UMN Libraries 2025 Impact Report

Lisa German, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries. (Photo/Adria Carpenter)

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Every year, as we work on our annual Impact Report, I am filled with a deep sense of appreciation for all that the University of Minnesota Libraries’ librarians and staff accomplish in a given year, and 2024–25 was no exception.

From supporting thousands of students, to being a key component of the University’s research enterprise, to conducting extensive outreach to the community at large, UMN Libraries has much to be proud of in advancing the mission of the University of Minnesota this past year. UMN Libraries is not merely a repository of information, we are the heart of the University. We are the people who connect researchers to data, students to resources, and the community to information that can transform lives.

One of our most significant accomplishments this year was the opening of our new Collections Facility in May. This new, 60,000-square-foot building will dramatically improve our ability to meet our long-term preservation needs. The facility will eventually hold approximately 3.7 million volumes and will allow for the growth of our collections as well as enable the preservation and access of unique and rare materials. This will make possible a reconceptualization of high demand, on-campus spaces for students, researchers, and instructors—a vital need for the University in the years to come.

There’s much more to share, so I invite you to read through the report and connect with me afterwards. Whether you are a long-time supporter, or have newly discovered the work of UMN Libraries, I am grateful for your philanthropic support and engagement. Thanks to you, we are able to fulfill our mission of expanding access to information, strengthening research and teaching, and enriching communities throughout Minnesota, the region, and the world.

Warm regards,
Lisa German
University Librarian and Dean of Libraries