American Philosophical Society Storage Solution - Case Study

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the American Philosophical Society (APS) is the oldest learned society in the United States. Rooted in Enlightenment ideals, APS continues its mission of advancing useful knowledge through scholarship, research, and preservation. Today, the organization supports over 900 members worldwide and operates a museum, library, and multiple research departments housing irreplaceable historical materials. As collections expanded over time, the APS Library faced a growing challenge: limited structural capacity and increasingly complex storage demands for rare and sensitive materials. The existing system required reorganization to improve load distribution, ensure compliance, and maintain long-term preservation standards.

Philadelphia, PA

DETAILS

520 SQFT

Mobile Shelving (Mechanical Assist), Art Rack, Flat Files, Widespan Shelving

Spacesaver

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Challenge: Limited Capacity and Evolving Collection Needs

The APS Library needed a storage solution that could address multiple priorities at once:

Structural limitations impacting storage capacity and load distribution

The need for compliant, safe housing of rare and irreplaceable materials

Increasing frequency of new acquisitions in varying sizes and formats

A lack of scalable organization for future collection growth

Rather than turning away valuable additions due to space constraints, APS sought a more sustainable, future-focused approach to archival storage.

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Solution: Object-Based, Flexible Storage Strategy

To address these challenges, APS reimagined its storage methodology by shifting from a space-based model to an object-based organization system. Instead of storing materials based solely on available space, collections were organized according to object type, preservation requirements, and material characteristics.

This strategic shift allowed the library to:

Improve organization and retrieval of archival materials

Optimize structural load distribution across storage systems

Enhance compliance and safety for sensitive collections

Accommodate ongoing acquisitions without compromising efficiency

The new system also prioritized careful planning in the placement of irreplaceable materials, ensuring both accessibility and long-term preservation.

Results: A Future-Ready Archival Environment

By addressing structural and organizational challenges head-on, the APS Library successfully implemented a storage solution that aligns with both present needs and future growth.

Key outcomes included:

A safer, more compliant archival storage environment

Improved efficiency in managing diverse collections

Increased flexibility for future acquisitions

A stable, long-term foundation for research and preservation

Delivered on time and within budget, the project provided APS with a modernized storage infrastructure that supports its mission of preserving knowledge for generations to come.

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