Launching into a new year has been an exciting time for the UCI Libraries as we continue to deliver high-quality services and
resources during the pandemic that support students, faculty, and staff, who are learning or working remotely from home. The Libraries have always been a place where patrons find expertise of all kinds - and now more than ever, the Libraries are essential and accessible.
In-person research consultations with skilled librarians have transitioned to easy-to-schedule virtual meet ups. Books can be borrowed and picked up via safe curb-side appointments. Primary source materials in Special Collections and Archives can be explored by requesting digital scans that are delivered electronically. Learning new technologies or research methods in a workshop can be done remotely in real time or viewed later at the user’s convenience. Content has become easier to access as we expand online resources (eBooks, eJournals, databases, and streaming media). And we’ve redesigned and converted all our library instruction classes to adapt to the new virtual environment for maximum learning impact.
As we continue to meet the needs of today, we are also looking forward. Planning for a post-pandemic future where the libraries’ physical learning spaces go hand-in-hand with the continued development of research collections and services. Renovations to the Science Library have been designed for the 21st century scholar. Transformations to the second and fifth floor will provide a technology-rich sandbox for students to explore, create and collaborate. When our doors open again, this unified interactive environment fostering teaching, learning and research will continue to advance our academic mission and support student success.
Additionally, the Libraries have focused on expanding our information resources that support diversity, equity and inclusion. To achieve this goal, we have licensed access to more content and launched new projects that enhance the discovery of and access to research materials that provide a wide diversity of views and expression.
We hope you will enjoy reading more about these recent endeavors and continue to support the Libraries, as we support the campus and community.
Lorelei Tanji
University Librarian