Anthropology Library

Jeff MacKie-Mason, the University Librarian, will retire June 2024 according to a campus press release.

UC Berkeley Social Sciences Dean Raka Ray announced plans Tuesday to turn the George and Mary Foster Anthropology Library into an open space for students, faculty and community members, which will be controlled by the Anthropology Department, UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore said in an email.

Awareness among campus students about the sit-in in the Anthropology Library is growing as the movement gains traction.

UC Berkeley is currently facing a potential $82 million dollar budget deficit. Chancellor Carol Christ updated the community on budget plans during a Campus Conversation on March 27. 

Amyrah Doty, a sophomore double-majoring in English and legal studies, has announced intent to run as a candidate for ASUC Senate.

UC Berkeley announced that the Anthropology Library would be closing along with two others in a campuswide email Feb. 23 due to a lack of funding. The decision was met with student protest immediately after.

The ASUC meeting on Wednesday marked a win for students and community members fighting to preserve the George and Mary Foster Anthropology Library. ASUC Senators moved to co-sponsor Senate Resolution 22/23-038 to indefinitely postpone the impending closure of the library.

ASUC senators introduced three new resolutions for committee vote during the weekly senate meeting Wednesday, including postponement of Anthropology Library closure.

Although campus is actively finding a financial compromise, there is a degree of uncertainty that nevertheless looms for what the future of libraries looks like at UC Berkeley.

In response to the campus closure of the Anthropology Library as part of the Berkeley Library Long Term Space Plan, students and faculty organized a town hall and overnight occupation of the Anthropology Library Wednesday.