McHenry Library

McHenry Library is the main academic library serving the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Named in honor of Dean E. McHenry, the founding chancellor of the campus, the facility opened in 1970 and has since undergone significant expansion and modernization. It functions as a central hub for research, scholarship, and student collaboration, housing extensive collections in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. The library is a defining architectural landmark within the redwood forest setting of the UC Santa Cruz Campus.

History

The library's construction was a cornerstone project in the development of the new University of California, Santa Cruz, which welcomed its first students in 1965. It was named for Dean E. McHenry, a key figure in the establishment of the University of California campus at Santa Cruz, California. The original structure opened in 1970, designed to accommodate the growing student body and faculty. A major expansion and seismic retrofit project, completed in 2008, added the distinctive Mary Porter Sesnon wing and modernized the entire facility. This renovation, led by the architectural firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, preserved the original brutalist aesthetic while introducing sustainable design elements and vastly increasing study space.

Architecture and facilities

The original structure is a notable example of Brutalist architecture, characterized by its massive, textured concrete forms that harmonize with the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains landscape. The 2008 addition, the Mary Porter Sesnon wing, features a soaring, light-filled atrium, extensive use of glass, and exposed wood beams, creating a striking contrast and connection to the forest. Key facilities include the Special Collections & Archives department, which houses rare materials related to the University of California and regional history, and the Digital Scholarship Commons. The building also contains numerous group study rooms, quiet reading areas, a café, and the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery.

Collections and resources

Its collections exceed 1.5 million volumes, with particular strengths in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and California history. It serves as the primary repository for the University of California, Santa Cruz's scholarly output and archives. The library provides access to a vast array of digital resources, including academic journals, electronic books, and specialized databases. The Special Collections & Archives holds significant materials such as the Grateful Dead Archive, the Page & Plant collections, and papers of notable figures like Robert Heinlein and George Hitchcock.

Services and operations

It offers comprehensive research support through subject-specialist librarians who assist with disciplines ranging from Literature to Environmental Studies. Services include interlibrary loan access through the University of California system, course reserves, and data management consultation. The Digital Scholarship Commons provides support for digital humanities projects, GIS mapping, and media creation. Library operations are integrated with the broader UC Santa Cruz Campus IT infrastructure, supporting both undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges, including Cowell College and Stevenson College.

In popular culture

The distinctive architecture has made it a visually recognizable location, occasionally featured in campus promotional materials and student films. Its Special Collections & Archives, particularly the Grateful Dead Archive, have attracted media attention from outlets like Rolling Stone and the BBC, linking the library to broader cultural history. The serene, forested setting and unique design elements have also made it a subject of interest in architectural publications and photography focused on Brutalist architecture in academic settings.

Category:University of California, Santa Cruz Category:Libraries in Santa Cruz County, California Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1970