With a history spanning more than 150 years, the UC Berkeley Library is swirling with memories of seasons past — enough to line every shelf in Main Stacks.
The Library has come a long way since its earliest days. What started as a single room housing a 1,036-volume collection has grown into one of the largest libraries in the nation. Today, UC Berkeley has a dynamic system of 20-plus libraries, collectively holding nearly 14 million volumes and providing a sweeping range of services, including research help (both in person and virtual), free digital versions of textbooks, and online access to one-of-a-kind treasures.
Watch our video for a trip back in time — a glimpse at the past and present of a library that’s always looking to the future.
Music: Debussy’s Arabesque No. 1
Performed by Jeffrey MacKie-Mason
University Librarian