“We are thrilled to be underway with construction on this project. Our exceptional archives and special collections are heavily used in teaching here at Illinois and by scholars around the world. Currently dispersed across multiple campus locations, these collections—and the talented faculty and staff stewarding them—will finally unite in a single facility offering greater access and stronger security.”
Claire Stewart, Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries and University Librarian
In the first phase, we will transform the current Undergraduate Library building into an Archives and Special Collections building which will house the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the University Archives, and the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections. There is a critical need to improve access, preservation and conservation of our special collections which are currently housed in disparate and less than ideal environments. This new space will centralize collections and provide optimal conditions for preservation and scholarly access.
Undergraduate services will be centralized in the Main Library with other resources and services. Undergraduates will benefit from the elimination of the divisions between undergraduate and graduate students. Therefore, we have created a new model to centrally support all University scholars and provide a more comprehensive learning environment for undergraduates.
Future phases of the transformation will include renovation of the Main Library stacks, additional instruction and meeting space, and will culminate with enhancement of the Archives and Special Collections building to include state-of-the-art exhibit and instructional space.