Schulte Roth & Zabel (SRZ), a prestigious law firm of over 370 attorneys located in New York City, outgrew its previous library space due to a rapid organization expansion. “Before purchasing our Montel storage shelving system, the [library’s] collection was stored on both fixed and mobile standard shelves, as well as in cartons in a storage room,” said Carol K. Sergis, director of library services. “These shelves were very difficult to adjust and too easy to bend. The depth of the shelving in some areas was not deep enough, and sometimes could not hold the larger materials.”
SRZ’s approach was to value a newly designed law library that would optimize room space while providing harmony in a quality aesthetic environment for its attorneys. “When SRZ was searching to purchase a [high-density storage] system, open shelves that were adjustable, flexible, and deep, and columns that were strong and sturdy were important specifications,” explained Sergis. “In addition, compact shelving that would accommodate hanging newspapers, provide two openings in the aisles, and also [offer] a safety mechanism that [was] easy to operate and use were strategic considerations.”
To accommodate its growth of library information material, SRZ chose Montel’s custom-designed Aetnastak solution for its strength, flexibility, and aesthetically appealing interior design. “The Montel storage shelving system has improved the library’s appearance tremendously,” mentions Sergis. “The open shelves offer a freedom to explore the collection and welcome the patrons. The materials in the library collection are readily accessible to all.”
The following products were proposed to SRZ:
- Montel Aetnastak cantilever library shelving systems.
- Mechanical Mobilex high-density mobile storage systems.
- Aetnastak shelving that can be reconfigured and expanded for future library storage needs.
- Custom wood end panels to match the firm’s interior space.
- Welded-frame uprights and fourth-bend shelf construction, increasing strength and eliminating sharp edges.
When asked to describe the effectiveness of SRZ’s Montel storage shelving system, Sergis states that the operation of the compact system works great. “The knobs are very easy to turn. The security locks and the safety mechanism [are] a plus. The space between each aisle is excellent. This allows two people to look for materials at the same time. Sometimes you may find an attorney browsing the collection, reading, or working, while a staff member may be working on a special project in another aisle. The attorneys sometimes are found sitting in the aisles doing their work.”
“The feature we like the most are the pullout shelves,” Sergis said. “They are very easy to pull out and are the sturdiest I have seen. It has been much easier for my staff to shelve because the shelves are easier to adjust and can accommodate the different sizes of the materials. Another great feature is the open shelves [that we chose] (with no backs). This makes the library have an open feeling, and the attorneys are [better] able to browse the collection.”
Established in 1924, Montel Inc. is the pioneer of high-density mobile shelving storage system solutions in North America. Manufacturer of products for corporate, institutional, library, museum, healthcare, government, healthcare, industrial, and retail applications, Montel’s achievements include some of the most prestigious projects in North America and around the world. The company serves clients through a network of authorized dealers throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. To learn more about Montel, visit us at (www.montel.com). For a no-obligation space storage analysis, contact us at (877) 935-0236 or ([email protected]).
