Tour 32’ tall library stacks! The University of Minnesota Libraries Collections Facility was constructed in 2025 to house over 3 million books, journals, and other items efficiently and sustainably. Its high-density shelves maximize storage space, while a geothermal system provides an energy-efficient preservation environment.
What to Expect
Attendees can take a guided tour of the Collections Facility Stacks. Attendees will learn about the 60,000 square foot building’s sustainability features, as well as participate in some self guided activities to learn how we processed nearly 2 million volumes into the stacks in a single year. Attendees will have an opportunity to view a variety of interesting books that we keep housed in our stacks, from the smallest to the largest physical materials.
Guided tours will start approximately every 10-15 minutes.
Be Prepared
Parking There is street parking on Como Ave, as well as a metered lot south of the building and a small number of metered spots in a small parking lot to the North of the building.
The tour will include a fair amount of walking and standing on smooth concrete; comfortable footwear with good treads is recommended.