Automated Storage & Retrieval System

From Storage to Service

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v38i4.11273

Abstract

The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Oviatt Library was the first library in the world to integrate an automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) into its operations. The AS/RS continues to provide efficient space management for the library. However, added value has been identified in materials security and inventory as well as customer service. The concept of library as space, paired with improved services and efficiencies, has resulted in the AS/RS becoming a critical component of library operations and future strategy. Staffing, service, and security opportunities paired with support and maintenance challenges, enable the library to provide a unique critique and assessment of an AS/RS.

Author Biographies

Justin Kovalcik, California State University, Northridge

Justin D. Kovalcik has served as a Circulation Manager, Computer Lab Manager, Microsystems Analyst, Systems Analyst, Librarian Web Developer, and Director of Library Information Technology having worked at the University of Houston, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, The National Military Academy of Afghanistan and now for California State University. In his current role for the CSUN Oviatt Library, he directs IT operations and has the unique responsibility and challenge of managing and administering the first Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) used by a library in the world. Justin can be contacted at Justin.Kovalcik@csun.edu or through LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdkovalcik/.

Mike Villalobos, California State University, Northridge

Mike Villalobos began his library career in 2000, as a Weekend and Night Desk Supervisor for the Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge. He has been currently serving as the Circulation Services Supervisor for the last 10 years.  As a Circulation Services Supervisor, he is responsible for the main customer service desk, shelving services and for the operational supervision of the Automated Storage and Retrieval System. Over the last 19 years, he has garnered extensive experience with the operations and service of the AS/RS.  Mike can be contacted at Mike.Villalobos@csun.edu.

References

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“About CSUN,” California State University, Northridge, February 2, 2019, https://www.csun.edu/about-csun.

“Colleges,” California State University, Northridge, May 8, 2019, https://www.csun.edu/academic-affairs/colleges.

“Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS),” CSUN Oviatt Library, https://library.csun.edu/About/ASRS.

Norma S. Creaghe and Douglas A. Davis. “Hard Copy in Transition: An Automated Storage and Retrieval Facility for Low-Use Library Materials,” College & Research Libraries 47, no. 5 (September 1986): 495-99, https://doi.org/10.5860/crl_47_05_495.

Linda Shirato, Sarah Cogan, and Sandra Yee, “The Impact of an Automated Storage and Retrieval System on Public Services.” Reference Services Review 29, no. 3 (September 2001): 253-61, https://doi.org/10.1108/eum0000000006545.

Sarah E. Kirsch, “Automated Storage and Retrieval—The Next Generation: How Northridge’s Success is Spurring a Revolution in Library Storage and Circulation,” paper presented at the ACRL 9th National Conference, Detroit, Michigan, April 8-11 1999, http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/conferences/pdf/kirsch99.pdf.

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Published

2019-12-16

How to Cite

Kovalcik, J., & Villalobos, M. (2019). Automated Storage & Retrieval System: From Storage to Service. Information Technology and Libraries, 38(4), 114–124. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v38i4.11273

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 4 (2019)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Justin Kovalcik, Mike Villalobos

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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