Print Collection Offsite Storage

We recently moved most of the print journals on the 2nd floor and 70% of the monograph collection positioned throughout the building to an offsite storage facility. This move was necessary because:

• In the short term with COVID-19, we needed to provide additional social distanced- seating in the library.
• In the long term, the library needed to provide more study and collaboration seating (2,500 additional seats) for students. 
• The print book collection was separated between the ground floor and the rest of the building and was not in order, which made it difficult to browse. The move enabled us to reintegrate the books staying in the library in call number order and restore browsing.
• We ran out of space for new materials to be shelved in their proper location, so many of the new materials were shelved on overflow shelves and not integrated with the collection.
• The tower elevators and shelving layouts are not ADA-compliant.

The offsite storage facility is a 15-minute drive from campus. We strive to deliver materials to Atkins Library and Charles C. Hight Architecture Library when requested through the library’s catalog within 24 hours during regular business hours. If you have any further questions, please refer to our FAQs below or contact your subject librarian.

How will I get items I need if they are offsite?

You will request the item directly from the library catalog, just as you would if you were requesting items to be put on hold or sent to your campus office. 

Will I be able to go to the offsite location to get items myself?

No. The offsite storage is a closed facility.

What items have been moved to the offsite location? What collections remain in the library?

The majority of our print journals and 70% of the print monographs have been moved to the offsite storage facility. Print books selected to be moved were identified based on publication date and usage or circulation data. 

Materials remaining in Atkins include: popular reading, reference, Curriculum Instruction Materials Center (CMIC), faculty publications, government documents, microforms, DVDs, musical scores, maps, oversized materials, reserves and Special Collections and University Archives.

Where will you shelve the books that remain in the library?

The books remaining in the library are currently shelved in the ground floor compact shelving. After the tower elevators are updated to be ADA Compliant and other renovations are considered, the books may be moved to other floors in the building.

Can I browse books that are located offsite? 

Yes, you can browse all of the library’s book collection through the virtual browse feature of our catalog, which includes print books on and offsite and our extensive ebook collection. For more information on the virtual browse feature in our catalog, please watch our tutorial.

Where is the offsite storage located?

The offsite storage is located at a brand new warehouse facility on Derita Road in Concord and is only a 15-minute drive from the main campus. The facility has been upgraded to provide the technology and climate control required to house and maintain our collection. 

How long will it take to get items that I request from offsite storage?

We will provide materials requested within 24 hours during regular business hours. 

Who can request items from offsite storage?

Current UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff can request offsite storage materials directly from the library’s catalog. Friends, Alumni, Retires and others with check out privileges will be able to select materials from offsite storage.

How many items can I request from offsite storage?

There is no limit to the number of items you may request.

How long are items held in the library for me that I request from offsite storage?

Once requested materials have arrived at the library for pickup, they will be held for seven days. If you need more time to pick them up, please contact the Circulation Desk.

Where can faculty and staff get items requested delivered? 

Current faculty and staff can request that an item be sent to their university department by choosing the Work Address option when placing an item on hold. Your item will be checked out to you before it is delivered to you.

Where can students get items requested delivered? 

Current students can request that an item be sent to one of two locations to be held for pickup: J. Murrey Atkins Library or the Charles C. Hight Architecture Library.