Libraries as Community

At a research university the size of UCI, how do we define the common community experience? Perhaps the one shared experience for all students is the Libraries. Regardless of interests, major, organizations or activities, all students spend some amount of time in the libraries.

Every day in the UCI Libraries...

UCI Libraries buildings receive more than 6,200 visits.
The Libraries' website receives nearly 20,000 virtual visits.
Libraries' users conduct 5,000 searches in ANTPAC and 4,000 searches in electronic journal databases.
Overall, nearly 10,400 digital and physical library items are checked out, renewed, viewed, or used.
About 260 research and directional questions are answered by reference staff.
33 students participate in research instruction sessions.

...the Libraries are still a key symbol of what it means to participate in the community of the mind.

These statistics give a vivid picture of the constant activity and energy that the UCI community brings to the use of the Libraries. But the numbers don't quite do justice to a deeper shift in the role of the Libraries in supporting and expanding the concept of an academic community. Undergraduate education has changed to become much more participatory and group-oriented which has led to a difference in how students use the Libraries' facilities.

What goes into defining a library has not changed. The UCI Libraries still bring together students who are pursuing individual study and seeking personal scholarly excellence. But the Libraries are now much more than a collection of books, journals, special collections, and traditional library services, however important that remains. The Libraries are the place to meet – for group study, talking over the events of the day, and simply rubbing elbows with fellow students, especially when other campus facilities are closed late in the evening. It is also the place for collaborative work on projects and presentations as a community of learners.

The research university of the 21st century has few symbolic centers, but the Libraries are still a key symbol of what it means to participate in the community of the mind. In a survey last spring students expressed their perceptions that the Libraries provide essential space where they can join like-minded individuals in the pursuit of academic excellence. Since many students live off-campus and work during the day, the Libraries' facilities are of critical importance to them for a safe and inviting study environment when they need it most.

To ensure our ability to meet these new, changing demands, the Libraries continue to renovate study areas to allow for more active, participatory learning. Ayala Science Library Grand Reading Room was renovated this summer, following upgrades to Langson Library and Special Collections, Libraries' Gateway Study Center, and Grunigen Medical Library over the last two years.

The Campaign for the Libraries builds on this effort by raising critical funds to enhance the Libraries' collections, services and outreach programs, grow our staff and facilities, and expand our information technologies. We invite you to learn more on our Supporters & Friends website at partners.lib.uci.edu. For further information about the Campaign for the Libraries please contact Interim Director of Development Julie Sully at jsully@uci.edu or 949.824.4658.


		Libraries as Community At a research university the size of UCI, how do we define the common community experience? Perhaps the one shared experience for all students is the Libraries. Regardless of interests, major, organizations or activities, all students spend some amount of time in the libraries. Every day in the UCI Libraries... UCI Libraries buildings receive more than 6,200 visits. The Libraries' website receives nearly 20,000 virtual visits. Libraries' users conduct 5,000 searches in ANTPAC and 4,000 searches in electronic journal databases. Overall, nearly 10,400 digital and physical library items are checked out, renewed, viewed, or used. About 260 research and directional questions are answered by reference staff. 33 students participate in research instruction sessions. ...the Libraries are still a key symbol of what it means to participate in the community of the mind. These statistics give a vivid picture of the constant activity and energy that the UCI community brings to the use of the Libraries. But the numbers don't quite do justice to a deeper shift in the role of the Libraries in supporting and expanding the concept of an academic community. Undergraduate education has changed to become much more participatory and group-oriented which has led to a difference in how students use the Libraries' facilities. What goes into defining a library has not changed. The UCI Libraries still bring together students who are pursuing individual study and seeking personal scholarly excellence. But the Libraries are now much more than a collection of books, journals, special collections, and traditional library services, however important that remains. The Libraries are the place to meet – for group study, talking over the events of the day, and simply rubbing elbows with fellow students, especially when other campus facilities are closed late in the evening. It is also the place for collaborative work on projects and presentations as a community of learners. The research university of the 21st century has few symbolic centers, but the Libraries are still a key symbol of what it means to participate in the community of the mind. In a survey last spring students expressed their perceptions that the Libraries provide essential space where they can join like-minded individuals in the pursuit of academic excellence. Since many students live off-campus and work during the day, the Libraries' facilities are of critical importance to them for a safe and inviting study environment when they need it most. To ensure our ability to meet these new, changing demands, the Libraries continue to renovate study areas to allow for more active, participatory learning. Ayala Science Library Grand Reading Room was renovated this summer, following upgrades to Langson Library and Special Collections, Libraries' Gateway Study Center, and Grunigen Medical Library over the last two years. The Campaign for the Libraries builds on this effort by raising critical funds to enhance the Libraries' collections, services and outreach programs, grow our staff and facilities, and expand our information technologies. We invite you to learn more on our Supporters & Friends website at partners.lib.uci.edu. For further information about the Campaign for the Libraries please contact Interim Director of Development Julie Sully at jsully@uci.edu or 949.824.4658.