Campus & community, Campus news

The new Moffitt Library throws open its doors

'We were kind of freaking out when we first came in, because Moffitt is so nice now!” said one student who checked it out

By Public Affairs

students on laptops — As soon as Moffitt's upper floors opened, students were hard at work. (UC Berkeley photo by Britttany Hosea-Small)

November 3, 2016

Views from the renovated Moffitt Library are light-filled and expansive. Here, the view from the fifth floor, looking east across Memorial Glade. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)

Hundreds of UC Berkeley students and staff thronged the fourth and fifth floors of Moffitt Library as they reopened Wednesday after a major renovation.

Equipped with new student-friendly policies, technology services, flexible spaces, a resting room and extra-long open hours, the new spaces are expected to become a top study destination. (Story continues below.)

student in carrel — Jeanette Pastrana, a second year student, studies in one of the new carrels, called Brody chairs. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Junior Younus Al-Bojermi tries out virtual reality technology for the first time. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Library staffer Nancy Tran volunteers at the tech lending station on the fourth floor. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Saamia Haqiq, a UC Berkeley senior majoring in political science, makes use of the writeable glass walls during her study time. “This is definitely my new favorite space,” says Haqiq. (UC Berkekley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Art by local artists, including recent graduates, hangs on the walls. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

One nap pod, along with several lounge chairs, inhabit the wellness room, where students can take a brief respite from their studies. (UC Berkeley photo by Hulda Nelson)

students pilot drone — Matt Wong, a freshman and member of the UAV at UC Berkeley student group, pilots a small drone called “Tiny Bear.” (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

New chairs in bright colors were immediately filled. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Students (from left) Youngwon Choi, Daniel Lim and Erin Choi play with Cal bear pencils at the open house. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

people walking in and out — The fourth-floor entrance was busy Wednesday as students and staff checked out the renovation. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

Before the reopening festivities were done, many students buckled down to their work, trying out the new carrels and group workspace. Among them were four political science majors, who began studying for their midterm together. “We were kind of freaking out when we first came in, because Moffitt is so nice now!” said one.

“We will use Moffitt a lot,” said another. “Most places on campus, you’re kicked out at 2 a.m., which isn’t enough time.”

Another added, “I’m all about the snack-friendly policy. To be able to sustain myself while studying is great. No more sneaking!” They praised the quietness of the study room they had claimed, along with the handy USB ports and walls that could be written on.

On the fifth floor, a dozen or so new Brody chairs — individual all-inclusive work areas — were soon completely occupied. Marycon Jiro, a biology major, noted, “It’s really hard to find one’s own space on campus. A personal space like this, with walls around a comfortable chair, plus my own light and a desk, cuts out visual distraction. It helps me to relax and to concentrate.” Jiro also looks forward to rehearsing presentations in the new Van Houten Presentation Studio.