Texas A&M, University of Texas open joint library

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System will open their Joint Library Facility at Texas A&M University’s Riverside Campus on May 24, 2013.

The 18,000-sf library facility represents an unprecedented collaboration between the state’s two largest university systems to provide joint storage of more than a million books and make them available for use by other academic or medical institutions.

The $6.3 million construction project at the Riverside Campus began in summer 2012.

The facility will enable the UT System and Texas A&M System libraries to store print books and journals using high density shelving, minimizing the physical requirements and costs of print storage.

Officials explained the new facility will help alleviate pressures as libraries continue to add volumes and related resources. The facility will keep the burden of storage costs off individual campuses in both systems.