The UC Merced Library is an indispensable partner in learning, discovery, and the creation of knowledge. We are engaging with students, faculty, and the larger community to further the research, education, and service mission of the university.
Our Impact
- We create tech-forward digital and physical spaces that support academic success, collaboration, and information access.
We recorded over 378,000 visits to the Kolligian Library, aover 8,000 collaborative work room bookings, and 356,000+ virtual visits to the Library website and its research guides (25-26).
- We equip students with skills needed to find, evaluate, and effectively use a range of information sources.
Our Library staff taught 118 sessions to over 2,900 students to support their coursework and research projects (25-26).
- We create experiences to cultivate student belonging, connect our campus community with library resources, and spark inquiry.
Our Library staff connected with hundreds of students at opne house & orientations, shared resources through 1,093 reference transactions, and hosted exhibits and events that highlighted faculty research, campus history, and our region’s communities.
- We offer students valuable employment and mentorship experiences to expand their workplace competitiveness, professional skills, and awareness of information-science careers.
We work yearly with 25+ students across our Library operations; a number of alumni have since pursued professional work in libraries, archives and museums.
- We preserve and create broad access to primary source collections of interest to the region and wider world, including materials at risk of being overlooked, lost, or destroyed.
We acquired over 30,000 George Ballis photographs spotlighting farm worker communities in the Central Valley and rescued the archives of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from wildfire.
Our Giving Opportunities
With your support we can engage in projects and activities that enhance the Library’s physical and digital spaces, contribute to students' academic success, meet researcher needs in our evolving information landscape, preserve distinctive collections, and invest in student education & employment. Your generosity will sustain the Library’s commitment to preserving our past, expanding engagement, and investing in our future. Contribute by giving to one of these three funds.
University Library Catalyst Fund (unrestricted)
Flexible funding will be applied to the Library’s most pressing needs and initiatives aligned with our overarching funding priorities.
Archives & Special Collections Expansion Fund
Funding the archives will support activities that ensure valuable primary sources are preserved, digitized, and made accessible to a range of users, including the public, students, and researchers.
Your generosity will allow us to:
- Acquire valuable collections that should remain in this region and will illuminate this region’s rich history.
- Offer student fellowships to expand their professional knowledge for future work in museums, libraries, and archives.
- Acquire specialized software and high-functioning equipment to advance digitization efforts, meet preservation standards, and support efficient operations.
- Grow professional staff to increase our capacity to engage in archival activities and education.
- Enrich public conversations through exhibits and programming to showcase our region’s diversity, inspire important dialogue, and reflect on our shared future.
If interested in contributing to an endowment for the establishment of a Sierra Nevada-Central Valley Archive, please contact University Librarian Sarah Forzetting sforzetting@ucmerced.edu.
Establishing the Sierra Nevada Central Valley Archives (PDF)
Our Funding Priorities
Discover more details about the activities involved with Preserving Our Past, Expanding Engagement, and Investing in Our Future.
Additional Resources
We are thankful for the many who have supported the Library since its beginning. We also provide documentation for those considering a gift.
