Bertrand Russell Archives Storage

Bertrand Russell Archives Storage

NEW LIBRARY SHELVING SHOWCASES AND PROTECTS ARCHIVES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

In 1968 McMaster University Library acquired the archives and personal library of famed British philosopher, social and peace activist, and Nobel Laureate, Bertrand Russell. It has since become one of their most heavily used research collections with scholars from all over the world coming to McMaster to use the archives in their research.

UNIVERSITY WORKS WITH LOCAL ARCHITECTS TO DESIGN A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of McMaster’s acquisition of the Bertrand Russell Archives, the University worked with local architects to design a state-of-the-art facility to house the collection. The facility, located at the University’s Sterling Street entrance, was formerly a private residence that was fully renovated and converted in just nine months.

The most important part of the renovation was making sure that the archives were properly stored and protected, so they reached out to the experts at Spacesaver Solutions Inc. 

A HIGH DENSITY SYSTEM, WOOD-TEK SHELVING AND DAY USE LOCKERS PROTECT AND BEAUTIFULLY DISPLAY THE ARCHIVES

Our Storage Expert met with McMaster’s librarians to design a solution to safely house Bertrand Russell’s large and diverse archives and a significant collection of books and other published materials across three separate areas. We designed a mechanical assist high-density system, Wood-Tek 4-Post shelving, and Day Use Lockers.

The University converted what was once a garage into a secure, climate controlled room, and we installed a mechanical assist high density system with recessed rails. This system maximizes the storage space in the room while ensuring the archives are properly stored and preserved.

In the reading room and a display area, we installed Wood-Tek 4-Post shelving to beautifully house much of the book collection. This shelving is a unique blend of wood and steel, featuring a wood front for a classic look, and a non off gassing metal frame to protect the collection. The system is completely adaptable and adjusts to the Library’s changing needs as the collection grows.

For the security of the collection, the University Library’s requirements included a place for researchers to store their personal belongings while in the Archives, We designed a metal bodied locker system with high pressure laminate doors and Digilock Axis Locks. The locks can be programmed for each new person and reset for the next researcher when they’re finished.

The librarians and staff are thrilled with their new space and systems that protect and display their collection.

The University Library has worked with Spacesaver Solutions Inc. on a number of projects over the years, but the Bertrand Russell Archives was something special. We’re delighted with the results both in the traditional compact shelving and the public areas of the archives, where the Wood-Tek shelving and Day Use Lockers allow us to showcase and protect the collection for future generations of researchers.

- Wade Wyckoff

Associate University Librarian, Collections, McMaster University

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The Flamborough Archives Storage

The Flamborough Archives Storage

POWERED MOBILE SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR SAFE ARCHIVE STORAGE AND EASY ACCESSIBILITY

The Flamborough Archives is run by volunteers who collect and preserve archival material relating to the history, people, buildings, and communities within the area of Flamborough. The Flamborough Archives needed help with archive storage as they had to move out of their building so that it could be torn down and rebuilt as a beautiful new multipurpose municipal space.

The main challenge was that the new space was going to be smaller than what they had before. They needed help fitting everything into the space so they called the experts at Spacesaver Solutions Inc.

CUSTOMIZED STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Spacesaver Solutions Inc. worked with Flamborough Archives to create a system that would meet all of their needs, while staying within a strict budget. Our Storage Experts designed a unique solution that would hold different archival material – everything from records to artwork, safely within the system.

We provided a Powered Eclipse High Density Storage System with custom wood panels made from local reclaimed wood. On the back wall of the Flamborough Archives storage area is an art rack that holds precious artwork.

In addition to the high-density archive storage system, we also provided an archival documents move service to ensure that everything was properly transported and placed carefully into the new system.

The Flamborough Archives staff were so thrilled with the end result and our work, that they wrote a beautiful thank you note.

On behalf of Lyn, the volunteers at the Flamborough Archives and myself, I want to thank you for all the work you undertook to produce our beautiful mobile storage system – it is truly wonderful and we are all ‘in love with it’.

I also want to thank you and everyone at Spacesaver Solutions Inc. for your patience with the Heritage Society in the length of time it took to complete the project – I know it was entirely beyond our control, but like us, at times you must have wondered if it would ever end.

Please convey to Ms. Indira our appreciation of her contribution to the project – she exhibited the highest professionalism in all her dealings with Lyn and I from the very beginning with the organization, dealing with all the frustrations and complications of the move out of Hamilton to being on hand to see us come back to Waterloo.

Finally, Lyn and I want to express our thanks to the four young men who moved the Archives – they worked extremely hard over the two days, were always polite, accommodating, and careful with our holdings and furniture. They are to be congratulated for their work ethic.

Again, thank you to everyone involved with the project.

- Sylvia Wray

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Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Archives Storage

Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Archives Storage

ARCHIVES STORAGE WITH ROOM TO GROW

The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada supports 1000 churches across the country with its headquarters located in Mississauga. It is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2019, and with that anniversary, comes 100 years of archives.

When PAOC wanted to expand and upgrade their archives Rev. Jim Craig knew they would need a lot of archives storage in a small footprint, with room to grow so he contacted the experts at Spacesaver Solutions. Our storage experts worked with Jim to design two areas designated for storage. One area for accounting records, and the other area for the archives.

ARCHIVES PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO DISCOVER

The archive is a well-lit room kept under lock and key. The entire space is climate controlled to ensure the large collection of paper documents, video tapes, audio cassettes, 16mm films, photographs, glass slides, CDs, DVDs, and more are all reserved for future generations to discover.

MAXIMIZING VERTICAL SPACE WITH HIGH DENSITY STORAGE

Several mechanical assist high density storage systems line the length of the archive room with each carriage nine levels high to maximize the vertical space. The shelves are also quite deep, exposing very little of the cases – only the ends of each box are exposed. This helps to protect the boxes in case the sprinkler system goes off. The less of the box exposed, the less likely anything inside will be damaged.

A SYSTEM THAT WILL GROW WITH THE ARCHIVES

The other archives storage area holds the accounting records. The space was designed with a large mechanical assist mobile system. Each accounting record is neatly boxed away and shelved on the mammoth system. Jim is thrilled with the new mobile system and sees more carriages being added in the future with the possibility of retrofitting the area with climate control systems and converting it into a second archives.

AN ONGOING PARTNERSHIP

We continue to work with Jim and PAOC in an ongoing partnership to ensure that all the dates, names, and events are stored away safely.

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