The Merced County Library is hosting a fossil exhibit through the summer courtesy of the State of California and Caltrans.

The fossils are on display after being discovered during construction of the Plainsburg-Arboleda Freeway Project along Highway 99 in Merced County. They were uncovered as part of a paleontological salvage and will be on display at the County’s Main Library at 2100 O Street in Merced.

The exhibit is open now and will remain open through the summer.

The fossils in this collection represent extinct, early Pleistocene vertebrate faunas of Merced County. These fossils are scientifically important and significant because they add to the knowledge of the Pleistocene faunal record of the County.

Library officials hope that the exhibit will inspire children to explore the sciences.

“Having the fossils within the library allows Merced County residents a chance to see and experience these museum-quality specimens up close,” said Merced County Librarian Amy Taylor. “It is marvelous to see children’s faces light up with wonderment as they approach the exhibit.”

Books about fossils, dinosaurs, paleontology and more are available to check out at the library.

The Fossil Exhibit is on display within the Children’s Section of the Merced Library during open hours. The Merced Library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.