The UC Irvine Libraries have received a $3 million gift to establish an endowment that will support the highest priorities of the university librarian. The gift, which will remain anonymous at the request of the donors, will help the Libraries meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and other library users in the digital age. 

In recognition of this generous gift, the university librarian’s position will be known as the "Endowed University Librarian." The anonymous donors expressed the importance of supporting the Libraries’ mission and goals: “The UCI Libraries offer a wealth of knowledge. We are enthusiastic about supporting the university librarian as a leader to innovate in thought and community interaction to foster this treasure.”

The university librarian is a dean-level position charged with leading and providing strategic direction for UCI Libraries. Lorelei Tanji, who has held the position since 2012, will be UCI’s inaugural endowed university librarian. Among her responsibilities, Tanji also represents the UCI Libraries at the campus, system-wide, and national levels. She is currently the chair of the UC Libraries’ Council of University Librarians (CoUL) and is close to completing her three-year term on the Board of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), a member-driven organization of the top research libraries in Canada and the United States. 

UCI Libraries form the largest research library system in Orange County and are considered the intellectual heart of the UCI campus. More than 1.1 million building visitors take advantage of the research resources and study spaces across four library locations and the Libraries’ webpage hosts over 2.4 million visits each year. With nearly 5 million electronic and print volumes, journals, and multimedia materials, the Libraries also offer 24/7 reference services, fueling teaching and research across campus. 

“UCI Libraries serve as a bridge between the campus and community, where its public programs connect and bring people together in a shared experience of interaction and learning,” said Tanji. “I am honored to be the inaugural endowed university librarian. It is a vote of confidence in the work that we are doing and the excellence of the library team. This remarkable and generous gift will serve as an ongoing catalyst to spark creativity and cutting-edge advancements throughout the Libraries.”

The donors’ enduring gift will elevate the Libraries’ critical role in supporting UCI’s mission of research, instruction, and patient care. Providing discretionary rather than operational support, the new endowment will enable the Libraries to continue to evolve and innovate in order to best serve the needs of 21st-century scholars.

“In our fast-changing world, it’s essential we ensure our collections and resources, both physical and digital, remain responsive to student and researcher needs,” said Tanji. “With this gift, we are well-positioned to do so, whatever the future holds.”