Our Library is not the only location to have an ARS included. We included it to save money while still allowing access to material without resorting to off-site storage or use expensive high density shelving. Here you may find other locations who have included AS/RS, plan to include AS/RS, are thinking about, or have thought about including AS/RS in their library.

(More below)

Other locations:

Presently (July 16, 2002) 4 libraries have included similar AS/RS as part of their process, while 1 has created a different kind of system in-house:

CSU Northridge was the first to include one and go live. (HK Systems)
Eastern Michigan University was second to include one and go live. (HK Systems)
University of Nevada Las Vegas was third to include one but fourth to go live. (HK Systems)
IUC from Japan has an ASRS according to their online help docs IUC = International Christian University of Japan.(Unknown)
Sonoma State University was fourth to include one but third to go live. (HK Systems)
John Hopkin's University has installed a different kind of Book Robot from the other four mentioned above and those considered by the libraries below. (In House or unknown)

Construction is presently planned or underway:

Valparaiso University has pictures available and status of their ASRS available.(HK Systems)
You can also view their floorplans. A notice was made available (Jan. 30, 2003) that HK Systems has been awarded this project. View their PDF file press release. (HK Systems: start January, 30, 2003)
Chicago State University has a page discussing a new library at http://www.csu.edu/library/newlibfactsheet.htm Earlier versions of this document suggested Chicago State University planned to include an AS/RS. See View the Official (same PDF file in co-announcement for Valparaiso above) announcement for Valpariso and Chicago State University signing with HK Systems. (HK Systems: start January, 30, 2003)
The Ike Barber Learning Center at UBC in Canada Has plans to include an ASRS.
The William F. Ekstrom Library at the University of Louisville, Kentucky has plans to build a new ASRS as part of their building expansion project.
Quote from "Diane M Nichols" diane.nichols@louisville.edu on the expansion project out at the The William F. Ekstrom Library at the University of Louisville, Kentucky:
We hope to be the first library in Kentucky, the southeast and possibly the first ARL library to build such a facility.
Loyola Marymount University has published a statement of intent to build an ASRS in their new library project. There is also a non-university link to a story on Loyola Marymount University plans to include a new ASRS in their library
University of British Columbia, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre: (official Announcement) http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2002/mr-02-92.html (and an outside report on this) http://www.delta-optimist.com/101202/news/101202nn2.html
And an official Press Release from HK Systems on their winning this bid: Download Word Document Press release from HK Systems. (I have been granted permission to republish this document on the web.)
Santa Clara University (California) is also planning to build an ASRS for their library. Information of this was covered in a press release from HK Systems:
And an official Press Release from HK Systems on their winning this bid: Download Word Document Press release from HK Systems. (I have been granted permission to republish this document on the web.)

Presently (February 23, 2003) I know of other libraries that have announced their intentions to add a modern AS/RS to their process: (These are from official announcements or personal knowledge.)

Simon Fraser University Library is planning to build one.
The National Library of Norway, new Repository Library is planning to include an AS/RS. (Original page:
http://www.depotbibliotek.no/index.html)
Utah State University is examining inclusion of such a system in their new library. I found out about this while providing consulting service in Salt Lake City, UT. (no published links yet)
National and University Library of Slovenia (in Ljubljana) has a page that mentions a new library will include an automated storage and retreival system.

Some location have published paperwork on the web demonstrating consideration of an AS/RS in a library. Links to these papers are provided below (when possible) for libraries that are reviewing inclusion of AS/RS.

An Oxford Library and other Oxford Libraries have directors who will be meeting in March (2003) to review possible use of an Automated Storage System to work with their libraries. Building restrictions, finanaces, and politics have set a stage to make inclusion of AS/RS in their new plans an excellent alternative. Several decision makers will be meeting in March to hear how an AS/RS could help solve some of their present problems with offsite storage and a need to retrofit older building used to house books. (Information gained by me from private correspondance with John Duffy (jad@bodley.ox.ac.uk) okayed for replublishing by him.) (Presently, there are no direct links to this project, but if the project is okayed, they will likely have a webite. Once I have a URL, it will be included here. Lastly, the meeting is not an open meeting - just for employees in-house.)
Colgate: http://newbuilding.colgate.edu/uploads/Meeting%20Notes,%20November%2020,%202002.docA document with suggestion Colgate was considering ASRS as late as November 20, 2002.
University of Denver, Penrose Library: http://www.du.edu/nca/penrose.pdf
Virginia Tech, University Libraries: http://www.lib.vt.edu/info/stratplan/list.xls mentions inclusion of AS/RS in plans.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: http://gateway.library.uiuc.edu/administration/planningbudget/storage/resources/CICsummary.htm from April 2000 mentions AS/RS.

People at some locations may only be reviewing possibilities for the distant future but are not anywhere close to making decisions: (Some of these may have looked into it, but decided against it. The questions they have had may have been prompted by students conducting research, but I have not asked. When I have something concrete on a decision, I try to update the information.)

University of Nevada, Reno (no links, nothing published)
Michigan State University (no links, nothing published)
University of Tokyo (no links, nothing published)
University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia) (no links, nothing published)
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
National University of Singapore (no links, nothing published)

At least one university has considered it but not included it:

University of Western Ontario (considered it in 1986, but chose an off campus storage solution.)
Yale (I contacted a person at Yale who said they have considered it, but they do not see need for this technology to be included at this time (Sept. 4, 2002))

Comments and/or suggestions?: Email me at: dugan@passwall.com

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