The development of The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC), including the construction of an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) has begun. The ASRS presents an opportunity for the UBC Library to address critical space, preservation and storage issues for its collections, while keeping the collections easily accessible. The ASRS's capacity of 1.4 million volumes is equivalent to 15 years of collection growth for the UBC Library. In addition to the ASRS, the IKBLC includes open shelving, and compact shelving.

The UBC Library is the first in Canada to utilize the ASRS technology. The system was first used in industry and was adopted by libraries fifteen years ago. It consists of various sized bins stored on a rack system that are retrieved by automated cranes. To retrieve materials, users make a request through the Library's online catalogue. Using the book's barcode as the locating device, the automated mini-load crane identifies the bin that holds the item and delivers it to the circulation desk. A Library staff member retrieves the requested item from the bin and holds it for pickup by the requester. The entire retrieval process takes about 2 minutes.

The ASRS is scheduled to open in the new north wing of the IKBLC in mid-2005. The policies for the selection of materials to be located in the ASRS as well as the relocation of other materials are being developed and refined in consultation with the Library's users, specifically the Library Advisory Committees.

The Library's proposed selection criteria are now being considered by the Library Advisory Committees. The proposed criteria include:

• to move most humanities material (pre 1978 imprints) to Koerner Library;
• to split most social sciences (pre 1978 imprints) between Koerner Library and the IKBLC open stacks,
• to move the majority of Fine Arts materials to the IKBLC open stacks,
• to move Science & Engineering books to the IKBLC open stacks,
• and to move Science & Engineering bound journals, that were published prior to a year yet to be determined, to the ASRS.
  

This web site will serve as a current resource for proposals and decisions as they are made.