Location Guide

The Bentley Historical Library has two distinct stacks, which are connected by a 3rd floor corridor. Each wing has 3 floors that are differentiated by color (see below) and consists of one or more cubes, or separate rooms of the stacks, that are divided by doors: 

• The original wing: This wing was built in 1972 and begins behind the Reading Room. It houses Cube 1 (Shelf units 1-199), Cube 2 (Shelf units 200-399), and Cube 3 (Shelf units 400-699). 

• The new wing: This wing was built in 2004 and is adjacent to the University Archives area in the back of the building. It houses Cube 4 (Shelf units 700-1999), which also serves as a temporary storage space for the UM Special Collections and Music Libraries.

Both wings use the same location system:

• Each floor is identified by a color: Blue (third floor), Yellow (second/ground floor), and Green (first floor).

• Boxes are situated on specifically identified units. Shelf location slots for most shelves are identified by a letter ranging from A (the most upper-left spot) through U (the most lower-right spot). Shelf location slots for shelves that are affixed to the cube's walls (i.e., wrap around a cube) may end in a number.

For example, a typical location will look something like this: Y-365-D. This means that this container is:

• On the "Yellow" Level (i.e., the second/ground floor). 

• In the 365th shelving unit (i.e., within Cube 2).

• On that unit's slot "D". 

Materials marked with a white location label are stored in the Bentley's basement, which is where some oversized and/or architectural materials are stored.

If processors require assistance location specific materials, they should contact their supervisor.

The Bentley has a number of rooms in Bentley North dedicated to storing processed and unprocessed archival material. However, most material is stored in the "High Bay" space. This space, which has 3 floors, is differentiated by its contents: unprocessed material is typically found on the first floor, while processed material is located on floors 2 and 3. 

Much like at the Beal Building, Bentley North has its own location system:

• Each floor is identified by a specific number.

• Boxes are situated on specifically identified units. Shelf location slots are identified by a letter.

For example, a typical location will look something like this: 2-63-B. This means that this container is:

• On the second floor.

• In the 63rd shelving unit.

• On that unit's slot "B". 

More information about the NCRC's storage space can be found in this folder (internal link).

If processors require assistance location specific materials, they should contact their supervisor.