University Library
The UC Santa Cruz University Library supports the research and learning needs of the campus community from two locations: McHenry Library at the center of campus, and the Science and Engineering Library on “Science Hill.” The Library is a second home for many students, providing space for individual quiet study as well as reservable group study spaces. Each library’s Information Commons offers computer workstations, scanners, and printers as well as circulating laptop and Chromebook computers. McHenry Library hosts the Global Village Café, a perfect place to recharge during marathon study sessions.
The University Library provides access to a wide variety of scholarly resources. Access to eBooks, ejournals, and streaming media is available on campus and off, the latter via the campus’s Virtual Private Network. While the majority of the Library's print materials are housed in open stacks and accessible to all faculty, students, and staff, the campus community also has access to millions of other books and journals through shared licensing and the Interlibrary Loan service.
The Reserves service lends copies of assigned class readings and media on a short-term basis so that all students can access the course materials they need to succeed.
Special Collections acquires and manages rare book and primary source collections that are accessible to students, faculty, and the general public. Holdings include a significant book collection including an unusually large number of artists’ books, fine press, and early printing, as well as over 500 archival collections, with particular strengths in 20th century photography, literature, art, music, and astronomy.
The David Kirk Digital Scholarship Commons (DSC) at McHenry Library provides access to new work spaces and high-end computer software. The DSC invites all members of the UCSC community to build digital and web-based projects, collaborate on research, and experiment with innovative tools and methods.
Other important collections and services include:
- The Digital Collections website contains a growing treasury of digitized photographs, maps, artwork, oral history transcripts, and sound recordings, as well as “born digital” materials, focusing on the most rare and unique collections.
- The Video Game Lab at the Science and Engineering Library provides access to more than 2,000 games and 30 gaming consoles as well as books to support game design and studies.
- The Ask-A-Librarian service provides expert in-person and online research assistance.
For more information, see the University Library website.