Conservation lab at new library will preserve rare materials

By Nancy George

SMU broke ground Thursday, May 1 on the Rees-Jones Library of the American West. The library will house the Rees-Jones Collection of Western Americana, which consists of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps and other artifacts. It also will be home to the holdings of SMU’s DeGolyer Library and its complementary special collections.  The library will be a premier destination for scholars, students and history enthusiasts.

Formed during the past 20 years by Dallas entrepreneur Trevor Rees-Jones, the Rees-Jones Collection has become one of the most significant holdings of Western Americana in the country. 

A diverse and deep resource for Western Americana research, the collection includes items from the late 17th-century to the mid-20th century.

The library will feature study areas, reading nooks and a grand reading room. A digitization and conservation lab will preserve rare materials, while a map room and gallery will support hands-on learning. Exhibition and seminar rooms will bring history to life for scholars and visitors.

Since the May 5, 2023 announcement of a $30 million commitment to construction and endowment, plus the gift of the Rees-Jones Collection valued at more than $100 million, establishing the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, Trevor Rees-Jones and his wife, Jan, have continued to make significant contributions for collection enhancement and expenses related to the incorporation of the collection into the SMU library system.