The UC Berkeley Library today announces the temporary closure of its Physics-Astronomy Library. The change in service will begin Monday, March 21, and is expected to continue through the summer semester.
“We continue to grapple with an unprecedented decline in our staffing levels,” said Jeff MacKie-Mason, university librarian. “With budget reductions over the last two decades, and recent unexpected staff resignations, we have to continue to make difficult decisions about which of our services to scale back.”
The Physics-Astronomy Library is one of five libraries in the Engineering & Physical Sciences Division. The division has one-third fewer employees than in previous years and the libraries face additional budget reductions this year, which will compound the staffing challenges.
Library users will still be able to request items from the Physics-Astronomy Library collections through UC Library Search, for pickup at another campus library. Similarly, materials can be returned to any other campus library. Nearby libraries include: Doe Library, the Mathematics Statistics Library, and the Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Library. The librarian serving the Physics and Astronomy departments will continue to provide support for students and faculty, including via research appointments in person and online, from the Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Library.
All other functions of the Physics-Astronomy Library related to user access, collection management, and facilities management will be paused until adequate staffing is available.