Social Research Library

The Social Research Library serves the research needs of the School of Social Welfare, and supports its broader mission to “change the systems that perpetuate poverty and social disadvantage.” The library provides a base for the four research units affiliated with the school, researchers from related disciplines, as well as local social workers, alumni, and the general public.

This library is wheelchair accessible.

Hours

Nov 10 - Nov 16
Location Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Social Research Library monthly calendar Closed Closed
Academic Holiday
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed
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View monthly calendar

Services

  • Use online tools or connect with a librarian to achieve your research goals. 

  • The UC Berkeley Library provides special assistance to Library users with disabilities as they engage with the Library and its resources.

  • Make use of the printing and scanning options available at most library locations.

  • Learn how to access or place textbooks and other materials on digital course reserves.

  • Circulation desk
    510-642-4432
    socwcirc-library@berkeley.edu

    Check out and return books, pick up paged materials, or get help searching for an item. 

  • 510-642-9255 (642-WALK)

    Arrange free night-safety services, including a walking escort to get you home safely. 

Contact

Location

Exterior of Social Research Library
Social Research Library
227 Haviland Hall
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
510-642-4432

This library is wheelchair accessible.

Explore the Social Research Library

Visit

Physical access to this library is open to all researchers and visitors without requirement of any identification, registration, pass, or prior arrangements. Certain services, collections, equipment, or rooms within this library may be available only to certain groups of UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff.

Please inquire at the circulation desk for further details.

Borrow

The UC Berkeley Library’s collections are rich and bountiful — and they’re waiting to be explored by members of the UC Berkeley community and knowledge-seekers everywhere. Use UC Library Search, the University of California’s all-in-one-platform for discovery, to find books, journals, articles, and more, and check them out at libraries across the Berkeley campus and at other UC schools. Learn more about borrowing Library materials.

About

The Social Research Library serves the research needs of the School of Social Welfare, and supports its broader mission to "change the systems that perpetuate poverty and social disadvantage." The library provides a research base for the four research units affiliated with the school, researchers from related disciplines, as well as local social workers, alumni, and the general public.

The Social Research Library is one of the many subject-speciality libraries in the UC Berkeley Library system. It was founded in 1957 as a collection within the Social Sciences Library to support the developing social work program at Berkeley. It moved to Haviland Hall in 1963 and took up its present quarters in the renovated reading room in 1986.

From its origins as a reserve reading collection, the library has grown into a research collection that today provides vital support for the School of Social Work faculty and the school's related research centers. It also provides a foundation for the school's thriving doctoral program, and it serves as an academic home base for the students in the master's programs.

In addition to the academic population, we also serve social workers, human service professionals, and the general public throughout the Bay Area.

In 2008, the Social Welfare Library was partnered with the Education-Psychology Library, and shares staff and administration.

We are an open stack collection and all are welcome to browse, use the computer resources, seek assistance, or simply sit and enjoy the peace and sunlight in our beautiful reading room.