Dematic Automates the Handling of Books and Documents

Dematic offers automation technology for handling books. On April 23, it’s that time again: Book lovers around the world celebrate UNESCO’s World Book Day. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, people are increasingly turning to good old reading. Libraries remain the first point of contact. There, the knowledge and treasure of human experience are stored – quite literally.

(Heusenstamm) The handling of books and documents is increasingly being taken over by intelligent automation solutions. They play a crucial role in speeding up order processing, relieving employees from transporting sometimes heavy printed works, and, last but not least, ensuring that precious works are stored gently. The specialist in automation technology, Dematic, provides the necessary expertise in this field. Currently, the Heusenstamm-based company is automating, for example, the National Library of Israel. The largest automated library system in the world is currently being developed at the National Archives of Canada. For the successful implementation of four projects in the USA, Dematic was recently awarded the “Modern Library Award.”

“Libraries have been of essential importance for the cultural development of humanity for centuries. Today, we can significantly improve these traditional places with modern automation technology, thereby sustainably protecting the accumulated knowledge while making it even more accessible,” says Bernard Biolchini, EVP Dematic EMEA. To optimally manage large collections of books and archives, Dematic has developed a specially adapted automated storage and retrieval system for libraries (AKL). It is based on the established Dematic Miniload AKL storage and retrieval device for the storage and retrieval of containers and trays – and is controlled by intelligent Dematic software. For the storage and retrieval system, Dematic was awarded the Platinum Award by the information platform LibraryWorks as part of the “Modern Library Awards 2022”. A total of four projects realized in the USA were honored, including those at the Library of Congress at the University of Chicago and at the Rio Grande Depot in Utah, where the entire history of the state is archived.

Unique Software Control System

An integral part of the Dematic solution is a unique software control system that enables fully automated management of the archive. In addition, the storage and retrieval system is characterized by high storage density, quick access with minimal effort, and high accuracy. “The storage and retrieval system offers libraries an efficient solution with enormous potential for cost and space savings,” explains Biolchini. The often valuable collections of documents are also better protected by the automated solution. “Our systems operate under optimal humidity and temperature conditions and are free from dust and other contaminants. Manual contact is minimized,” adds Biolchini. An oxygen reduction in the storage area also serves to prevent fires. Thus, the modern automation solution additionally makes a concrete contribution to the protection and preservation of important and traditional works and unique items.

In many renowned institutions around the globe, Dematic has fundamentally renewed existing archives. The company is currently installing the largest automated library system in the world at the National Archives of Canada. Work on the system began in January 2020 and is expected to be completed in summer 2022. The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem is also currently being automated by Dematic. In the “Source of Knowledge” designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, an AKL storage and retrieval system with 50,000 containers will ensure that visitors can access a collection of several million books within minutes.

Storage and Retrieval System Determines Location

The process is as follows: The order is entered into the lending system. The storage and retrieval system then determines the location of the requested work and brings it to the pickup station via the automated transport system. This is ensured by the Dematic Miniload AKL storage and retrieval devices, which have average speeds of up to six meters per second. At the pickup station, the user is signaled by laser which book to take. A similar procedure occurs during returns: An employee scans the individual barcode on the book, after which the storage and retrieval system retrieves the corresponding container and returns the book to its storage location. “A special feature in Jerusalem is that the efficiently operating system can be viewed during operation through a panoramic window,” says Biolchini.

Efficient Use of Space

Another advantage of the AKL storage and retrieval system for libraries is the efficient use of space. Thanks to individually customizable shelf and container solutions, it requires only one-seventh of the space of conventional library systems. A key reason for this is the automatic detection of free spaces and the subsequent flexible storage of books. This is achieved with the help of intelligent software that tracks the books with very high accuracy. “Given the millions of stored books, volumes, magazines, and articles, our AKL storage and retrieval system offers libraries a tremendous advancement over the manual archiving process,” emphasizes Biolchini.

Photos: © Dematic