Case Study: John Hopkins University - Sheridan Libraries Relocation
Time & Location:
- Sheridan Libraries & Museums, Baltimore, MD
- Multi-phase, November 2019 – June 2024
Project Overview:
The Sheridan Libraries needed to safely relocate major portions of their collections — including rare books, archives, and general volumes — to offsite storage facilities while ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility. Two distinct phases of work required specialized planning:
- Phase 1 (2019): The Richard A. Macksey private collection, with 50,000 rare volumes, packed and moved from a private residence to the Library Service Center (LSC).
- Phase 2 (2024): The transfer of approximately 200,000 volumes from the Eisenhower Library (MSEL) to the Bayview Medical Center Warehouse, along with related staff relocations and department moves.
Strategy & Execution:
Hoffberger Moving Systems (HMS) developed tailored strategies for each phase:
- Phase 1 – Rare Collection Transfer:
- Packed 2,500 archival boxes of rare books with specialized handling.
- Coordinated daily staging, transportation, and shelving at the LSC.
- Completed over 13 working days, with seamless handoff of fragile materials.
- Phase 2 – General Collection & Staff Relocations:
- Provided 75 library carts and daily crews to pack, move, and shelve 200,000 volumes in call number order at Bayview.
- Supplied a pallet stacker/lift to safely transport collections across warehouse levels.
- Managed support staff relocations to Bayview, Evergreen Museum, and LSC, including cubicle installations, office equipment, and specialized digitization department moves.
Outcome:
- Phase 1: Over 50,000 rare volumes relocated without damage, properly shelved for ongoing preservation.
- Phase 2: More than 200,000 general volumes transferred on schedule in ~20 working days, along with multiple departmental moves, all within budget.
- Successful completion across both phases showcased HMS’s ability to balance precision handling of rare archives with large-scale library logistics.