The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press is pleased to announce that construction has begun on a major renovation of the Special Collections space in Morris Library. This project, envisioned since 2018, will significantly enhance access to and visibility of the Library’s world-class rare and unique materials.

“Special Collections are at the heart of how we preserve history and promote original research at the University of Delaware,” said Trevor A. Dawes, Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums and May Morris University Librarian. “This renovation will not only improve how we protect, preserve, and care for these materials, but also how our students, faculty members and global scholars access these resources.”

The renovation will transform the second floor of Morris Library to include a welcoming reading room designed for quiet research, new exhibition display and reception area. The Mark Samuels Lasner Collection will be relocated to this floor to highlight its importance and increase accessibility.

Library services from Special Collections will continue to be offered in the current space throughout construction.

The construction wall will be visible on both the second floor—where the renovation is taking place—and the first floor, around the atrium stairwell. This area will serve as the main access point for moving materials between floors, with the assistance of a scissor lift.

Regular updates are available at Building and System Updates.

Visitors and donors can visit the Support this Project page to contribute to the vision of Building a New Home for Special Collections.