As one MLAC era ends, another begins anew

The Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) is a collection of materials from libraries across Minnesota, housed in high-density storage in caverns underneath the University of Minnesota’s West Bank campus. In March, MLAC staff will begin preparation for the move of the entirety of these 1.5 million volumes to the new, above-ground, Offsite Collections Facility, which is currently in the final stages of construction.

As a part of that preparation, the final day for MLAC materials to be requested will be February 28. Returns of materials will continue to come in over the weeks and months. Materials will be unavailable during the move, which is scheduled to be completed by March, 2026. MLAC depositing libraries are aware of this timing, and are planning for it.

MLAC is a program of the University of Minnesota Libraries, operated by Minitex. Depositing libraries committed to retain materials for a period of 25 years, ending in 2036. That shared commitment to retention and management will persist both during and after the move.

The Offsite Collections Facility's book shelves stand 32 feet tall, nearly twice as high as those in the current MLAC cavern. As a result, the new facility is projected to hold 3.3 million volumes. In addition to MLAC depositor collections, the facility will house additional collections from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Moving MLAC, along with numerous other campus collections, is an enormous undertaking. The effort is being led by an impressive team comprised of University Libraries staff along with their Minitex MLAC colleagues. The move marks a major transition in the history of MLAC. Our commitment to the retention and management of important but seldom-used materials, however, remains the same.