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Innovative Storage Solutions Lend Themselves To a Spacious and Modern Library Transformation

Wentworth Institute of Technology has always been a leading technical design and engineering university in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. They were founded in 1904 and have been producing innovators ever since. Their interdisciplinary curriculum combines rigorous studies with practical learning experiences and they needed a better facility to support that.

Storage Challenges

 

When the Wentworth Institute of Technology kicked off its library renovation project in August of 2015 their goal was to  transform a very traditional library into a dynamic and technologically rich learning space which would allow students to learn in their own way. In order to give their existing library a new identity (or interior) they needed to bring more light into the building, open up collection spaces to be used for student areas, and completely retrofit their existing storage and shelving.

Through designing shelving and storage solutions that would play into the open and bright interior of the new library and  help save space to open up more room for study areas and Makerspaces, we were able to help achieve these goals.

We implemented two High Density Mobile Shelving systems which now house 75% of the library’s collection, supplemented some static Cantilever Shelving, and incorporated magazine and article storage for a clean display of all collections.

Once the construction began in April of 2016 they were only 5 short months away from completing their goal, and giving the student body at Wentworth the library they’ve always wanted. To quote an interview with Kevin Kidd, the Library Director at Wentworth: “Books are fundamental, still, to some of the programs we have here at Wentworth, but what we are doing is using a much more efficient use of space.”

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Space for Students

 

One of the main goals of the Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons renovation was to open up more space for students to collaborate. Through using High-Density Shelving Wentworth was able to consolidate their collections and open up more space for students.

Structural challenges?

 

Many Colleges and Universities struggle to find space within their libraries because campuses are typically landlocked and buildings often do not have enough space to accommodate additions. One reason we believe retrofits and repurposing projects are preferable for Colleges and Universities over new construction is that it saves money in construction, and there are so many ways to use existing, underutilized space. One of the challenges in this project was working around the columns while still maximizing the space around it. We were able to make this High Density Mobile System work around these structural features in order to provide them with maximum collections storage capacity.

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Custom shelving along these windows allows for additional book storage in places you might not have seen as storage space before. Using half stacks of shelves can help let more light into the room and create a pleasing aesthetic.

There are two ways to save space within a college library. One is to move collections off site, and the other is to implement High Density Mobile Shelving to maximize capacity. Wentworth Institute of Technology utilized this concept and it not only created more open space for student involvement but it also created more room for collections growth in the future. Many shelves in their High Density system were left open in preparation for new materials.

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Award Winning Design

 

The Douglas D. Schumann Library and Learning Commons renovation won two awards: the IFMA (International Facilities Management Association) Boston Chapter’s “Best Practices: Medium Project” award, and the IIDA (International Interior Design Association) New England Chapter “Best Educational Design” award. New storage, furniture, and a twist to their traditional interior has completely transformed the library at the Wentworth Institute of Technology into a learning commons that students can use well into the future.

Learn more about this project  in an article written by the Planning for Higher Education Journal.

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DONNEGAN SYSTEMS INC
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Donnegan Systems Headquarters
170 Bartlett Street
Northborough, MA 01532

800-222-6311
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Copyright 2018 Donnegan Systems
  • We help with…
    • Office Storage Solutions
      • Day Use Lockers
      • Workplaces Reimagined – Storage for the Modern Office
      • Office Casework Solutions
    • Healthcare Storage
      • Medical Casework Solutions
      • CoreSTOR Nurse Server
      • Wire Shelving
    • Library Storage
    • Military Storage
    • Museum Storage
    • Public Safety Storage
      • Narcotics Evidence Locker
      • Fast Response Locker
      • Weapons Evidence Locker
    • Warehouse/Industrial Storage
      • Vertical Lift Modules
        • Aviation and Aerospace Warehouse Storage
        • Oil and Gas Warehouse Storage
        • Automotive Warehouse Storage
      • Cannabis Vertical Growing Racks
      • Rousseau Storage Solutions
    • Sports Team Storage
    • Document Management
      • Service Bureau
  • Storage Products
    • Featured Products
      • Cannabis Vertical Growing Racks
      • Mobile Shelving Systems
      • Workplaces Reimagined – Storage for the Modern Office
      • Suspended Mobile Shelving
    • Hamilton Casework Solutions
      • Education Casework Solutions
        • Casework Lockers
        • Reception Spaces
        • Lab Storage
        • Mail Centers and Sort Modules
      • Office Casework Solutions
        • Mail Centers and Sort Modules
        • Reception Spaces
        • Casework Lockers
        • Pantries
        • Desks and Bookcases
        • Work and Copy Rooms
      • Medical Casework Solutions
        • Lab Storage
        • Patient and Exam Rooms
        • Pharmacy Casework Solutions
    • Mobile Shelving Systems
      • Standard Mobile Shelving
      • Manual Mobile
      • Mechanical Assist Mobile Shelving
      • Powered Mobile Shelving
      • Low Profile Mobile Shelving
      • Heavy Duty Mobile Shelving Systems
      • Suspended Mobile Shelving
    • Metal Shelving Solutions
      • Library Shelving
      • RaptorRAC Wide Span Metal Shelving
      • Wire Shelving
      • 4-Post and Case Type Shelving
    • Modular Storage
    • Lockers
      • Day Use Lockers
      • Casework Lockers
      • Personal Storage Locker
      • Evidence Storage Locker
      • Weapons Locker
    • Museum and Fine Arts Storage
      • Art Storage Racks
      • Museum Grade Cabinets
    • Warehouse Racking
      • Cannabis Vertical Growing Racks
      • Heavy-Duty Mobile Racking System
      • Wide Span Metal Shelving
      • Off-Site Storage Systems
    • Rousseau Storage Solutions
    • Vertical Storage Solutions
      • Vertical Tire Carousel
      • Hospital Bed Storage
      • Vertical Lift Modules
        • Oil and Gas Warehouse Storage
        • Aviation and Aerospace Warehouse Storage
        • Automotive Warehouse Storage
  • Downloads
  • Portfolio
    • Image Gallery
    • Video Gallery
      • Public Safety Video
      • Vidir Video
      • Laboratory Storage Video
      • Movable Shelving Video
      • Healthcare Video
      • Materials Handling Video
    • Projects
      • Innovative Storage Helps Boston Area Hospital Provide Better Patient Care
      • Wentworth Institute of Technology: Douglas D. Schumann Library and Learning Commons
      • Duxbury MA Police Department
  • Designer Resources
  • About Us
    • Service Bureau
      • Document Services
      • Managing Paper Files
      • Professional Services
    • Blog
    • Community Involvment
    • Satisfied Clients
Donnegan Systems Inc.