Lack of space in individual libraries and unparalleled cooperation between a number of central and university libraries allowed the Cooperative Storage Library Switzerland to become reality.
The recognition that digitisation was nowhere near making the storage of printed holdings superfluous, and perhaps never would, as well as that maintaining book stacks in city-centre locations (where libraries are usually situated) was becoming unacceptably expensive, made libraries begin to re-consider the best way to store their printed holdings, possibly also outside of the cities.
Under the leadership of Ulrich Niederer the Central and University Library Lucerne began an intensive, detailed evaluation of various storage options in 2005, with the aim of identifying which solution was most cost-effective and also best from a conservation point of view. After two years and numerous detailed cost calculations this evaluation resulted in the decision to establish an inert-atmosphere automated container storage and retrieval system located outside the city centre. The working group identified significant potential for synergy effects based on collaboration with other libraries.
In 2009 the Government Council of the Canton of Lucerne invited the funding authorities of a number of interested libraries to collaborate on the realisation of an external storage facility. Five institutions accepted this invitation.
Title page of the Canton of Lucerne’s official publication, reporting on the creation of a joint external storage facility by the Central University Library and its partners.
In 2013 the project was the subject of a referendum held by its largest partner, the Canton of Lucerne. Following a successful outcome and with the consent of the various participating libraries, plans began to take on a more concrete shape. The selection of a general planner drove forward construction planning, while the legal forms of the responsible body were defined.
2014 was an extremely important year for the Cooperative Storage Library Switzerland, marking the founding of both its management organisations:
Founding of the Cooperative Storage Library Switzerland (CSLS). On 27.03.2014 the Association assumes responsibility for operations of the CSLS. Operations begin on 01.10.2015.
Founding of the Speicherbibliothek AG public limited company (plc) on 08.05.2014. The plc provides the financial means necessary for construction – some CHF 31 million. From this date on, the plc owns the plot and building. The Association becomes the sole tenant and manager of the infrastructure.
Construction of the building also begins, with the official ground-breaking ceremony taking place on 10.11.2014.
(from the left) Dr. Ulrich Niederer, Central University Library Lucerne / Mike Märki, Senior Project Manager, Lucerne Department of Education and Culture / Dr. Wilfried Lochbühler, University Library of Zurich / Felix Winter, University of Basle / Verena Bider, Central Library of Solothurn / Franz Hupfer, President of the Board of Directors, Speicherbibliothek AG / Marcel Schwerzmann, State Councillor of the Canton of Lucerne / Peter Probst, Central Library of Solothurn / Christoph Tschumi, University of Basle / Prof. Dr. Susanna Bliggenstorfer, Central Library of Zurich
Just a few days before the operational handover construction work is still continuing at full speed in the morning moonlight.
Handover of the building to the Speicherbibliothek AG public limited company (plc) takes place at the end of January and, parallel to this, the rental contract with the Cooperative Storage Library Switzerland Association begins. An open day was held in June, marking the CSLS’ official opening. The construction project came in at approximately CHF 2 million under the initial cost estimate. After one year of intensive ingestion 1.6 million items are held at the CSLS.
