IRVINE : Science Library’s Dedication Is Today

Dedication ceremonies for the largest science library in California will take place today at UC Irvine at the six-story, $33.5-million building, completed during a time when most colleges have been struggling with cuts in funding.

The 131,000-square-foot library was funded by general obligation bonds, approved by voters before California slipped into recession. Planning for the library began in 1987.

“The funding for this library was in the pipeline before the budget crunch really hit. The timing was in our favor,” said Johanna Christensen, development officer for the UCI Science Library. “If we were asking voters for it today, we know we’d be looking at a different situation.”

Dedication ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. with music and refreshments, followed by a formal celebration at noon in the library courtyard.

The library can hold about 500,000 books and combines science, medicine and technology reference materials previously stored in four separate buildings on campus. The building has some high-tech features, including light sensors that automatically lower blinds on floor-to-ceiling windows when light levels could be harmful to books.

The library also has touch-screen computers that display maps of the campus. And more than 450 computer connection outlets will allow library patrons to use their own laptop computers to tap into library databases.