In 2023, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded UC Merced an Infrastructure & Capacity Building Challenge Grant, which Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz matched with funds from the 2022 Mackenzie Scott gift to UC Merced. The grant supports the creation of secure, climate-controlled archives and special collections storage in the Kolligian Library building; a public reading room; and an archives learning and programming space.
Working with local firm Darden Architects, we completed the design and construction documents for these spaces and construction began in 2025. Renovation of the Library’s fourth floor and second floor conference room is currently underway to create:
Expanded, Secure Storage
Archives and special collections require the right environment to ensure they are protected from damage and deterioration and are preserved for use. Without the proper temperature and humidity control, photographs can fade, paper can become moldy, and other forms of media will corrode. The original archives and special collections storage space in the Library was built without the required climate controls, and overhead plumbing lines present a risk of water leakage. A newly designed storage space with expanded storage capacity will include a dedicated HVAC unit to maintain appropriate climate control for the archives.
Archives Instruction and Programming Space
The KL232 conference room with adjacent kitchenette and storage closets will be furnished as an instruction space to accommodate classes of up to 30-40 students. The audiovisual systems and instructional technology will be upgraded and new furniture will allow for flexible configuration. The space also will be used to host public events such as talks, symposia, workshops, exhibit openings, film screenings, and other humanities programming.
We continue to seek philanthropic support to complete the planned program, which will renovate a dedicated reading room for researchers to use our collections and upgrade our high-density storage space. Climate-controlled conditioning would be extended to these spaces; overhead water lines moved; and lighting and equipment would be updated for efficiency, collections security, and code compliance.
