SUBJECT:

Library Closures & Consolidations

Earlier this year, we communicated to the campus community that significant and continuing budget cuts could lead to the closure of four of the Libraries' facilities: CLICS (Center for Library & Instructional Computing Services), International Relations & Pacific Studies (IR/PS), Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Science & Engineering libraries. Previous budget cuts led to the closure of the Medical Center Library on April 1, 2011. While we have not yet received our final budget allocation, we have been informed that the Libraries will need to absorb at least a $3 million cut for 2011/2012, which leaves us no choice but to move forward with these closures and consolidations.

The CLICS facility will close on June 10 of this year, followed by the closure of the IR/PS Library on July 1, 2011. Budget cuts will also force us to close the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Library later in the 2011/12 academic year. Over the next year, we will be working to consolidate the IR/PS collections into the Social Sciences & Humanities Library in the Geisel Library building. In addition, we will be consolidating the majority of our science collections (including those of the Science & Engineering and Scripps libraries) into our remaining library facilities.

Unfortunately, these closures and consolidations will impact our ability to provide UCSD faculty and students with the quick access to resources and services they have come to expect from the Libraries. In addition, the closures will lead to a significant reduction in study space for students, with a loss of approximately 800 study seats.

Over the next several months, as we adapt to this reduced footprint and work to consolidate the collections, our greatest attention will remain focused on trying to ensure the continued availability of those information resources and services that are essential to meeting the needs of the campus community and to advancing the university's research, teaching, and public service missions. Input from library users will be critical in this process. We at the Libraries appreciate your understanding, feedback, and support, and regret the inconvenience these actions cause. Please send us your feedback at:
http://libraries.ucsd.edu/suggestions.html

Additional information about library closures, consolidation efforts, and the impact on services and resources can be found at:
http://libraries.ucsd.edu/budgetcutsFAQ/intro.html

Brian E. C. Schottlaender The Audrey Geisel University Librarian