What is the Robotic Retrieval System?
The Robotic Retrieval System (RRS) is an onsite storage and retrieval system which can hold up to 1.2 million volumes. The RRS is housed in a temperature and humidity-controlled structure that has 7,444 steel bins installed in racks arranged in columns and rows.
Which materials are held in the RRS?
 The following categories of resources are in the RRS:
- “Q”, “R”, “S”, “T”, “U”, “V” classification letters:
- Books that have multiple copies
- Books published 1999 & earlier
- Bound journals duplicated in online sources
- Bound journals no longer published
- Library Science books and journals, “Z” classification letter
- Theses and dissertations
- Government Documents – All cataloged government documents in Sudoc classification
- Oversize books, 29.6 cm and larger
- Selected reference materials, e.g., indexes & abstracts duplicated online
- Back issues of Index Medicus from the Kornhauser Library
- Selected bound journals from the Art Library
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What are the advantages of using a Robotic Retrieval System?
 Space. By moving some collections into the RRS, shelving can be removed from other areas of the library to make more student-friendly spaces. - Convenience. Rather than storing materials off-site, the RRS can hold a 1.2 million volumes in a compact space onsite.
- Speed. Materials housed in the RRS can be delivered to the check-out desk within minutes - probably faster than you could walk and retrieve the item from upstairs!
- Preservation. The temperature and humidity controls in the area help to preserve the condition of the books.
How are materials requested and retrieved?
 Minerva, the libraries' catalog, will provide a gateway to books and journals stored in the RRS. Items in the RRS are identified in Minerva with the location "*ROBOTIC RETRIEVAL SYSTEM." The "request" button in Minerva is used to request items in the RRS to be delivered to the Circulation Desk.
When the request is sent through Minerva, the "crane" receives the message, locates the bin in which the item is located and delivers it to a pick-up station at the Ekstrom Library Circulation Desk. The entire process takes only seconds. |
