Book-Retrieving Robot in a Library

choi

(A) San Francisco State University
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_State_University
(part of the 23-campus California State University system; founded in 1899)

will move its library to a new building: J Paul Leonard Library Building begins phased reopening. Jan 17, 2012
http://library.sfsu.edu/blogs/spotlight/?p=1692
("The Library will reopen in the new building in stages during the spring semester")

That library currently takes four (4) hours to retrieve books through robot, but users complained--a reply to the library's web announcement--that five hours after a request, some but not all books arrived.

Obviously that library still has some hiccups from the new system.

(B) University of Chicago started using the robot in mid May, 2011.

It is my understanding
(i) that frequently used books remain on the open shelves of various libraries (other than the Mansueto library) of University of Chicago (quotation 2 in (c) below)
and (ii) that a book in Mansueto does not belong to/go to the same bin--instead a book will store in any bin that is available at the time and location of a/any book or a bin will be recorded in the computer system (quotation 3 in (c)).  


The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, University of Chicago, undated.
http://mansueto.lib.uchicago.edu/

Note: In the left column of the library web page, please find
(a) Overview
("Designed by Helmut Jahn")

Note:
(i) Helmut Jahn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Jahn
(1940- ; a German-American architect)
(ii) The German/Dutch surname Jahn is a reduced form of personal (given) name Johann(es), which is German version of John. Note: In German (language), the consonant "j" is pronouonced like "y" in English.

(b) Book Retrieval Video

(c) Automated Storage and Retrieval System

Quote:

"The technology underlying high-density automated shelving (known as automated storage and retrieval systems, or ASRS) has been used in other industries for many years. Ford and GM store new cars in such systems. The Chicago Tribune uses an ASRS for assembling its Sunday papers.

"Only in recent years has this type of high-density automated storage technology been adapted from large-scale industries for use in the modern research library. University librarians will select volumes for inclusion in the ASRS that least require browsing, such as journals and serials available in electronic form, and those that benefit most from environmentally stable conditions, such as fragile archival materials.

"All items selected for the ASRS will have their barcodes scanned and will be placed in barcoded bins that will be stored in the ASRS. Each item will be scanned whenever it is removed from and returned to the ASRS, as will the new bin into which the item is deposited. This will allow the Library's computerized systems to track the location of all materials stored in the ASRS at all times * * * Upon request, a robotic crane will retrieve materials stored in the ASRS almost instantaneously (within minutes of a patron's order).

"Smaller ASRS installations are currently in use or planned for only a handful of U.S. research libraries. The University of Chicago's multimillion volume installation will free shelves in the Joseph Regenstein, John Crerar, and D'Angelo Law libraries for materials that faculty, visiting scholars, and students want to discover by serendipitous browsing.

"Dematic, which constructed the the Library's ASRS, prepared this video, which illustrates how the system functions.

Note:
(i) Dematic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dematic
(Dematic Group S.à r.l. based in Luxembourg was recently formed, yet the company has a long tradition. It began in 1819 in Wetter (Ruhr) / Germany with the founding of Demag)
(ii) Wetter (Ruhr)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetter_(Ruhr)
(a town in Ruhr area, Germany)
(iii) Ruhr (river)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruhr_(river)
(The Ruhr Area was Germany's main industrial zone during the early 1900s; "Most factories were located there. Occupation of the Ruhr in the 1920s by French forces caused passive resistance, which saw production in the factories grind to a halt. As a result, the hyperinflation crisis grew even worse")

(d) FAQ

Quote:

"Closed vs. Open Shelving:
A closed automated shelving system allows library materials to be stored at temperature and humidity conditions (60 degrees Fahrenheit and 30% relative humidity) that are ideally suited for their preservation but could not be achieved in open spaces where patrons browse and retrieve materials.

"Q: How is the underground collection storage space being protected from fire?
A: Fires in the underground storage space are highly unlikely because there will be very few potential ignition sources within the storage space. In addition, testing conducted by Factory Mutual indicates that within the bin storage portion of the system, available oxygen would likely not support a fire.

(f) Joe and Rika Mansueto
("Joe and Rika Mansueto are alumni of the University of Chicago. * * * Mr Mansueto is founder of Morningstar, Inc., a premier investment research firm")

Note:
(i) Morningstar, Inc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morningstar,_Inc.
(a financial data provider based in Chicago, Illinois; founded in 1984 from his one-bedroom Chicago apartment with an initial investment of US$80,000; The name Morningstar is taken from the last sentence in Walden, a book by Henry David Thoreau; "the sun is but a morning star")
(ii) The Southern Italian surname Mansueto is derived from Latin mansuetus, meaning docile/gentile.

(g) Helmut Jahn