Sprinkler Installation to Limit Wilson Library Special Collections Access in 2011-12

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sprinkler installation to limit wilson library special collections access in 2011-12

Click here for Sprinkler Project collection/item availability request form

Update: 15 February 2012.

The project announced in April 2011 to install sprinklers in the stacks of the Wilson Special Collections Library is underway.

The Wilson stacks levels containing General Manuscripts, Southern Historical Collection, Southern Folklife Collection, and University Archives materials are completely reopened.

Wilson stacks levels containing the majority of the Rare Book Collection are now closed. Please contact Wilson Library staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu, or (919) 962-3765, regarding access to materials in this collection. Some Rare Book Collection stack areas are expected to begin reopening in early March 2012. Please contact Wilson Library staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu, or (919) 962-3765, regarding access to materials in this collection.

Beginning in late-February 2012, sprinkler installation will affect some North Carolina Collection stacks. Users needing access to North Carolina Collection materials from February through May 2012, should contact Wilson Library immediately: wilsonlibrary@unc.edu, (919) 962-3765, or use the materials request form by following the link above. Staff will make every effort to set needed materials aside.

Description of the Sprinkler Installation Project

Installation of fire sprinklers in the Wilson Special Collections Library stacks has begun. The project will affect the availability of research materials during the 2011-12 academic year.

During the project, which is expected to last approximately one year, each of the library's nine stack floors will be closed for about eight weeks in order to protect library collections. The materials in each work zone will be enclosed in floor-to-ceiling protective sheeting and will be inaccessible until the floor re-opens.

The Wilson Library staff is reminding users to contact us now to reduce the impact on research and teaching activities.

Users who expect to need specific special collections materials for research or teaching during the 2011-12 academic year should contact Wilson Library as soon as possible. With early notice, staff will make every effort to work with users to identify and make these collection materials available during the project. Staff can also advise on the availability of collections during the installation.

At different times, the project will affect materials from the North Carolina Collection, the North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, the Rare Book Collection, the Southern Historical Collection, the Southern Folklife Collection, and the University Archives and Records Management Services.

Direct questions regarding access to collection materials to Wilson Library at (919) 962-3765 or wilsonlibrary@unc.edu. To request availability of specific collection materials during the sprinkler project, use our online request form and we will make every attempt to ensure that the specific collection materials requested are available during the time period specified on the form.

The project is expected to cause little disruption in the reading rooms, exhibit galleries, and other public areas of the library.

The sprinkler project is funded by a grant from the Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections program of the National Endowment for the Humanities and by previous state appropriations to the University for repairs and renovations.

The sprinklers will provide long-needed fire suppression capabilities for the rare, unique, and largely irreplaceable research materials housed in one of UNC's landmark buildings.