The Archer Library: Its Present Configuration and Space ... · Main 107.25 Poplar Group Study East Reference Serials A - Z 107.2 Open Work Area IT Support Main 107.26 Aspen Group

The Archer Library: Its Present Configuration and Space Planning Considerations

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Background

The Archer Library, designed by renowned architect Minoru

Yamasaki, was erected in 1967. Since inception it has never been

solely occupied by the University of Regina Library’s collections and

staff. At various times various non-Library University units and

individuals have resided in the building such as the Canadian Plains

Research Centre (1984/85 – 2002/03) and the Faculty of Social

Work (1984/85 – 2001/02) – see Appendix 2.

As of 2004, the Library’s collections were merged into the Archer

library building; both the Fine Arts and Education books and

journals had, at one time, been housed in separate locations. More

recently, AV Services’ collection of films (DVDs and videocassettes)

has been transferred to the Library. As well, the Library’s

administrative mandate has been expanded to include the Centre

for Teaching and Learning, which is now resident on the sixth floor.

The Archer Library: People , Collections, and Spaces

The Archer Library is occupied by various physical collections, staff

from various units, and spaces designed for collections and other

dedicated purposes. These include:

People: Library, Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), and

Information Services (IS) employees, and library users

Collections: Monographs and journals, theses, archival

holdings, art work

Spaces: Instructional rooms, public service points, staff

offices, meeting rooms, computer labs, and student seating

and lounging areas

In short, the Archer Library is a mixed-purpose facility that, in its

present configuration, houses collections of different sorts, staff of

different units, various student instructional and seating spaces, and

office spaces. The history of Library shows that it has undergone

remarkable transformations; it may do so again, and assume a

different configuration, but that can only be contemplated with the

support and direction of the University as a whole.

Capacity

In its present configuration, the library is full; it has no capacity to

add collections that may exist elsewhere on campus, or other

administrative units. Where possible, the Library has seized

opportunities for creating student-centred space, most recently by

re-purposing 611.12 on the sixth floor as a microform storage area,

which allowed the creation of study area in the southwest corner of

the main floor.

Library Collections

Finding space in the stacks to house the Library’s growing physical

collections continues to be challenging. Some areas have no room

for new material resulting in overcrowded stacks and items stored

out of sequence or on book trucks. Maintaining overcrowded stacks

is difficult and time consuming, and constantly shifting the

collection is not an efficient use of staff time.

Below is a visual record of the Library’s collection floors. Even in the

absence of direct measurement, it is readily apparent the stacks are

at least “functionally full”, meaning they are at approximately 85%

capacity.1


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Main floor

The collections on this floor are in compact shelving which

maximizes the use of space. However, the shelving for Government

publications is 100% full while other compact shelving is

approximately 86% full.

3rd floor

The 3rd floor is very crowded. Most shelves are approximately 80-

85% full and quite a few completely full. In some cases the stacks

are too high, making it both difficult and dangerous to reach for

both staff and users. The worst areas are in the H, J and M call

number ranges as illustrated in the following pictures:


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The first picture illustrates shelves that are completely full and

books are shelved too high. The second, third and fourth pictures

illustrate the poor shelving practices that are a direct consequence

of lack of available space: books lying on top of books, and books

shelved with the spine down.

4th floor

Shelves are approximately 80-85% full. The N call number range is

90% - 100% full and is a high growth area. Large heavy books in the

N section are shelved too high, making shelving difficult and

dangerous. As well, the top heavy shelving raised concerns about

the shelves’stability, resulting in bracing being added to the top of

the shelves as a safety measure.


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5th floor

This floor is approximately 85% full. Some space has been created

due to the withdrawal of serials that have become available in

electronic form. However, a count of empty shelves confirmed that

this floor is functionally full. Normally, the collection would be

shifted to make more efficient use of the available space, but this is

contingent upon the Library having sufficient resources to do so.

University of Regina Archives

The University of Regina Archives preserves, promotes, and

provides access to the recorded academic and cultural heritage of

the University of Regina. The archival collection consists of original

materials, in all media, relating to the University, its faculty, staff,

and students, dating from the inception of Regina College in 1911 to

the present day. In addition, it holds a nationally-recognized

collection of materials in various areas; significant holdings include

materials relating to visual arts, journalism, and Saskatchewan

literature.

As its collections continue to grow, the storage space assigned for

archival collections is quickly filling up. As of October 2014,

estimates indicate that the Archives is at 93% capacity in its primary

storage areas:


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Library Room 010, the room designated for cumulative student

records, filled to capacity in 2012:

Library Room 008, which is home to University and other collections

of historical significance, as well as collections of sound and moving

image records, is also nearing capacity. This space is also now used

for overflow student records that cannot be accommodated in

Library Room 010:


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Secondary storage areas, including the Library Penthouse in 713.1

(home to architectural drawings, three-dimensional objects and

other oversize items), are also nearing capacity:

The remaining space in all areas is expected to fill quickly as private

records collections and increasing numbers of transfers of materials

from University units continue to be deposited for the Archives’

care. In the near-term, additional space that is secure, easily

accessible and stable (in terms of humidity, temperature and dust)

will be required.

Planning Options

What, then, are the main functions of the Archer Library? In broad

strokes, it is both a hub of student activity and the sole location of

library and archival physical collections. Each of these functions

limits the other: more shelving units can only be added at the

expense of seating or instructional areas, and vice versa.

As has been noted, the shelves for collections are full or

“functionally full”. The Library is managing this situation by weeding

the collection of obsolete materials, and by taking advantage of the

emergence of digital materials.2 While weeding is an ongoing

process of collections maintenance, it is not a tool for significantly

reducing the size of the collection. The Library, after all, has an

archival function of retaining significant collections in perpetuity.

Thus, the status quo (that is, the Archer Library as presently

configured) will present increasingly difficult challenges and

decisions. A planned approach to its future development is

necessary, one that is based on the University’s vision for the

Library, and the changing landscape of resource delivery that is

occurring in the library sector.


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That being said, one might envision the following options: New Library Space: This scenario is part of the 2011

Campus Master Plan. The Plan envisions a site called

Academic Building Expansion, stating “The building’s

additional space can accommodate uses such as the

expansion of the library, which would enable the relocation

of the library service area fronting the Dr. Lloyd Barber

Academic Green, and a new southerly frontage for the

library .”3

Develop Basement: There is considerable unused space in

the basement. This area could be developed as a high-

density storage area for lesser-used collections, archives, or

university records.

Lease Building Space: Some libraries have moved parts of

their collections to leased spaces (such as warehouses) for

off-site storage. Aside from the costs of the lease, there

would be one-time start-up costs (shelving, climate control,

moving costs etc.) and the ongoing costs of building

maintenance and retrieving/returning items to the storage

facility.

March 13, 2015

Contributions from: Crista Bradley, Catherine Folnovic, Michelle

Olson, Peter Resch (Editor), Mark Vajcner, Susan Wilkinson

http://www.uregina.ca/fm/p-d-c/master-plan.html



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NOTES

1. No additional materials may be added with shelves at 100%

capacity. With shelves that are functionally full (85%), additions can

only be made by periodically undertaking major shifts of the

collection.

2. Digital backfiles of journals (notably the collection JSTOR), for

example, improve access for the user, and also enable the removal

from the collection of their print equivalents. In this context the

Library is participating in the Council of Prairie and Pacific University

Libraries (COPPUL) Shared Print Archive Network (SPAN), whose

main goals are to “provide access to shared print archives, create

opportunities for the reallocation of library space, and preserve the

print record for its members in a cost-effective way.”

3. 2011 Campus Master Plan (Regina: University of Regina, August

29, 2011) p. 85. http://www.uregina.ca/fm/p-d-c/master-plan.html

http://www.jstor.org/

http://www.coppul.ca/programs#sthash.qEfUF57S.dpuf



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Appendix 1: Archer Library: Distribution of Collections, Instruction Rooms, And Other Spaces

Archer Library: Distribution of Collections, Instruction Rooms, And Other Spaces

INSTRUCTION/GROUP STUDY/LABS COLLECTIONS SPACES

Floor Room Name Type No./Location Description Call # range No./Location Type Description

Base-ment

008

Archives, Journal

Backfiles n/a

Base-ment

010

Archives (student records) n/a

Main 107.1 Pasqua Group Study Northeast

Government Publications

(Oversize - temporary) CA - UK 107.17 n/a Photocopy Room

Main

East Writing Centre

Collection B - QD 107.18 - .18.4 Open Work Area Circulation/reference

Main 107.14 Echo Lake Group Study East Government Publications US - ZZ 107.18.2 - .18.3 n/a Offices

Main 107.24 Elm Group Study East Reference

Monographs A - Z 107.19 Seating Computer stations

Main 107.25 Poplar Group Study East Reference

Serials A - Z 107.2 Open Work Area IT Support

Main 107.26 Aspen Group Study East Archival storage 107.23 n/a Office

Main 107.27 Dogwood Group Study East Vinyl

Recordings A - X 107.4; 107.5.1

Archives and Special

Collections Study area; storage

East Video A - PN 107.4.1 Open Work Area Archives

Main 107.28 Oak Group Study East Audio CDs M00001 -

M00776 107.4.1.1; 107.3 n/a Offices

Main 107.29 Cottonwood Group Study Southeast Government Publications AS - US 107.6 n/a

Office, archival workspace

Main 107.30 Apple Group Study

Southwest Seating Tables with chairs,

lounge seating

Main 107.31 Maple Group Study

Southeast Seating Tables with chairs, computer stations,

Main 107.32 Regina Instruction/Compute

r Lab


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Main 107.33 Wascana Instruction/Compute

r Lab

Third 308 Grasslands Group Study North Books A - HB West Seating Tables with chairs,

individual study carrels

Third 309 n/a Storage East Books HB - HG Centre (North to

South) Seating

Tables with chairs, computer stations,

lounge seating

South Books HG - MT

West Books Oversize

Fourth

North Books N - PS West Seating Tables with chairs,

individual study carrels

Fourth

East Books PS - PT Centre (North to

South) Seating


lounge seating

Fourth

South Books PT - Z East Seating Individual study carrels

Fourth

West Books Oversize

Fifth 508 Cypress Hills Group Study North Journal A - PN West Seating Tables with chairs, loung

seating

Fifth

East Journal PN - QC Centre (North to

South) Seating


lounge seating

Fifth

South Journal QC - Z East Seating Individual study carrels

Fifth

West Journal Current

Sixth 612 Saskatchewa

n Instruction/Compute

r Lab 611.12 Micromaterials A - Z 610 (West) Open Work Area Library/CTL Reception

Sixth

610 (Northwest) Open Work Area Library/CTL Staff

611 n/a Open Wait Area


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Sixth

610 (Southwest

) n/a Instruction area

611.2 Fisher Meeting (Medium)

611.3 Open Work Area Mail Room/Office

Supplies

611.7 Robarts Meeting (Small)

611.8 Huntington Meeting (Small)

611.9 Folger Meeting (Small)

611.1 n/a Staff Lounge

611.23 n/a Photocopy Room

611.34 n/a Digital Room

611.38 Alexandria Meeting (Large)

611.4.1 Bodleian

Meeting (Medium)/Admin.

Storage

611.4.2 - .5 n/a Offices

611.12.1 - 611.39 n/a Offices

611.20, 611.30 n/a Corner Study

611.4 Open Work Area Technical Services

Pent-house 713.1

Archives (Architectural drawings, 3d

objects, oversize) n/a


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Appendix 2: Dates of Residency of Non-Library Units and Individuals

Dates of Residency of Non-Library Units and Individuals WHOLE UNIT DATES PEOPLE AND SUB UNITS DATES

Saskatchewan Archives Board 1967/68 - 1983/84 Division of Fine Arts - School of Art - Art History 1967/68 - 1969/70

Division of Humanities 1967/68 - 1972/73 Division of Social Sciences - Social Studies - Dr. W. H. Wynn 1968-1969

Division of Natural Sciences - Mathematics

1967/68 - 1972/73 Division of Social Sciences - Sociology - Mr. J. L. Goodman 1968-1969

Division of Modern Languages 1968/69 - 1971/72 Division of Social Sciences - History - Mr. A. R. Turner 1969/70 - 1972/73

Bilingual Programme 1968/69 - 1970/71 Division of Fine Arts - Drama - Dr. A. W. Chadwick 1969-1970

History and Logic of Science 1969/70 - 1972/73 Division of Social Sciences - History - Dr. B. Kazymyra 1970/71 - 1972/73

Awards Office 1970/71 - 1972/73 Division of Social Sciences - History - Mrs. S. Bingaman 1970-1971

Counselling Services 1972/73 - 1996/97 Department of Psychology - Dr. A. W. Gustin 1972/73 - 1975/76

Canadian Plains Research Center 1984/85 - 2002/03 Department of Computer Science - PDP/11 Room 1974/75 - 1976/77

Human Justice Program 1984-1985 Department of History - Mrs. S. Bingaman 1975/76 - 1977/78

Indian History Film Project 1984/85 - 1986/87 Department of Psychology - Mr. R. J. Masek 1975-1976

Faculty of Social Work 1984/85 - 2001/02 Faculty of Science - Neutron Laboratory 1976/77 - 1977/78

School of Human Justice 1985/86 - 1997/98 Department of Psychology - Dr. Pat McGrath 1976/77 - 1979/80

Teaching Development Centre 1996/97 - 2001/02 Department of Psychology - Mr. C. R. Jillings 1976/77 - 1988/89

SPHERU (Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit)

1999/00 - 2001/02 Department of Computing Services - Keypunching Services 1977/78 - 1978/79

CATAL 2010-2011 Employees' Union, Local 1975, CUPE - President 1977/78 - 1978/79

The Centre for Teaching and Learning

2010/11 - present Department of Computer Science - 'RSTS' - CS 102 Lab 1977-1978

Department of History - Dr. John H. Archer 1979-1980

Department of Computing Services - Data Entry Services 1979-1980

Department of Computing Services - Terminal Services 1979-1980

Academic Computing - Technician 1980/81 - 1982/83


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Academic Computing - Programmer Analyst 1980-1981

Academic Computing - Academic Software Consultant 1981/82 - 1983/84

Academic Computing - VAX/VMA Software Support 1983-1984

Department of Physics and Astronomy - Research Laboratories - Laser Spectroscopy

1984/85 - 1986/87

Computing Services - Technician(s) 1984/85; 1990/91

Computing Services - Technical Services 1984/85; 1994/95

Computing Services - Computer Accounts 1985/86 - 1986/87

Students' Union - Information Kiosk (Near Main Library) 1985/86 - 1986/87

Computing Services - Director 1985/86 - 1989/90

Computing Services - Secretary 1985/86 - 1989/90

Computing Services - Computer Systems Consultant(s) 1985/86 - 1991/92

Computing Services - Consultant(s) 1985/86 - 1994/95

Department of Computer Science - Programmer Analyst 1985-1986

Students' Union - Information Coordinator 1987-1988

Students' Union - Information Centre 1988/89 - 1989/90

Department of Psychology - Dr. Brian Sveinson 1989/90 - 1992/93

Computing Services - Receptionist 1990/91 - 1992/93

Computing Services - Computer Operator(s) 1990/91 - 1992/93

Computing Services - Help Desk 1991/92 - 1992/93

Computing Services - Network Services Manager 1991/92 - 1992/93

Computing Services - Operating Systems Managers 1992/93 - 1994/95

AV Services - Computing Services - Director of Library and Information Services

1993/94 - 1994/95

Computing Services - Support Services Manager 1993/94 - 1994/95

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research - The Development Institute of Saskatchewan

1993/94 - 1995/96

Computing Services - Accounts/Stores 1993-1994

Computing Services - Technical Analyst 1993-1994


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Faculty Association - Chair, Grievance Committee 1994/95; 1998/99; 2009/10 - 2011/12

Computing Services - Accounts/Inventory 1994/95; 1999/00 - 2001/02

Department of English - Dr. James McNinch 1996/97 - 1999/00

Department of Geography - Dr. David Gauthier 1996/97 - 2003/04

Department of Physics - Research Labs - Equipment Room 1996-1997

Department of Physics - Research Labs - SPARRO Equipment Room/Lab

1997/98 - 2006/07

School of Human Justice - Assistant Professor - Dr. Erich Schellhammer

1998-1999

Department of Sociology and Social Studies - Douglas Daniels 1998-1999

Computing Services - Network Services 1999/00 - 2001/02

Computing Services - Research and Instructional Computing 1999/00 - 2002/03

Computing Services - Administrative Assistant 1999-2000

Department of Computer Science - CATAL/Student Connection Program

2000/01 - 2009/10

Faculty of Education - Dr. James McNinch 2001-2002

Department of English - Dr. William (Bill) Howard 2004/05 - 2005/06

Department of Physics - Research Labs - SPARRO Research Scientist

2004-2005

Note: From 1995-1996 - 1997-1998 The Library was "Library and Information Services"

Note: When individual faculty members are listed it usually means they were involved with another unit residing in the Library at that time. For example, Psychology faculty member Dr. Brian Sveinson was also the Director of Counselling Services.

Source: University Telephone Directories


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Appendix 3: Library floor plans


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Documents

The Archer Library: Its Present Configuration and Space ... · Main 107.25 Poplar Group Study East Reference Serials A - Z 107.2 Open Work Area IT Support Main 107.26 Aspen Group