The Library Annex: Message from the Dean

Dear Library User:

The Library Annex now under construction on West Campus will dramatically improve our services to users of the University of Kansas Libraries on the Lawrence campus.

How will a library storage facility improve services? We’ve identified at least three distinct ways.

First, by enabling us to increase the space available for library users in our six library facilities. With over 4 million volumes already in our collections, and more than 50,000 new volumes added every year, library materials require new shelf space at the rate of 1.6 miles per year. More shelves mean fewer computer workstations, fewer tables and chairs for individual study, and fewer group study spaces.

Second, by relieving the shelving pressures in our campus libraries, circulating materials are checked-in and re-shelved more quickly, and stacks are less densely packed with materials, making browsing and retrieval easier for users.

Finally, by enabling us to move lesser-used materials to a separate facility, we can better insure the long-term preservation of all library materials, thus assuring their accessibility to users for years to come.

Over the past two years, the Libraries have transferred nearly 200,000 volumes to two temporary annex facilities. As you may have noticed, we’ve been able to significantly increase and reconfigure user space in Watson, Anschutz and Spahr Engineering libraries in the last few months. Watch for more improvements along these lines in the months ahead.

If you have ideas you’d like us to consider as we continue to increase and enhance user space in our libraries, please use our online
Comments and Suggestions to let us know your thoughts.

Stella Bentley
Dean of Libaries