About the Collections

The collections of the UC San Diego Libraries are the result of more than 45 years of intensive efforts to build one of the outstanding research collections within the University of California System. The success of our collection-building activity is due to the commitment between librarians, faculty, staff, students, Friends of the Libraries, and private donors. With more than three million volumes, the Libraries directly support the research and instructional needs of the University and serve as a portal to culture and discovery.

The librarians who select for the collections are listed in the Subject Specialists and Library Liaisons directory. They select materials to support current and emerging University programs and increasingly interdisciplinary areas of research which will be used by scholars for years to come. We encourage library users to help shape our collections and you may recommend a library purchase for submitting a new request form.

The Libraries at UC San Diego are a collaborative effort, with the goal of furthering student education and forming the cornerstone of the University's research mission. We invite you to visit our library in person and electronically, and encourage you to participate in shaping our future. We hope you find the Libraries collections useful and we look forward to your comments and suggestions.