In these disruptive days of mass closures and sheltering in place, it might be a while until you can explore UC Berkeley’s libraries. (At least IRL. We see you, Minecraft builders re-creating campus one block at a time.)
The coronavirus crisis has upended plans across the world, from South by Southwest to the Tokyo Olympics. It’s no surprise that it has also affected plans for Cal Day, Berkeley’s annual open house extravaganza that features pop-up events, activities, and talks from Berkeley luminaries.
For the first time since it started in 1968, Cal Day is going fully digital. Reimagined as Cal Week, and taking place April 18-24, the melange of virtual activities will serve as an introduction to all things UC Berkeley for newly admitted students and their families.
And just for the occasion, the Library has its own offerings up its sleeve. So in the spirit of social distancing, here are six ways to explore the Library — its treasures, its spaces, and the multitude of ways it can enrich your experience at Berkeley — from anywhere.
1. Take a crash course on the Library.
At the Library, books are just the beginning. (Though there are a lot of those — more than 13 million volumes’ worth.) With a fleet of expert librarians, dynamic spaces, and countless digital resources, the Library fuels collaboration and discovery across campus. Not sure where to start? Check out this video and FAQ for a taste of all the Library has to offer. Learn about everything from getting help with research to finding your new favorite study spot — for snacking, napping, or attacking those endless course readings.
2. Have some fun!
So you’ve solved your 14th jigsaw puzzle and exhausted your bread-baking abilities (sourdough, anyone?). Get your mind off the news by immersing yourself in one of our shelter-in-place-friendly activities. The coloring book, which features gems from our collections, will coax you into a calming state of nostalgia, and the word search will acquaint you with the UC Berkeley Library and some of its programs, collections, activities, and spaces.
3. Explore the Library’s most prized treasures, picked by people who know them the most.
The Library is home to a dizzying array of treasures, from rare historical maps to the private writings of Mark Twain. To highlight just a few of our gems, we asked the people who know the Library’s materials best to pick their favorites from the collections — and to describe why they’re so special. Answers ranged from an ancient bone thought to carry messages from gods to a musical masterpiece scribbled in Ludwig van Beethoven’s own hand. Explore their favorites.
4. Come get your swag.
What would Cal Week be without some swag? Print these bookmarks, perfect for keeping your place in all the books you’re reading at home, and a postcard, for keeping in touch with loved ones while deep in the throes of self-isolation. The bookmarks feature illustrations from vintage Blue and Gold yearbooks, and the postcard showcases a historical photograph of Doe Library’s famed reading room.
5. Read your heart out.
What better way to connect with the university — and the Library — than to read a book (or five) recommended by Berkeley’s very own faculty, staff, and students? Starting in 1985, Berkeley has curated the UC Berkeley Summer Reading List for New Students. This year’s theme? Connection(s), particularly apt considering the sense of togetherness and community we’re clinging to in these times of uncertainty. The selections include works old and new, fiction and nonfiction — from an eye-opening book illuminating the issue of political division to a novel of lives intertwined during wartime. And many of the selections are available through the Library. Explore the list.
6. Take a (virtual) tour of our exhibits.
With so many precious materials, many libraries double as mini-museums. Drawing on documents, photos, maps, and more, Library staff curate exhibits to tell stories important to the Bay Area and beyond — from the history of the LGBTQ movement to the science behind climate change. Take a virtual tour of past and current exhibits in the Library, and explore the various galleries and display cases around campus on our new exhibits site.
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