McGill University Library Collection Facility

McGill University Library Collection Facility

With a total surface area of approximately 43,000 square feet and a minimum interior height of 7.6 metres, the facility will include a warehouse area with an automated storage/retrieval system for the storage of 2.5 million library volumes. The building will also feature a 3,300-square-foot open storage area with shelving, an administrative space that can accommodate 5 people, as well as a large processing area. The site will be developed to allow for future expansion of the storage area.

In order to accommodate the automated storage equipment, the building will feature a slab with a precise flatness and a superior bearing capacity. The building’s footprint and vertical clearance have also been designed to accommodate this equipment. To ensure the appropriate temperature and humidity levels for book storage, the storage areas will be environmentally controlled zones. Furthermore, a pre-action sprinkler system will limit the risks of water damage to the library collections, and the landscaping and mitigation measures have also been designed to limit the risks of water damage.

The facility achieved LEED Gold Certification in May 2024. One step higher than the original target of LEED Silver.