Libraries do more than store books—they safeguard knowledge, culture, and history. This is especially true for institutions like the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., which holds the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, as well as thousands of rare manuscripts, prints, and artifacts. However, maintaining such a vast and priceless archive within a historically significant structure presents serious space and preservation challenges. As the Folger expanded its programming and collections, the need to maximize storage capacity without compromising architectural integrity became urgent. In collaboration with Spacesaver, the library adopted a suite of innovative storage solutions tailored to its collections’ unique needs and the building’s structural limitations. This blog explores how high-density mobile shelving, cantilever shelving, flat file cabinets, 4-post shelving, and lateral art racks played pivotal roles in preserving the library’s literary treasures for future generations.
The Challenge: Too Much to Store, Not Enough Room to Expand
With over 450,000 printed materials, manuscripts, and visual artifacts, the Folger faced an increasing struggle to manage and preserve its collection effectively. The challenge wasn’t only about space—climate control, security, accessibility, and preservation were also key factors.
Local zoning restrictions prohibited any horizontal expansion of the historic structure, and the floors had limited load-bearing capacity. This meant the shelving had to be not only space-efficient but also structurally compatible and easy to install without damaging the building.
Tailored Solutions from Spacesaver
To meet these complex needs, the Folger worked with Spacesaver and its local representative, Bradford Systems, to engineer a storage strategy that would:
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Maximize available space
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Protect fragile and irreplaceable artifacts
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Provide flexibility for evolving collections
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Meet building code and insurance requirements
Here’s a breakdown of the products used and the specific roles they played in transforming the Folger’s storage systems.
High-Density Mobile Shelving: Doubling Storage in Half the Space
High-density mobile shelving is a hallmark solution for institutions that need to store more in limited square footage. Unlike traditional static shelving, mobile systems eliminate the need for permanent aisles. Shelving units are mounted on carriages that slide along tracks, allowing staff to open an aisle only when needed.
At the Folger, these systems allowed:
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50–60% more storage capacity in the same footprint
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Access to rare books, manuscripts, and archival materials without overfilling rooms
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Compliance with local fire codes and insurance regulations by ensuring correct spacing from sprinkler systems
To accommodate the historic building’s limitations, the system was installed only in areas where the floors could support the load. In other spaces, lighter static shelving was used. The mobile shelving’s manual or powered options allowed staff to retrieve materials easily while reducing physical strain.
Ideal for: Rare book storage, boxed manuscripts, archival files
Cantilever Shelving: The Foundation of Library Book Storage
The Folger’s vast book collection required shelving specifically designed for libraries. Cantilever shelving features shelf brackets that attach to uprights at the back of the shelving unit, rather than on the sides. This creates an unobstructed area beneath each shelf—perfect for books of varying sizes and easy reshelving.
Cantilever shelving benefits included:
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Adjustable shelves to accommodate oversized folios or smaller pamphlets
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Optional accessories like pull-out reference shelves and end panels
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Aesthetic compatibility with reading room spaces or closed stacks
Bradford Systems customized the shelving layouts to match existing spaces, balancing preservation needs with accessibility and structural requirements.
Ideal for: General library stacks, special collections, reading rooms
Lateral Art Racks: Preserving Fragile Works of Art
The Folger also houses over 90,000 prints, drawings, and visual artifacts, many of which are on paper or canvas and highly susceptible to environmental damage. To protect these items while allowing for safe viewing and retrieval, lateral art racks were installed.
These racks consist of mesh panels mounted on carriages that slide laterally, much like a drawer. Art is hung using hooks, clips, or specially designed mounts that prevent physical contact with surfaces.
Lateral art rack features:
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Non-abrasive mesh panels that allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup
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Hanging storage to avoid rolling or stacking artwork, which can damage paper or frames
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Compact footprint for storing dozens of pieces in a single unit
Ideal for: Framed artwork, oversized prints, delicate visual collections
Flat File Cabinets: For Delicate, Flat Artifacts
For items like posters, maps, and manuscripts that cannot be stored vertically, flat file cabinets offer horizontal storage with protective drawers. These drawers are shallow and wide, designed to keep materials flat and safe from bending or light exposure.
Flat file cabinet benefits:
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Individual compartments for each item or set of items
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Dust protection and UV-resistant finishes
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Compatibility with archival folders and polyester film sleeves
At the Folger, these cabinets were used to store large paper artifacts and ensure quick, flat access without exposing items to bending or rolling.
Ideal for: Playbills, posters, blueprints, loose artwork
4-Post Shelving: Adaptable and Durable
4-post shelving systems offer versatile, open-frame storage for a wide range of materials. Their simple yet strong structure makes them ideal for storing items of varying sizes, whether in boxes, folders, or open formats.
At the Folger, 4-post shelving supported:
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Mixed-media collections
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Artifact crates and preservation containers
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Collection overflow
It’s also compatible with mobile carriages, so in areas where high-density systems were installed, 4-post shelving was mounted onto mobile bases. The modularity of 4-post systems ensured future expansion and easy shelf adjustment as collection needs evolved.
Ideal for: General archival storage, boxed items, rotating or expanding collections
Solving Installation Challenges in a Historic Space
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project was how Bradford Systems and Spacesaver navigated the physical constraints of a historic building. For example:
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The building’s elevator was too small to accommodate large shelving components
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Installation teams manually transported materials up staircases, piece by piece
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All installations were completed without altering or damaging any part of the building’s original structure
This level of care reflects not only the team’s technical expertise but also a deep respect for cultural preservation.
The Outcome: A Future-Proofed Storage Ecosystem
By combining various types of shelving—each carefully selected for a specific type of collection—the Folger Shakespeare Library was able to:
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Increase its storage capacity significantly within the same physical footprint
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Improve accessibility and retrieval of rare and fragile materials
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Maintain collection integrity and safety through proper environmental separation and structural design
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Support future collection growth with scalable, adjustable systems
Conclusion: A Model for Libraries and Museums Nationwide
The Folger Shakespeare Library project illustrates how thoughtful design, expert collaboration, and specialized shelving systems can overcome even the most complex storage challenges. For libraries and institutions managing rare or growing collections, the lesson is clear:
Smart storage is more than a convenience—it’s a commitment to preservation.
Download the case study to learn more.
