Main Stacks

Anthropology students have protested the decision to close three of UC Berkeley’s libraries and reallocate their materials since February, when the “Long-term Space Plan” was proposed.

The ASUC meeting on Wednesday marked a win for students and community members fighting to preserve the George and Mary Foster Anthropology Library. ASUC Senators moved to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 22/23-038 to indefinitely postpone the impending closure of the library.

UC Berkeley Library released its long-term plan Thursday, moving toward a “layered” system that allocates library services on three different levels as well as merges the collections and staffs of select libraries. The plan will be implemented in spring 2023 and is expected to be completed by fall 2025. 

UC Berkeley’s libraries are generally quiet places of refuge for studying during Reading, Review and Recitation week, or dead week. On Thursday night, however, this silence was broken as students gathered for the semesterly Naked Run.

Our campus has seen the construction of some of California’s most iconic and exemplary buildings — many of which still stand today.

Doe Library and Main Stacks will extend hours, remaining open until 2 a.m. starting March 28, according to a UC Berkeley Library announcement. 

The Physics-Astronomy Library will be closed starting March 21 due to ongoing staffing shortages. The library will likely remain closed through the summer semester. 

Several UC Berkeley libraries will be extending their hours once additional employees are hired to cover the required shifts.

As Moffitt Library and Main Stacks have extended their hours around the clock throughout Reading, Review and Recitation and finals weeks, library employees have reported staffing shortages and increased student misconduct.

It’s thanks to the activism of students over the years that we have the time we do to reset, recharge and prepare for finals.