Library News

In response to ongoing budget cuts across the University of California system, the UC Libraries have engaged in a collaborative and coordinated approach to reduce systemwide collections budget spending by 3.7%. With these systemwide decisions, we now have a finalized list (alternative access link for list) that includes both local and consortial resource cancellations.

With the exception of a couple of resources that were cancelled earlier this year, most resources will no longer be available as of January 1, 2026.

These difficult decisions to cancel selected systemwide resources were made collaboratively by the UC Libraries’ Shared Content Leadership Group (SCLG) and in consultation with the Council of University Librarians (CoUL) and the California Digital Library (CDL). The following principles guided the identification of systemwide resources to cut.

Coordinated action: UC Libraries collaborated to protect the integrity of systemwide subscriptions to digital resources, avoiding uncoordinated withdrawals that could disadvantage individual campuses.

Evidence-based evaluation: Decisions were informed by data, including cost-per-use, disciplinary relevance, and alignment with research and teaching priorities.

Equity across campuses: Reductions were distributed to minimize disproportionate impacts on any single discipline or institution.

Whole-contract approach: Preference was given to cancellations that allowed the entire UC system to withdraw from an agreement, rather than fragmenting participation.

Sustainability and value: Each agreement was assessed for its overall systemwide benefit, ensuring shared licenses deliver meaningful value and cost savings compared to campus-by-campus subscriptions.

Operational feasibility: Renewal timing, contract cycles, and administrative workload for CDL and campus staff were considered to minimize service disruptions to users.

Resource availability will be updated in UC Library Search and our A-Z Library Databases list. We also recommend the following strategies for information access.

• Request materials through Interlibrary Loan (ILL): Use ILL services to obtain materials including articles, book chapters, and books.
• Contact authors directly: Authors may be willing to share their publication upon request.
• Request individual book titles: Submit via our Recommend a Purchase Form. We will determine if we are able to purchase the title.
• Ask us for assistance: Contact your library liaison or email library@ucmerced.edu

In light of unprecedented budget cuts and local funding shortfalls, the UC Libraries will continue to pursue coordinated budget reduction strategies and a time-limited bridge funding over the next two years to preserve the majority of UC’s core, systemwide library content. The UC Libraries continue to co-invest in resources of benefit to the research and teaching mission of the university. 

Questions and Feedback

If you have any concerns or questions about these collection cuts or this systemwide approach, please be in contact with Sara Davidson Squibb or Jim Dooley.

Sara Davidson Squibb, Associate University Librarian for Research and Engagement (sdavidson2@ucmerced.edu)

Jim Dooley, Head of Collection Services (jdooley@ucmerced.edu)

Work begins on Archives instruction and programming space

Feb. 11, 2026

The large conference room on the Library's second floor (KL232) is being transformed into a state-of-the art, flexible programming space that will accommodate classes of up to 40 students seated at tables. The renovated space will provide room for students to see archival materials up close—be they manuscripts, renderings, maps, or other large formats. The hands-on experience of learning how to dig into historical records builds essential research skills, as students learn to identify and analyze different types of sources and their context.

Configured with lecture-style seating, the room will accommodate larger audiences for talks such as our Faculty Author Series, film screenings, exhibit receptions, or other public programs. The room has not seen a major renovation since opening day over twenty years ago, so we are very much looking forward to the upgraded furniture and technology.

Renderings of the room configured with seating arranged for up to 40 students, or pods for viewing larger materials and for collaboration.

The conference room in January, seen after selective demolition, will get a major technology upgrade and facelift.

Renovation updates

Dec. 19, 2025

Less than six weeks ago, the construction firm started with selective demolition on the Library’s fourth floor and then proceeded with framing out a wall that outlines the new and expanded footprint for collections storage space and the mechanical room. That wall has since been filled in, electrical rough-in work has been completed & inspected, and ducting work for the new HVAC system has been started.

Early December photo of the metal framed wall separating the new archival collections storage space and mechanical room from the library’s 4th floor stacks.

Mid-December photo of Archives and Special Collections space with framed wall filled in, ducting staged for the new HVAC system, and preliminary electrical roughed-in.

Construction begins

Oct. 20, 2025

We are excited to announce that construction to expand and renovate the UC Merced Library’s archives will begin Monday, November 10, 2025 with contractor Burke Diversified.

The McFadden-Willis Reading Room will be open during this time. The remainder of the 4th floor will be closed until construction is completed in summer 2026.  For access to Library materials located on the 4th floor, visit the 2nd floor Services Desk for assistance.

At completion, this project will result in a secure, climate-controlled archive and special collections on the Library’s 4th floor. In addition, KL 232 will be renovated to serve as an instruction space that can accommodate research with archival materials and as a programming venue for library events including those showcasing special collections and the region’s history.

Construction is made possible with a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) award of $750,000, matching funds provided by Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz from philanthropic gifts, as well as Library funds.

This project will expand the UC Merced Library’s capacity to collect and preserve primary sources that reflect the cultural, social, and environmental heritage of the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley.

Thank you to the support of so many colleagues and community members who have been instrumental in bringing us to this construction phase.

News

For additional background on the NEH grant, visit the following news items.

• NEH Grant Reinstated (28 July 2025)
• NEH Grant Awarded to UC Merced for Sierra Nevada-Central Valley Archive in Library (3 May 2022)

The UC Merced Library and UCM Reads (@ucmreads) invite you to a silent reading night on October 23 from 5:30-7 in KL 397! Join us for books and refreshments! 

Stop by at any time during the event or stay the whole time. You can bring a book or peruse one from our collection. 

When: October 23, 5:30pm-7pm 

Where: KL 397 

Author and journalist Mark Arax is Writer-in-Residence at UC Merced for the academic year (25-26), providing opportunities for students and the larger community to gain insights into the craft of writing and topics relevant to the state of California and this region.

The year's programming launched with a lecture, Q&A, and opening reception with Arax on September 9, 2025. Read UC Merced's Newsroom account, "Writer-in-Residence Mark Arax Chronicles California's Lifeblood: Water".

The fall semester offers three workshops with Arax. Arax has identified pieces of writing to share at each of these events. Visit events details to locate these readings. 

All three workshops will take place in COB2-170 from 3:30 to 5:30pm.

• Stories About Place, Tuesday, September 23
• Creative Non-Fiction - How Does It Work?, Tuesday, October 14
• Investigative Journalism - Our Last Best Hope When Democracy Corrodes, Tuesday, November 4