Page 5 - 2018 Spring Newsletter

LIBRARY ANNEX KEEPS GROWING

Since 2014, more than 580,000 library materials (421,159 books and 168,612 bound periodicals) out of the 1.2 million
items have been shelved at the Library Annex, a high-density shelving facility just a 5-minute drive from the TCU
campus.

The building features 22,000 square feet for high-density
shelving that when filled will house an estimated 2.4 million
volumes. An additional 3,000 square feet has high-density
shelving and has been conditioned for special collections
materials. Another 4,230 square feet supports the facility with
staff and student employee offices and processing space.

Annex growth since 2014
Unlike most library environments, the volumes are organized by size rather than subject.
Each item is barcoded and shelved on 16-feet-high units. The staff uses two automated machines to retrieve material. The
Crown Wave Work Assist Vehicle is used to help retrieve materials from the high-bay shelving and the Lift’n Buddy helps
raise large and heavy trays from the lower shelves. The unique organization maximizes the space at the Annex. As the
main library’s collection grows, so does the Annex collection. Materials are transitioned daily from one place to another as
a matter of managing shelf space at the main library. Donated items are also housed at the Annex.

“To maintain access to these materials for patrons, we offer weekday retrieval and delivery of whole journal volumes
and books,” said access services librarian Kristen Barnes. “We can also scan journal articles and book chapters from the
Annex via our document delivery service.”

Our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) department is also located at the Annex. ILL is very busy as they provide service to all TCU
students, faculty and staff, allowing them to borrow from other libraries if items are not available at the TCU Library.
Additionally, they can borrow journal articles, microfilm, DVDs, books, book chapters, maps and sometimes pictures of a
book or journal cover or other images.

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