The University Library collection comprises over 2.3 million items occupying about 66,000 linear metres of shelving or 9,200 m2 of physical space. The average occupancy rate of existing shelf space across all libraries is 93 per cent. This rate exceeds the accepted standard (86 per cent) at which a library is considered full. At the current rate of growth, existing shelf space in some libraries will be wholly (100 per cent) occupied within four years, that is, by 2010.
To address this problem, the University has leased an off-campus store and established a Collection Relocation Project to relocate non-current materials, primarily back-runs of serials and lesser-used monographs to the store. Starting in mid-2007 and concluding in December 2008, approximately 23,000 linear metres or 800,000 volumes will be relocated.