Professional Services
CARM 2 (Stage 2 CAVAL Repository)
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In 1996, CAVAL constructed the first high-density, environmentally controlled library storage facility in Bundoora, Victoria, the CAVAL Archival and Research Materials Centre (CARM). This facility now holds nearly 1 million volumes of low-use print materials contributed by member libraries. Constant temperature and humidity controls ensure that material is preserved in ideal environmental storage conditions. The items have been contributed by the original libraries to CAVAL for long-term shared ownership and maintenance.
CARM2, currently under construction, will be a second storage facility. It is adjacent to the existing CARM facility in order to take advantage of the available staffing and facilities management services; including collection management, deposit and retrieval services, and on-site digitisation and document delivery services.
CAVAL has engaged Coffey Projects to manage the project and the architects are H2o.
CAVAL is already in discussion with some other agencies for the specification of specialised fit-out to accommodate other collections such as museum artefacts and pictures on a more commercial basis to supplement the expected income from the facility.
The AUD16 million library project will treble the storage capacity of CAVAL's existing facility to over 32,000 linear metres of medium and high density shelf space. When completed in late 2010, the expanded facility will be capable of holding more 3.5 million volumes, more than any university library in Australia.
Monash University and the University of Melbourne have each agreed to contribute AUD5.5 million towards the construction and in exchange they will each obtain reserved shelf space for 30 years, equivalent to about 1.5 million volumes in total. The remaining space will be used to extend the shared collection for member libraries and for the leasing of space to a range of libraries, art galleries, museums and archives.
The expanded facility will feature tight environmental controls to ensure the long-term preservation of stored materials. The air inside the vault will be maintained at 20°C (±2°C) with very low humidity. According to project architect, Mark O’Dwyer of H2o Architects, the vault is designed to maintain its design temperature and humidity for a minimum of 24 hours in the event of a total loss of power.
“To achieve that, we have designed what is essentially a highly insulated box that doesn’t leak. The building will have extra-thick insulation in the walls and roof and there is even insulation to go beneath the concrete slab. Upon completion, the whole building will be pressure-test to pinpoint leaks,” he said.
Due to the need for long-term storage, the facility will have a design life of 40-50 years, over three times that of many commercial buildings being built today.
La Trobe University continues to support the CARM facility through its subsidised rental of land for the existing and new facilities.
O’Dwyer says the building’s exterior will feature a translucent facade in acrylic and metal panels that will soften the appearance of the building and help it to blend into its leafy setting at Bundoora.