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
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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
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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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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
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
Tables with chairs, computer stations,
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
Tables with chairs, computer stations,
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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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
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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