Visitor Information
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Berkeley's excellence is founded on its Library. From a collection of
one thousand books in 1868—the year the University of California was
established—the Library has grown into one of the world's great research
collections, with over ten million volumes. It is ranked as the top public
research university library in the country.
From the elegant Morrison Library and
the grand reading rooms in Doe, to busy Moffitt and the intimate scholarly
communities fostered at the subject specialty libraries, the University
Library is the intellectual commons of the Berkeley experience.
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Visitors can pick up a brochure at the north and south entrances of Doe
Memorial Library that offers a self-guided tour of the highlights of this
grand building:
- the North and Heyns Reading Rooms on the second floor
- the Morrison Library, near the north entrance
- the Bernice Layne Brown exhibit gallery
- and the History Gallery
The Berkeley collection is housed in several dozen libraries throughout
campus including James K. Moffitt Library, Bancroft Library, the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Doe Memorial Library, over a dozen subject specialty
libraries, and eleven affiliated libraries.
Most of the subject specialty and affiliated libraries are open to visits
from the public. A campus map showing locations of these libraries is
available at Doe entrances, online, and on display in
the History Gallery.
The newest library on campus is the C.V. Starr East
Asian Library, which faces Doe Memorial Library across Memorial Glade.
Designed by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, the building boasts
a custom-designed bronze screen reminiscent of Chinese and Korean
latticework. It is the first freestanding library in the United States
constructed exclusively for an East Asian collection.
Many libraries offer tours of their buildings and collections. Check
this comprehensive list of library tours for the latest
schedule. Visitor Services
provides information and assistance for your visit to the campus. More information on accessing library collections is available on
the Library's web site.
Exhibits in the University Library
The Bernice Layne Brown Gallery, inside Doe's north entrance, hosts exhibits
that highlight the breadth of library collections and academic interests
on campus. Just around the corner, historical photos line the hallway's
walls, offering fascinating glimpses of the ever-changing campus. The
adjacent History Gallery celebrates the people, places, growth, teaching
and collections of the libraries at Berkeley.
The Environmental Design Library in Wurster Hall
hosts extensive exhibits of rare and archival materials. Many
of the other subject specialty and affiliated libraries offer smaller
displays as well. Don't miss the Triceratops skulls and life-size T. Rex
skeleton at the entrance to the Marian Koshland
Bioscience and Natural Resources Library, and treasured manuscripts
from the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library!
The Free Speech Movement Café
Located in the southwest corner of the Moffitt Library building, the café commemorates the campus Free
Speech Movement of the 1960s. Along with coffee drinks, the café serves
soups, salads, sandwiches and pastries, using organic, local and
sustainable ingredients where possible.
Become a Friend of the Library
The Library Associates are a group of
friends, book lovers, alumni and faculty who support the Library. Members
enjoy various benefits along with the pleasure of knowing that they are
supporting one of the world's great intellectual resources. For more
information, please call the Library Development Office at (510) 642-9377,
or visit its website.
"I hold a Library and Education to be almost synonymous."
Professor William Swinton, University Librarian 1869-1874
Copyright © 2012
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Last updated 06/06/12. Server manager: contact
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