The Mathewson Automated Retrieval System (MARS)
What is it?
The automated retrieval system at the UNR Knowledge Center is a robotic system that will house many of the older, low-use books, journals, and other materials. These materials are currently shelved in the stacks in Getchell Library, Special Collections, BGIC, LHS, as well as in the off-site storage facility. This is a temperature-controlled, efficient space that will enable us to have a lot more open spaces for study, work, and collaboration throughout the Knowledge Center. Book stacks take up an enormous amount of space, and this will free up a great deal of that space. The system will provide quick access to these materials, when compared to other storage options.
Contest Winners
The winning name for the
Automated Retrieval System is MARS, submitted by Brett Amesbury.
Congratulations to Brett!
Contest Finalists
| Name | Submitted by |
|---|---|
| FETCH | Taryn Doetch Adam Ellis Jessica Greiman Ryan Romero |
| FReD | Carol Parkhurst |
| HAL | Jessica Brown, Eric Noggle Nick Tschernia |
| Rover | Gabrielle Blaustein Amy Shannon Kim Truesdell |
Contest Semi-Finalists
| Name | Submitted by |
|---|---|
| ALPH | Andrea Thompson |
| Big Blue | Cassie Beck |
| Bookkeeper | Grigory Lukin |
| Chewey | Jennifer Richards |
| Fast Pack | Amy Taylor |
| FETCH | Taryn Doetch Adam Ellis Jessica Greiman Ryan Romero |
| FReD | Carol Parkhurst |
| HAL | Jessica Brown, Eric Noggle Nick Tschernia |
| Rover | Gabrielle Blaustein Amy Shannon Kim Truesdell |
| VAULT | Millie Syring |
What's going to be in it?
The basic parameters for what will be housed in the automated retrieval system are:
- Books published before 1995 that have been checked out 7 or fewer times in the last 20 years.
- Journals that are older than 1 year (1 full year, plus the current year will be kept in browsing stacks).
- The Permanent Reserve Collection from Getchell.
- Most of the Special Collections.
- Most of the government documents.
What's not going to be in it?
Excluded from inclusion in the ARC are:
- Pictorial works (books with lots of pictures) in call number ranges N, TR, and TT (art and photography.)
- Books in call number range F836-F850 (Nevada History)
- Music scores
- Certain individual journal and reference titles to be determined by subject specialists and our knowledgeable users.
- Most of the high use and Nevada-related government documents
- Other high use materials
Fictional literature is being subjected to a different standard: Books in the literature areas checked out 5 or fewer times and published before 1980 are subject to inclusion in the ARC.
How will it work?
A user can submit a request for a book or journal volume by clicking a button in the library catalog. The request sends a signal to the operator to retrieve the item from the storage bin. Once the system retrieves the bin (containing 50 - 100 volumes) the operator selects the right item and send sit to the circulation desk, where it will be held for the user. The entire process should take no longer then 5 - 10 minutes.
When will all this start?
Loading materials is an enormous undertaking and we can't accomplish it in a short period of time. Although the Knowledge Center won't open until Fall 2008, materials going into the ARC may be unavailable starting in early spring. The libraries will make every effort to get all users whatever materials they need during this period.
Can I ask more questions or express my concerns?
Absolutely. We know some journals and books may need to be browsed, and there may be other special circumstances. If you have further questions, please contact Maggie Ressel at 682-5653 or ressel@unr.edu.
