High-Density Mobile Shelving: The Key to Maximizing Storage Capacity

For many organizations, space is one of the most valuable yet most underutilized assets. Whether it’s a university library managing millions of volumes, a museum preserving delicate collections, a hospital storing medical records and supplies, or a government agency archiving critical documents, the same challenge emerges: how do you store more, without paying for more space?

The cost of expansion—whether constructing a new facility, adding square footage, or leasing additional storage space—can run into the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. On top of that, expansions are often disruptive, time-consuming, and logistically complex. For many institutions, it’s simply not an option.

At the same time, traditional shelving systems aren’t doing them any favors. Fixed-aisle shelving wastes valuable floor area because so much space is dedicated to aisles rather than storage itself. Multiply that inefficiency across an entire facility, and the lost capacity becomes staggering.

This is where high-density mobile shelving comes in. These systems place shelving units on tracks, eliminating the need for multiple fixed aisles. Instead, a single moveable aisle provides access wherever it’s needed. By removing redundant aisles, organizations can often double or even triple their storage capacity within the same footprint.

Why Organizations Are Turning to Mobile Shelving

• Rising Real Estate Costs: With property costs continually climbing, wasted space has never been more expensive. Mobile shelving allows institutions to delay or even avoid costly expansions.
• Growing Storage Demands: From libraries adding thousands of new volumes each year, to hospitals keeping more supplies on hand, storage needs rarely shrink—they only increase.
• Compliance and Safety: Properly engineered systems can meet ADA standards, seismic codes, and archival preservation standards.
• Operational Efficiency: When items are easier to locate and access, staff spend less time retrieving and more time serving their core mission.
• Flexibility for the Future: Storage systems need to grow and adapt as collections, inventories, or records expand. High-density mobile shelving provides scalability without structural changes.

Case Study: USC Creative Arts Library

The University of Southern California (USC) Creative Arts Library faced a pressing challenge:

• The library contained over 1.5 million volumes inside its 81,000-square-foot building.
• With thousands of new books arriving regularly, shelves were becoming overcrowded.
• The library also needed to add more workstations and study areas for students and staff, but space was already constrained.

McMurray Stern’s solution:

• Installed a high-density mobile mechanical assist system with mechanical safety sweeps for safe and efficient storage.
• Repurposed USC’s existing cantilever shelving, installing it on mobile carriages and platforms to save money and preserve prior investments.
• Provided plans, data, and structural engineering calculations to help USC secure permits from the City of Los Angeles.
• The system more than doubled the library’s storage density, dramatically increasing capacity within the same footprint.

The results:

• USC gained room for more workstations and study tables while still accommodating its massive collection.
• Staff found it easier to store and retrieve materials, improving efficiency and service.
• The library avoided the expense of a building expansion, achieving a cost-effective, long-term storage solution.

This project demonstrates a key truth: space optimization is not just about storage, it’s about enabling growth. By transforming how existing space is used, high-density mobile shelving creates room for new opportunities—whether that’s more study areas, more patients served, more archives preserved, or more inventory managed.

Key Benefits of High-Density Mobile Shelving Systems

Investing in high-density mobile shelving systems delivers far more than space savings. These solutions provide measurable improvements across cost, efficiency, and compliance.

1. Maximize Capacity Without Expanding Space

By eliminating fixed aisles, mobile shelving can double or triple storage capacity. This makes it ideal for libraries, healthcare facilities, warehouses, or museums where every square foot is valuable.

2. Improve Workflow and Efficiency

With organized systems and simplified retrieval, staff spend less time searching for items. More efficient workflows lead to higher productivity and faster service delivery.

3. Ensure Compliance and Safety

Mobile shelving systems can be designed with safety sweeps, ADA accessibility, and seismic engineering. Specialized solutions also help institutions meet regulatory requirements for evidence storage, patient records, or archival preservation.

4. Deliver Long-Term Cost Savings

Avoiding expansions or relocations leads to significant savings. Although installation requires upfront investment, most organizations achieve a strong return on investment (ROI) by reducing operational costs over time.

Types of High-Density Mobile Shelving to Consider

Not all storage needs are the same, and McMurray Stern provides a wide variety of solutions to match industry demands.

Manual vs. Powered Mobile Shelving

• Manual Mechanical Assist Systems: Cost-effective and ideal for smaller spaces like libraries or offices.
• Powered Mobile Systems: Operated electronically, better for larger, high-traffic facilities.

Compact Shelving for Offices and Libraries

• Efficient for records, books, and files.
• Common in universities, corporate offices, and legal environments.

Industrial Mobile Racking for Warehouses

• Designed to handle heavy-duty storage.
• Maximizes vertical and horizontal space in manufacturing and distribution centers.

Specialty Storage Systems

• Healthcare: HIPAA-compliant shelving for patient records and medical supplies.
• Museums & Archives: Climate-controlled systems for artifacts and rare collections.
• Public Safety & Government: Evidence lockers, secure weapons storage, and archival systems.

Real-World Applications Across Industries

High-density mobile shelving has become a game-changer for industries far beyond libraries.

• Healthcare: Hospitals use mobile shelving to store supplies, pharmaceuticals, and sensitive records while maintaining compliance.
• Museums: Compact shelving protects fragile collections while maximizing limited space in archives.
• Government & Public Safety: Police departments rely on secure evidence storage with mobile systems that maintain chain-of-custody.
• Warehousing & Logistics: Facilities optimize inventory management, reducing retrieval times and increasing throughput.

Each application reinforces how mobile shelving adapts to the unique needs of diverse industries, delivering both efficiency and scalability.

Smart Storage Solutions with McMurray Stern

High-Density Mobile Shelving is more than just a storage upgrade—it’s a strategy for maximizing capacity, reducing costs, and creating opportunities for growth. From libraries and museums to healthcare and logistics, organizations across industries are rethinking how they manage their most valuable asset: space.

At McMurray Stern, we specialize in designing and installing custom-engineered mobile shelving systems that fit your exact needs. With decades of experience, proven expertise, and a commitment to long-term support, we help clients transform their space into a true advantage.

Ready to explore what high-density mobile shelving can do for your organization? Contact McMurray Stern today and let our team design a storage solution that maximizes your space, streamlines operations, and positions you for the future.