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The reason an organization constructs a facility for storage of books and other materials is essentially to provide an extension of the shelving in the library. The computerized locator system that is used for managing the storage facility in conjunction with the library's finding system provides a seamless tracking system that allows circulation for all materials with only a slight delay for delivery.
All material that is placed into the storage facility can be easily removed and permanently relocated to a library or other institution. However, most high-density storage facilities are used for low circulation materials and this means that most of the materials may never be removed from the facility.
Since the intention is to store materials essentially forever, a different approach should be taken to the design of the building and the storage system. Most buildings are designed with a definable life (usually 30-40 years) with the intention that they will be replaced. Building codes are usually based on the 100-year occurrences of storms, snowfalls or other weather or seismic conditions.
Since the books and materials that are stored in a high density storage facility are intended for very long-term storage the design of the building must also be designed so that it will outlast its contents. This means that the building should be designed differently from a building which is intended to have a 30-40 year life. Following are some specific design issues:
1. The mechanical systems for the storage building should provide the optimum environment for storage of books and other cellulose materials. The current recommended environment is a constant 50 degrees F. and 30% relative humidity. This environment elongates the useful life of books by 3-4 times the life in a normal library.
2. The building should be designed so that most future repairs can be made from the outside. The materials stored in the shelving should not be subjected to great environment changes or off-gassing from materials used to repair a building from the inside. This means that the vapor barrier between the outside humid air and the dry air inside the facility must never be compromised.
3. For the above reason, roofing and wall systems that cannot be replaced without opening up the building should not be used. This design element favors use of membrane or similar roofing.
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