Physics-Astronomy Library

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.

UC Berkeley Library released its long-term plan Thursday, moving toward a “layered” system that allocates library services on three different levels as well as merges the collections and staffs of select libraries. The plan will be implemented in spring 2023 and is expected to be completed by fall 2025. 

Campus recently announced a plan that could close multiple libraries — namely the Anthropology, Mathematics Statistics and Physics-Astronomy libraries. 

UC Berkeley community members have criticized proposed changes to the campus library system announced Oct. 3, which would limit services and close the Anthropology, Mathematics Statistics and Physics-Astronomy libraries.

The UC Berkeley Library has announced plans for the long-term reduction of library services due to a reduced budget and smaller workforce, according to a proposal released Monday. 

The Physics-Astronomy Library will be closed starting March 21 due to ongoing staffing shortages. The library will likely remain closed through the summer semester.