UCSB Library History posterThe Library was the first building designed and completed for the University of California on this site (a former WWII Marine air base). In 1954, the Santa Barbara College of the University of California officially moved from its Mesa and Riviera campuses to the new location.
When the Library was completed, total enrollment was roughly 2,250 students. In 1959, the college was designated as a “general campus” by the UC Regents and renamed University of California, Santa Barbara.
The Library’s Department of Special Collections, located on the third floor, has more UCSB photos and artifacts in its archives.
UC Santa Barbara Library Past Display Case

Architect's rendering, circa 1954
Architect's renderingcirca 1954

Photograph of construction of first library building, circa 1954
Constructioncirca 1954

Postcard of first library building on Goleta campus, circa 1954
Postcardcirca 1954 First library building on Goleta campus.

Award for distinctive architecture, 1954
Award for distinctive architecture1954

Library checkout cards, 1955-1964
Library checkout cards1955-1964

Your Library informational publication, 1962
Your Library informational publication1962

Photograph of Black Studies Librarian Rubye Ballard at the card catalog, 1971
Black Studies Librarian Rubye Ballard at the card catalog1971

Photograph of 8-story tower, 1971
8-story tower1971

Photograph of The Millionth Volume Celebration display, 1973
The Millionth Volume Celebration display1973

Photograph of Library instruction, 1977
Library instruction1977

Poster for credit-bearing library course, 1979
Poster for credit-bearing library course1979

Photograph of library catalog cards
Library catalog cards

Photograph of Library computer, 1985
Library computer1985

Report of the Task Force on the Closure of the Card Catalog, 1987
Report of the Task Force on the Closure of the Card Catalog1987

Floppy disk, late 1980s
Floppy disklate 1980s

Checkout stamp, 1990s
Checkout stamp1990s

"How Dialing in Replaces More Trips to the Library," Coastlines magazine, 1991
"How Dialing in Replaces More Trips to the Library," Coastlines magazine1991

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