Phase 1: Main Library Storage, Summer 2003
During the summer of 2003, the Library began the process of preparing
all materials in Main Library Storage for moving into the ASRS, by adding
barcodes, etc. The construction of The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
will eliminate all the existing Main Library Storage locations, where
the environmental conditions have not been good for the Library's materials.
All Main Library Storage materials will be moved to the ASRS upon its
completion in early 2005.
Phase 2: Rare Books & Special Collections and University Archives,
early 2005
Books, maps, photos, and high-use archives will be located on closed compact
shelves in the north wing of The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. The
ASRS will house artifacts and the majority of the University Archives.
Specific sections of the ASRS will be dedicated to Rare Books & Special
Collections and University Archives.
Phase 3: Main Library Stacks, early 2005
The demolition in the spring of 2005 of the south and east wings
of the
Main Library will require the relocation of the entire contents of the
Main Library Stacks. Items in the Main Library Stacks will be moved
to one of three places: open shelves in the newly constructed north
wing of The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (which has the capacity
for 450,000 volumes), Koerner Library (which now has the additional
capacity of approximately 130,000 volumes thanks to the installation
of compact shelving on Level 1), or the ASRS, according to guidelines
developed by collections librarians in consultation with the Library
Advisory Committees.
Phase 4: Relief for overcrowded branches, 2006
The Asian Library, MacMillan Library, and the Music Library are extremely
crowded branches; in order to provide optimal space for users and collections,
it is critical that they find alternative space for a subset of their
lesser-used materials. It is expected that they will be given the next
priority for transferring materials into the ASRS.
Phase 5: Ongoing and regular transfer from all branches to the ASRS,
2006+
It is expected that as branches get crowded or reconfigure their space,
they will need to transfer materials. Because the UBC Library has the
policy to retain one copy of all materials that it acquires for use
by future generations, guidelines will be created by each branch in
consultation with their Library Advisory Committee for transfers of
materials to the ASRS. In certain subject areas it can be advantageous
to remove out-of-date material in order to improve the browsability
of the branch collection (medical and business materials, for example).
Project Timeline 