At its March 20, 2025, meeting, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved the budget and construction contract for the University Library’s Archives and Special Collections building project. Construction will begin in late spring and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

This approval marks the official launch of transforming the former Undergraduate Library into a new home for three special collections units: the University Archives, the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, and the Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

The project was originally approved in January 2022, but initial construction bids exceeded the project budget. After project scope adjustments were made to support revised cost estimates, a successful bid was secured in May 2024.

“We are thrilled to move forward with this transformational project. These exceptional collections are heavily used in teaching here at Illinois and by scholars from all over the world, and there will now be a dedicated research center to house all of these activities. Strong support from our donor community, students, and university leadership has made this possible,” said Claire Stewart, the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries and University Librarian.

The Undergraduate Library closed on May 13, 2022, with undergraduate services integrated into the Main Library, Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, Funk ACES Library, and other campus libraries.