USC Library
Challenge
The USC Creative Arts Library building contains over 1.5 million volumes within its 81,000-square-foot structure. With the need for new workstations and worktables and the high volume of books coming into the library, they needed a way to centralize storage for staff and students on campus.
McMurray Stern was tasked with furnishing and installing one high-density mobile mechanical assist system with mechanical safety sweeps that would allow the library to free up space.
Solution
McMurray Stern used USC’s existing cantilever shelving on all the new mobile carriages and platforms, thus saving money and protecting their original investment in the shelving. McMurray Stern also designed a high-density mobile mechanical assist system, a cost-effective way to store a large number of books in a small amount of space, and a mechanical safety sweep that would ensure books were properly stored and accessible for years to come.
McMurray Stern worked with the USC Library to provide all of the necessary data, plans, and structural engineering calculations that allowed a permit to be easily secured from the City of Los Angeles. McMurray Stern increased the library’s storage density by over 2x, doubling its existing capacity within the same amount of space. The shelving has also made it easier for staff to retrieve materials more efficiently. As a result, the USC Creative Arts Library is now better able to meet the needs of its patrons and provide an excellent level of service.
