UC Santa Barbara Library is planning a new Arts Library by bringing together the Music and Art & Architecture Collections into a modernized space in the main Library building. As part of the project, the Music Library collection, services and staff will be moved from the Music Building to the main Library. The open stacks collection will be incorporated into the space on the 1st floor Mountain Side where the Art & Architecture Collection is currently housed. To accommodate the Music Library collections and enable the future growth of print collections, high-density compact shelving will replace the current fixed shelving.

The space will be modified and updated to create an increased number of user spaces, including fixed and flexible study tables, three listening rooms and a media studio with state-of-the-art technology, a group study room, and a seminar room with a piano. The Arts Library will also contain exhibition space and lockers.

The new Arts Library will allow users of the Music Collection to benefit from the interdisciplinary possibilities that come with easier access to other Library collections and services. It will also allow the Library to take advantage of operational efficiencies that come with the consolidation of all collections and services under one roof. 

News and Updates

August 21, 2023: Upcoming Art & Architecture collection relocations

Art & Architecture General Collection print materials with call numbers N-NC will be relocated from the Art & Architecture space on the 1st floor to a temporary location on the 2nd floor Mountain Side from September 18 to October 3, 2023. During the move, some items may be temporarily unavailable while in transit.  

Art & Architecture General Collection print materials with call numbers TR will be gradually moved in fall quarter 2023 from the Art & Architecture space on the 1st floor to the Sciences & Engineering Collection space on the 2nd floor Mountain Side

If you have difficulties locating an item with these call numbers, please visit the Services Desk on the 1st floor or chat with a librarian online.

April 26, 2023: UCSB Library announces Arts Library Project

Read the news release

More Information

For more information, contact Alan Grosenheider, Deputy University Librarian.