Library ARS soon open for business

By Hilary Tone

Orradre Library celebrated the opening of the Automated Retrieval System (ARS) last week, though the new addition won't be fully functional until materials have been moved in over the next several months.

Once completed, students will be able to retrieve library materials via a computer that instructs cranes to put the requested materials on a conveyor belt, making it available to the student.

Santa Clara is among just eight other universities in the country to have an ARS, including Cal State Northridge, Eastern Michigan, Sonoma State, and the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

"This Automated Retrieval System is the first phase in the new 'Library for the 21st Century,' and is an integral part of it," said Liz Salzer, a university librarian.

Elizabeth Morris, a second year Santa Clara law student and winner of the "Name the Cranes" contest was also present at the opening. Her names for the three cranes, Stephen, Hart and Icabod, won for their literary references.

"I thought it would be appropriate to have a literary theme for the library," Morris said.

Salzer explained that when Orradre is eventually demolished, most of the library's collection will be in the ARS. Library materials are expected to start moving to the ARS at the end of this month, starting with micro-prints, older journals, and archives. Materials from the general stacks will go to the ARS last.

"As of right now, we do not have a final use permit for the ARS," Salzer said.

The permit will not be available until the final building inspection has been completed.

The first three months of transition from Orradre to the ARS will be a "test for speed," according to Salzer, since it is difficult to predict how long the move will take.

"If we did nothing but move materials, the process would probably take a couple of months," Salzer said.

Though the date for Orradre's demolition is posted as July 2005 on the new library's Web site, Salzer predicts that it probably will not take place until late 2005 or even 2006.

"It really depends on fundraising," Salzer said. "We need sufficient funding from pledges and cash in hand. Right now, we have roughly half of the money we need."

About 30 Santa Clara students, library staff members, and faculty attended the opening, hosted by Salzer in the Orradre lobby.

Though no tours were given of the ARS that afternoon, photos of the building were displayed, with a model of the future library.

Veronica Murphy, assistant director for the Student Call Center, was able to tour the nearly finished ARS last fall after winning the opportunity at a staff luncheon.

"It's just massive in there. The cranes actually slide back and forth, and you're just in awe of its size," Murphy said.

Those interested in plans for the new library can visit www.scu.edu/newlibrary, where photos of the model library are posted.