$500,000 Grant Supports Special Collections and Archives Upgrades

Wright State University received a $500,000 Ohio Community Investments Grant to fund critical upgrades to the Special Collections and Archives facility, with work scheduled for completion in December 2026.

The grant supports the long-term vision of creating a modern, functional space that advances the preservation of collections, research, instruction, outreach, and public engagement. Although the broader project encompasses approximately 15,000 square feet within Dunbar Library, the current funding will address immediate collection storage and visitor needs.

A central component of the project is the installation of high-density compact shelving designed specifically for archival materials. Much of the existing shelving is outdated or bowing, while some collections are stored on standard library shelving that was not designed for archival use. The new system will improve preservation conditions, expand storage capacity, increase access to collections, and accommodate future growth.

The project also includes additional new furniture and furnishings to better support researchers, classes, community groups, and campus visitors. Use of Special Collections and Archives has grown in recent years through research appointments, instructional sessions, exhibits, and tours, creating a need for more flexible and welcoming public spaces.

Updates to finishes in the reading room will create a more inviting, accessible, and contemporary environment. These enhancements will strengthen the user experience and increase the visibility of Special Collections and Archives as a destination for teaching, learning, research, and community engagement.

The grant builds on the momentum of the successful National Aviation Heritage Area Large Grant facilities project, completed in September 2025. That project updated reading room furniture and supported significant preservation improvements, including enclosing the collections area from the open atrium, converting fluorescent lighting to LED, and protecting collections with UV-filtering window film and shades.

Together, these projects represent an important phase in the modernization of Special Collections and Archives. They will help ensure that Wright State University’s unique historical collections are preserved, accessible, and available to future generations.