Library of Sorbonne, from passive to dynamic Storage : Refurbishments and New Organization of the Collections (2003-2016)

Abstract

Because of safety reasons, it has been known since August 2003 that the 1897-building of the library of Sorbonne would close after the whole moving of its collections (research documents in humanities and 120.000 heritage items).

In June 2009, most-used collections were stored in Sainte-Barbe provisional library (opened from May 2010 to May 2013) and were due to Sorbonne after the works. Less-used items were stored in premises near the Sorbonne and in the Centre technique du livre de l’enseignement supérieur (CTLES, 32km from Paris).

The library reopened in Sorbonne on November, 15th 2013 after a complete refurbishment and another moving of its collections. As the refurbished buildings offer 24.000lm of shelves only, another 17.000lm have to be stored off site.

In 2016, at least 4.000lm will be transferred to the new facilities of the CTLES and a dynamic storage system will be settled. Therefore, by 2020, half of the collections will be stored in Sorbonne and the other 50% in CTLES.