Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS): What Is It?

The ASRS is the latest technology for library automated storage and retrieval. UBC is the first library in Canada to use this technology to provide fast, easy and effective storage and retrieval for all library users. The ASRS at UBC is located inside the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (at 1961 East Mall) and it has a capacity of 1.6 million volumes. The online request system allows you to search, request and retrieve an item in minimal time. Your item will be ready for pickup at Main Library within minutes. In the near future, you will be able to select any Library branch for pickup, and the item will be there for you by the next business day (Monday through Friday). Access the ASRS through UBC Library’s Web home page: www.library.ubc.ca, or follow these instructions on how to retrieve materials from the ASRS.

 

What is in the ASRS?

Materials previously kept in the closed storage areas of Main Library as well as materials selected by Library bibliographers and advisory committees are housed in the ASRS. These materials include:

• Older and lesser used social science materials
• Pre-1978 language and literature in Slavic, East European, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Asian languages
• UBC theses
• Older editions of children’s literature
• Vinyl LPs
• Books in Indic languages not taught at UBC
• Music bound periodicals (a selection)
• Science & engineering bound periodicals (except for the last 10 years of titles not readily available online)

See the additional Library Collections in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre ASRS, or refer to these materials by call number.

Many of the Library’s advisory committees provided valuable advice and assistance in developing the criteria for materials to be housed in the ASRS.

Who else is using automated storage and retrieval?

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas http://www.library.unlv.edu/
• Cornell University http://www.library.cornell.edu/
• Waseda University http://www.waseda.jp
• University of Louisville http://library.louisville.edu/