After more than a year and a half of renovations, Moffitt Library will finally reopen its doors to UC Berkeley students Monday at 1 p.m. The Moffitt redux will create about 500 new seats for students and nearly double the amount of student-centered space in the library.
The reopening will feature a new staircase connecting floors one and two, as well as a 100-seat computer-based testing facility, an enhanced Maker Studio and a number of other new facilities for students.
Library patrons will be able to enjoy snacks and drinks at the expanded Free Speech Movement Cafe, set to open Aug. 31. Additionally, a new snack room on floor three houses microwaves and serves as a convenient place for students to heat their food up to eat during study sessions.
Monday marks the completion of a more than decade-long transformation of the library. The renovation of both floors four and five was completed in 2016.
While plans to finish the rest of the building were pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UC Berkeley Library will unveil the completed Carol T. Christ Center for Connected Learning, a $58 million renovation of the lower three floors to provide a new home for undergraduate study and collaboration.
For students, Moffitt’s reopening marks the return of UC Berkeley’s iconic 24-hour library, favored for allowing food throughout.
Students, however, will have to wait for 24-hour service, as the library will only be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 13.
The Daily Californian toured a near-complete Moffitt last Friday, as construction crews put the finishing touches on the library.
“I remember freshman year when I used to come here, a lot of people would sit on the floor to get a chance to study,” said ASUC President Margaret Solomon, who was also on the tour. “But now it feels bright, it feels like a good study space for people.”
A primary goal of the Carol T. Christ Center for Connected Learning is to provide more student-centered space. The second floor of the library, which previously only housed staff offices, is now an adjustable study area.
Each floor of the library features a different theme inspired by California’s natural landscape, focusing on aquatic environments on floor one, flowers on floor three and birds on floor four. This element was drawn from conversations with students, according to Tiffany Grandstaff, executive director of communications for UC Berkeley Library.
“It was clear from the start that students were seeking connections with nature in both the structure and aesthetic of the building,” Grandstaff said in an email. “Design themes that reflect California’s landscape help bring nature into the space.”
The floors are also based on the many aspects and experiences of undergraduate life and library-going on campus. Floors one and five, which feature a reflection room and wellness room, respectively, are quiet floors, while floors two and four are for collaboration and floor three is for connection.
Each floor has a wide range of seating options, from long couches and padded benches to rolling swivel chairs and study booths. The library makes use of modular furniture, designed so students can customize their space and make it more adaptable for studying.
On the tour, Grandstaff said library staff will no longer reset the furniture after it’s moved, instead making adjustments after learning the patterns of how students study.
“Rather than putting it where we think it should be, we’re going to let students basically make the space what they want it to be,” Grandstaff said.
The Moffitt redux will also see many new and updated student accommodations throughout the building.
The Berkeley Discovery initiative will host a Discovery Hub on floor two, which connects students with learning opportunities and internships. Floor two will also house an enhanced Maker Studio.
“I expected it to be way different from the old vibe of Moffitt,” Solomon said. “I could still spend hours here, you could do it and probably find a seat easier, too.”
At Moffitt’s reopening, students can celebrate with light snacks, refreshments and giveaways.