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Case Study

July-August 2008

High Density Shelving Solves Space Problem for Gelman Library

By ASRS Elecompack

Several years ago, the Gelman Library at George Washington University in Washington, DC, faced a crisis. Like many other institutions, they were faced with an expanding collection of materials to store, but due to budget cutbacks, were not able to expand their facility to meet their growing need. They knew that to exist without a building program, high density shelving would be needed in the library.

They started looking at their choices for mobile storage, investigating Elecompack by Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), as well as several other manufacturers. In the end, they chose the Elecompack system because of the inherent safety in its design. The system utilizes a four-post reverse cantilever shelving. The upright recesses five inches into the carriage to provide a secure and safe connection of shelving and carriage. This design was created primarily as a precaution to prevent tipping.

A feature that the university particularly liked, is the independent adjustability of shelves on both faces of a double face shelving unit. "This allows for the flexibility that a straight thru shelf cannot," states Ms. Sharon Lincoln, Executive Coordinator of Personnel and Operations.

The library purchased several large Elecompack electrical mobile shelving systems, helping to

maximize their space utilization, while providing the safety measures they required due to constant access by students, faculty and library patrons. When undertaking a project of this magnitude, there is always a concern regarding what the final outcome will be. “We were delighted that there were never any surprises. We were given exactly what we were told we would be given, on time, and we were kept apprised every step of the way as to what would be happening,” says Ms. Lincoln. “What looked to be a monumental task when we planned the project, thanks to ASRS, MH&A and Interior Metals, turned into a very manageable project,” concluded Ms. Lincoln, “Elecompack made the move easy.”

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