The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin's largest daily paper, utilizes multifunctional high-density mobile systems to improve its storage of news resource and reference information. When the newsroom was remodeled, they took the opportunity to create a more comprehensive resource library by centralizing all materials. Given space constraints, they accomplished this by storing items in a highly efficient manner.
Prior to the remodel, materials and information were scattered throughout the building, in different departments and storage areas. It was difficult and time consuming for reporters and library staff to locate necessary information to complete a story.
"I had to find a way to bring everything together in one library collection," said Rosemary Jensen, news information center manager. "People do not use materials if they are difficult to access. My goal in using high-density storage was to get things in one place and make them more accessible."
The staff chose a Spacesaver Programmable Electric system with a Zero Force Safety system, a completely passive safety feature, to ensure that the mobile system was easy to use and provided the safety necessary when library access was open to non-staff members.
The locking feature on the system was also a plus. With very rare photos and clippings, this offered an opportunity to stop any potential pilferage and protect historical and highly valuable items.
Facilities architect, Tammy Haberman explained that the system was designed specific to the type of media stored and includes 17 different shelving configurations. "The local Spacesaver representative came in and did everything," she said. "There was a thorough analysis of all of the materials and specialized storage solutions were developed for each type of media stored."
Books are stored on cantilever shelving and periodicals are displayed in a browsing area on hinged periodical shelves. Old clips stored in small envelopes are placed in plastic trays on shelves. Maps and other oversized materials are stored in large hanging files and photographic prints are stored in standard sized hanging files.
The system also features mail slots for staff members and easily accessible end-aisle shelving for phone books. Expansive drawer storage for microforms and flat storage for bound newspaper copies are also included. "The system holds everything you can imagine and it takes up one-fourth of the space that our material used to occupy," Haberman said. "Now we can use the space that was previously taken up for other things."
Jensen was pleased with the way the mobile system has made the newsroom reporter's and editor's jobs more efficient and accurate. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week all of the resources needed to complete a story are easily available to the more than 350 journalists. "I love the mobile system," explained Jensen. "When there is a breaking news story and the news staff needs historical clippings or photos, they can access it in a matter of minutes."
