3.5 million book automated library is currently being constructed for the University of Chicago on campus. The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, as it is called, has an automated system that will retrieve bins of books from an underground storage facility for library staff to pull a certain book from. Books are thrown into the bins in no particular order, but each bin will only holds 100 volumes. When the bin is delivered to staff members, they then have to search for which one has been requested. The library is not a completely automated system, unlike the . In the age of digital books, is this the best use of $81 million dollars?
Joe and Rika Mansueto are alumni of the University of Chicago. Joe founded Morningstar, Inc, and investment company. He is a 50% partner in Time Out Chicago, a guide to entertainment in Chicago. In 2005 he bought business magazines inc and Fast Company magazine. Rika was an investment manager at Morningstar until 2000. Together, they donated $25 million to the library construction, and in turn, the facility will be in their name.
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