About Sally T. WongAvery Library

WongAvery Library is one of two libraries on the UC San Diego campus that support the university’s teaching, research and public service mission. Serving nearly 355,000 visitors annually, the WongAvery Library is part of the essential backbone of the Library’s support for research and scholarship.

Building Details

Situated near the corner of Gilman Drive and Osler Lane in the School of Medicine complex, the two-story building is home to multiple library collaborations, including the temporary Triton Transfer Hub, dedicated meeting spaces for student programs, and a 24-hour study facility for graduate and professional students.

WongAvery Library has close to 1,000 study seats and 23 reservable study rooms. Students value the space as a location that fosters concentration and deep learning.

Formerly known as the Biomedical Library Building, the original 27,764 square foot structure was built in 1969 as part of the Basic Science Building project—the first project in the School of Medicine complex and the largest building on campus at the time. In 2004, an expansion project commenced and the building nearly doubled in size by the time renovations finished in 2006.

The library was renamed WongAvery Library in 2022 in recognition of the significant philanthropic support provided by UC San Diego Foundation trustee and alumna Sally T. WongAvery '75.

About Sally T. WongAvery '75

In 2020, WongAvery established the Sally T. WongAvery Collection of Chinese Materials with the donation of a complete collection of Chinese News. She went on to establish the Sally T. WongAvery Fund for East Asian Collections and the Natasha Wong Endowment for East Asian Collections in 2022 in support of UC San Diego Library’s East Asian collections, research and scholarly activities.

Today, WongAvery leads the Chinese Bilingual Preschool, which she founded in 2009, and serves as principal at the Chinese School of San Diego. She is chair and CEO of the Avery-Tsui Foundation and joined the UC San Diego Foundation Board of Trustees in 2020. WongAvery received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy from UC San Diego and her juris doctorate from the California Western School of Law.