Construction is well underway on several significant UBC Library Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) and University Archives (UA) projects. A flurry of activity has taken over RBSC’s spaces, set to a symphony of power tools, whirling fans and shop vacs. The walls are stripped down to their metal studs, and the cement floors and ceiling ducts have been laid bare, ready for their glow-up.
Take a short trip with us, during a moment of calm, to see what’s in store for 2026.
Upgrades to the vault
RBSC and UA’s primary storage vault is a climate-controlled, secure storage area and a treasure trove of UBC Library’s archival and special collections materials. In early 2025, RBSC received funding approval from UBC Routine Capital to complete the Air Handling Unit (AHU) replacement project in the vault. The project includes installing two AHUs and a transition room to create a space for proper acclimatization of more climate-sensitive objects between the cool storage of the vault and reading room temperatures.
Photo: New acclimatization room, under construction.
A unique learning and collections space featuring the personal library of George Bowering
Work on a new seminar room and teaching space kicked off last spring, thanks to generous support of our donors. The seminar room will serve as a much-needed teaching and learning space for students and faculty to interact hands-on with unique primary source materials, while also showcasing the personal library collection of poet George Bowering, from the art on the walls to the books on the shelves.
Photo: Concept art for a new seminar room and teaching space, featuring the personal library of poet George Bowering.
Coming soon
We’re looking forward to reopening RBSC and UA’s public spaces in 2026 and welcoming back UBC faculty, staff and students, visiting scholars, researchers and the wider community. Stay tuned for more updates in the new year!
Photo: UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives is undergoing major renovations to upgrade its spaces.