ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

UCI Libraries Celebrate UCI

— Ellen Broidy, University of California, Irvine, e-mail: ejbroidy@uci.edu

With a bright new banner to attract attention to their exhibit, library staff are ready to greet the next visitor.

Each April, the University of California, frvine (UCI), throws a huge open house— Celebrate UCI—for students, faculty, staff, prospective students and their parents, and the community.

The UCI Libraries have been an integral part of this event for almost 20 years.

Through tours of the libraries, demonstrations of computerized library systems, a book sale, and an information booth prominently situated amongst those representing a diverse cross section of student groups and university services, the UCI Libraries reaches out to the community on campus and beyond.

In fact, a simple low-tech solution, a new bright blue and gold banner (UCI’s colors) enhanced our visibility and drew visitors to our booth. This year, in addition to highlighting library publications and information about collections, services, and exhibits, library staff created a scavenger hunt designed to direct visitors to the Main and Science Libraries where they could then take a tour of the facilities. Library staff from every division and from across all job classifications devoted part of their weekend to ensure that the library was well represented at tills important community-building event.

As both the campus and the libraries dedicate increased resources to outreach efforts in local schools, participation in Celebrate UCI, always an enjoyable activity, has taken on added significance.

We are also thrilled to report that, contrary to Southern California’s reputation for having gray spring days (especially if there’s an outdoor event planned), the shine shone brightly most of the day.