UC Merced Library: A 21st Century Research Library

This library isn’t a place for gathering dust.

It’s a gathering place for people. Find a space that’s comfortable and that fits your needs.

The first floor looks more like a student union than a library. Take care of business for both student government and student services, drop by the book store, grab a mocha in the coffee shop, and meet your friends in the café-style seating area.

Head upstairs to the reading rooms for individual carrels and traditional library tables. If you prefer a big sofa and a coffee table, we have those, too. (Yes, you can bring drinks and snacks into the reading rooms.)

Use the collaborative workrooms to tackle group projects with the aid of high-tech tools. Throughout the building there are ample places to plug laptops into power and data connections, and wireless network access is ubiquitous. Bring your own laptop or check one out for use in the building.

Perhaps you simply want a quiet place for study and reflection. Then go to the magnificent McFadden-Willis Reading Room on the fourth floor for a comfy chair and terrific views of Lake Yosemite, the mountains, and the valley.

This library connects users to online content for scholarly research.

The Internet is wide-ranging, but the bulk of the information needed for scholarly study and research is not freely available and cannot be found in a Google search. The UC Merced Library acquires and manages subscriptions to millions of scholarly articles in electronic journals, tens of thousands of electronic books, and hundreds of databases. Thanks to the Library, UC Merced students and faculty can access these scholarly electronic resources at any time with a connection to the Internet.

The collection has what you want.

The Library has many books and DVD movies on the shelves to support study in the areas of UC Merced specialization and to also provide a break from study with recreational reading and viewing. If what you need is not in the building, then use the University of California systemwide library catalog to request free, overnight courier delivery for any of the 32 million volumes at the other UC campuses.

Help yourself. Or not.

Self-checkout stations make it easy to check out your books. It's as simple as passing them over a counter with your wallet on top. You don’t have to stand in line. If you should need help with anything from finding the bathroom to getting an answer to a tough reference question, the Library staff is available to help you.

One-stop shopping.

Drop by the Help Desk for anything you need. Call us with your cell phone while you are in the book stacks. Ask a question online. Our goal is to help you get the information you need as easily and as quickly as possible.

Welcome to the future of libraries.

View construction photos by Hans Marsen