to grow.
“The professionals at Spacesaver Solutions were creative and highly committed to meeting our needs. They did a great job on the project and we consider them partners that we would be happy to work with again.”
