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designs for collections storage proceeded in parallel with equipment evaluation beginning in mid-March.  Following official acceptance of the architect's design and estimate of construction cost on July 19, 1979, the FMC Corporation began final preparation of its equipment report which was delivered on September 19, 1979.

The collections storage system and equipment provide efficient high-density storage on three,  eight-foot-high storage levels, similar to multi-story library stacks.  This system uses fixed, self-supporting steel racks and cabinets that can hold a variety of cases, shelves, and drawers, as needed to meet the specific requirements of each of the collections.  The equipment system will also create the aisles (or catwalks) at the second and third levels.  It economically uses the available height of the building and provides self-contained access without requiring construction of separate structural floors within the storage components.  Compared with other and more costly storage systems such as compactors this program takes full advantage of the space available and offers safety for various types and sizes of collections, ease of access to specimens and objects for study, and flexibility for the future.  Presently, the Institution plans to purchase and install about one-half of the required storage equipment over the period fiscal years 1981 to 1985, to coincide with the building's completion and the transfer of collections from the Mall.  The Secretary, on December 4, 1979, sent letters to the Institution's appropriation committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives apprising them of these equipment plans and the proposed budget requirements over this period.