These facilities allow those academic libraries to maintain their current collections and to accommodate new materials and technologies. These depositories store low-demand items, which then saves existing library space for other use. The construction of only a few high-density storage facilities is meeting the needs of the academic libraries across the state and has proved cost effective. Instead of incurring the cost of building new additions to many state university libraries, five regional depositories were constructed. Savings are increased because the depositories are high-density storage accommodating more material in less space than regular library shelving.
Material is arranged by height and width instead of call number order.
Books and journals are placed in storage trays. In most of the depositories, the shelves are 30 feet high and require a man-aboard lift for access. This does not allow for patron browsing. Three of the depositories put the storage location directly in the item record of the online library catalog. The other two programs use InfoTrak, a record center software.