UM’s Department of Archives and Special Collections at the J.D. Williams Library is temporarily closed so workers can clean up mold.
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi’s Department of Archives and Special Collections at the J.D. Williams Library is temporarily closed so workers can clean up mold, and though it’s unknown how long the remediation will take, there are still many ways to access large portions of the collection.
The library still offers substantial access to Special Collections materials while the work continues, said Julia Rholes, professor and dean of UM Libraries. Much of the collection is available online.
“Over the years, we have digitized many of our archival collections and finding aids and they are available on the library’s website,” Rholes said. “We have also placed some Special Collections items on reserve for certain classes and we are also able to respond to phone and email questions. Finally, our Modern Political Archives collection and most of our visual archival collections are in a different building and can be accessed by users with prior notice.”
None of the items in the collections have been lost to mold, which is being attacked before the problem gets worse and causes damage. A few public service locations will be unavailable during the cleanup, as some space is needed to house items while work is being done in the Special Collections area.
The university’s Department of Facilities Planning has supported the library cleanup efforts and is also working on a new HVAC plan designed to prevent mold. The mold has not spread beyond Special Collections, library officials said.
Faculty, staff and administration have all been supportive, and scholars have been working with Special Collections staff to meet their research needs while the work continues, said Jennifer Ford, associate professor and head of Archives and Special Collections.
“We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from the public, donors and the university community,” Ford said. “The entire library and, in particular, the staff of Special Collections wants to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
To contact the staff of Special Collections, which has been moved to accommodate the cleanup, call 662-915-7408 or email archivesdept@olemiss.edu.