The Challenges Adding capacity for more books was really just the tip of the iceberg for Grand Valley. The university’s larger interest was to create a thoughtful, comprehensive solution for its entire library system. The existing ALS at the Steelcase Library had more than proved its worth, both in its function and as a technology show piece. (Patrons can see it operate though glass walls behind the main desk.) But for the new Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons, the ALS needed to do all that and more. First, the total number of items was much greater. Nearly 150,000 items needed to be transferred from the open shelves of the old library as well as nearly 180,000 from off- campus storage. There was also a greater variety of item types and sizes: book

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