Spring 2019

Dear Friends,

Springtime is often associated with growth, change, and renewal---and we have exciting news to share about new gifts, collections acquisitions, and major design improvements to our study areas!

We are pleased to announce a new endowment established by Phyllis Friedman Agran and Larry Agran to support the processing, preservation, and access to our Orange County Regional History Archive—which is one of our most heavily used collections by both campus and community users.

A legendary figure in Orange County history is the Polish Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska.  The Libraries have extensive archival collections that document her life and theatrical performances.  One of our most recent acquisitions is a unique hand-written and illustrated fairy tale book by Helena Modjeska, written for her grandson and  called, Titi, Nunu, and Klembolo.   We hope you will enjoy reading our article about how this book has been digitized and is viewable to users from around the world, and how we partnered with the Laguna Art Museum to display it in an exhibit (March 3-May 27, 2019).  This rare book truly reflects the artistry and storytelling prowess of Madame Modjeska.

Library study areas serve as important learning spaces for students, and we are always looking for new ways to improve and enhance them.   There have been some exciting new changes in all three libraries this spring. The Grunigen Medical Library Research Lounge is a new 24/7 study space with improved work stations, and access to the newly renovated Forest J. and Dolores S. Grunigen Study Room. The Research Lounge also features futuristic re-energizing nap pods!   In the Science Library, donations from last year’s Giving Day were used to fund several bike study work stations that support students’ health while they study.  And the generosity of Giving Day donors last year will also help us acquire the technology and furniture to create a future Collaboration Room on the first floor of Langson Library. 

The UCI Libraries is proud to issue its inaugural “Social Impact Report”, which highlights the many ways our library employees work to benefit and advance society. 

We also hope you will enjoy reading about some of our past library events that engaged the campus and community.  And under “Upcoming Events,” we give you a preview list of some exciting events for the summer.  Hope to see you there!

Sincerely, 

Lorelei Tanji 
University Librarian