Library, Museums and Press Staff
April 18, 2025

Help Build a New Home for Special Collections this I Heart UD Giving Day

On I Heart UD Giving Day—Wednesday, April 30, 2025, the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press invites Blue Hens everywhere to rally behind a visionary initiative: Building a New Home for Special Collections. 

Special Collections is one of UD’s most treasured assets—home to rare books, manuscripts and materials that inspire discovery and preserve the richness of our shared history. From an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln to the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection of British literary works, these holdings offer transformative learning and research experiences to students, faculty and scholars from around the world. 

Yet, the current space in Morris Library is limited, dimly lit and underutilized. That’s why we’re launching a transformative renovation project, grounded in the principles of beauty, transparency and accessibility, to ensure this world-class collection has a world-class home. 

The Vision for the New Space Includes: 

  • A welcoming reception area to increase visibility and access 
  • A modern reading room to support immersive, student-centered research 
  • A dynamic exhibition space, open whenever the Library is open 
  • Collaborative research rooms for faculty and student group exploration 
  • A new home for the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection, equipped with state-of-the-art furnishings and technology 

  

This renovation will not only enhance learning, research and preservation, but also cultivate diversity and inclusivity by elevating underrepresented histories and offering a more inviting experience for all. 

How You Can Support: 

Make your gift—of any amount—at givingday.udel.edu/library and help us write the next chapter in the life of Special Collections. Your support will make a lasting impact on current and future generations of Blue Hens. 

🗓️ Early giving begins April 25
📅 I Heart UD Giving Day is Wednesday, April 30 

To learn more about the Special Collections project, available naming opportunities or how to get involved, visit library.udel.edu/giving.