Construction Begins on New Home for Special Collections at Morris Library

After years of careful planning and preparation, the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press is pleased to announce that construction will begin the second week of June 2025 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 and care for these materials, but also how we share them with our students, faculty, visiting researchers and the broader community.”

The renovation will transform the second floor of Morris Library to include a new reception area and welcoming reading room designed for quiet research and public engagement. The Mark Samuels Lasner Collection—an internationally recognized assemblage of British literature and art from the Victorian period—will be relocated to this floor to highlight its importance and increase accessibility.

Additional improvements include:

• New and more welcoming entryway for researchers and visitors
• A collaborative research room to support group work
• Updated and accessible restrooms on north end of the second floor
• Modernized and expanded staff office space

What to Expect During Construction

Library services from Special Collections will continue to be offered in the current space throughout construction. To accommodate the renovation, a carefully planned book shift took place on the lower level and is being completed on the second floor. Shelving will be dismantled in early June, and a construction wall will be installed shortly thereafter.

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. As part of this process, the large Interlace sculpture suspended in the atrium will be temporarily removed and safely stored.

“The good news is that the popular second floor atrium study space will remain open and available throughout the renovation,” said Shelly McCoy, associate university librarian for public services and space planning. “We’ve worked hard to minimize disruption while still moving forward with a project that is vital to the future of the Library. As with any major construction, some noise is expected, and while the renovation is centered on the second floor, related work may be heard throughout the building. We will offer visitors free earplugs and are doing our best to concentrate on the noisiest work taking place during the summer, when the Library is typically less busy.”

To ensure safety and accessibility:

• The atrium stairwell will be closed on the lower level through second floor; access to these floors will be available via other stairwells and elevators.
• The north elevator (near Interlibrary Loan) and its adjacent stairwell door will not open on the second floor since that is in the construction zone.
• Navigational signage will be posted to assist Library users.

Timeline and Looking Ahead

Substantial completion of the construction is projected for January 2026, with the Special Collections team transitioning into the new space during the Spring semester. The fully renovated space will better reflect the Library’s commitment to preservation, access and engagement.

Regular updates, including a project timeline, FAQs, and photo gallery, are available on the Building and System Updates webpage. Visitors can also find a link to Support this Project, where donors can contribute to the vision of Building a New Home for Special Collections.

This transformative renovation marks a new chapter for Special Collections and reaffirms the University of Delaware’s role as a steward of knowledge and history for generations to come.