Kooperative Speicherbibliothek Schweiz, Cooperative storage library in Büron, Switzerland
Kooperative Speicherbibliothek Schweiz is a high-tech storage facility in Büron that holds more than three million books and media items in automated container chambers accessible by robotic systems. The complex serves as a central distribution point that processes requests from member libraries and delivers ordered materials through a courier network.
The project emerged after a public referendum in November 2013 in Canton Lucerne, with construction beginning in August 2014 at this location. It represents the evolution of Swiss library cooperation traditions, reimagined through modern automated logistics and digital systems.
This facility functions as a shared collection hub where Swiss libraries pool their holdings while maintaining independent access to the full inventory. The cooperative model reflects how libraries today think together rather than in isolation, pooling resources to serve more readers efficiently.
Visitors can explore the facility through guided tours to understand how the automated systems operate, with advance registration required beforehand. Weekday visits offer the best experience since operations run at full capacity and the workflows are easy to observe.
The building earned certification to Switzerland's highest energy standard, Minergie P, using geothermal heating, solar panels, and heat recovery systems throughout its operations. This environmental focus makes it a model for how large infrastructure projects can minimize resource consumption.
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