Start at West Paseo Entrance
Entry points for the UCSB Library
The UCSB Library has four entry points, the Mountain Side (to the North), the East & West Paseo, and the Ocean Entrance (to the South). Our tour starts you at the West Paseo entrance, which is considered the main entrance of the library.
West Paseo Entrance (Main Entrance)
The West Paseo Entrance is the main entrance to the UCSB Library. You can access the library from the other library entrances, but for the purposes of the tour, start here.
Paseo West Entrance
The main entrance to the library is through the Paseo West Entrance. It is opposite the Arbor and Girvetz Hall. This is the only entrance open after midnight for Late Night Study (for UCSB students, faculty, and staff only).
The Paseo West Entrance turns into the Late Night Study entrance once the Library closes to the general public. Late Night Study is available on the first two floors of the library for students, faculty and staff with valid UCSB IDs. Check the current hours at the Library website
Services Desk
The Services Desk is to the right as you enter the Library. The Services Desk is a central hub for many of the UCSB Library services including Course Reserves, Circulation, and Interlibrary Loan!
- Course Reserves - many of your instructors will place copies of class materials and textbooks on reserve with a limited checkout period (e.g., 2 hours). You can check out a textbook on course reserve by providing the call number for the book and presenting your UCSB ID.
- Circulation/Borrowing - you can also check out other library materials using your UCSB ID. Undergraduates can check out up to 50 books at a time for 4 weeks!
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) - Did you know that you can borrow books or articles from any UC Library or anywhere in the world for free? UCSB Library is big, but we don't have everything. If the item requested is available at another UC campus, it often arrives in 3 - 5 working days and can be picked up at the Services Desk once it has arrived. NOTE: Textbooks are not available through ILL.
- Lost & Found - If you've lost one of your personal belongings in the library, the Services Desk is the place to go! After one week we send any lingering lost items to campus Lost & Found in North Hall, room 1131.
Collaborate Helpdesk
Just next to the Services Desk, you will find trained student assistants ready to help you with your technology questions. Stop by whenever you need help with downloading campus applications or software, troubleshooting login issues, printing on campus through GauchoPrint, setting up your NetID, and much more! NOTE: The Collaborate Helpdesk has different hours from the Services Desk. Refer to their website to see when help is available.
You can check out technology like laptops, TI-84 Plus calculators, and phone chargers. If you don't have them, or you just didn't feel like carrying them around, check one out at the Services Desk with your UCSB ID! We also check out board games, bike locks, and umbrellas. Refer to our Technology and More page for a full list of items available for check out to UCSB students, faculty, and staff.
Reference & Research Help
Remote Reference & Research Services are available to you. You can ask research questions using the Ask a Librarian chat service. Chat live with a librarian 24/7, even at 2 in the morning! If the online librarian can't assist you, they will send a UCSB Librarian the chat transcript for follow up the next business day.
The Reference Services workers answer hundreds of questions a quarter. Our friendly student assistants, library staff, and librarians are able to help you:
- Find books (for class or for fun) using UC Library Search;
- Find articles in the library databases;
- Format citations for different sources;
- and more!
Need a little more help with your research? We have many UCSB Librarians who specialize in different subject areas! You can make an appointment with any of these librarians by scheduling a Research Consultation Request.
Paseo Learning Commons
Seating Options
The Paseo Study Commons is equipped with a variety of seating options where you can enjoy natural light, and conversational noise level and still be near the library entrance if you're waiting for friends or study partners.
Seating Options
The Paseo Study Commons is equipped with a variety of seating options where you can enjoy natural light, and conversational noise level and still be near the library entrance if you're waiting for friends or study partners.
Browsing Collection
Enjoy a book from our Browsing Collection. This collection contains our Well-being Resources and some other books that are great for grabbing for a quick read while you enjoy the Paseo Study Commons.
KIC Scanner
The library has several KIC scanners available for students to use. Don't want to check out an entire book when you just need a few pages? Use the KIC scanners to scan the pages you need. Directions are next to each machine. KIC scanners are located:
- 1st floor Mountain Side: 2 KIC Click scanners across from the Services Desk
- 1st floor Mountain Side: 1 KIC Click scanner in Art & Architecture collection area
- 1st floor Mountain Side: 1 KIC Click scanner in Learning Commons
Digital Signage
Do you want to stay up to date with all the goings-on in and around the UCSB Library? Look for our digital signage screens located throughout the library.
Paseo East Entrance
The Paseo East Entrance allows you to pass from one end of the UCSB Campus to the other. The Geological Sciences building will be behind you when you enter.
Computers & Printers
We have over 175 public computers throughout the library! Some computers available for student use are on the right. Log on with your UCSB username and password (the same way you log into GauchoSpace).
GauchoPrint
You can print in the library using GauchoPrint, a printing system that allows students to use their 200 pages of print credit per quarter. The first time you use the system you'll need to register your account. After, you can print from any library computer or your personal device. For additional information see the posters above the library printers.
NOTE: The Library does not have color printing at this time. If you would like to print in color, please go to the SB Printer Shop in the UCen near Corwin Pavilion.
Laptop Docking Stations
Laptop Docking StationsConnect your laptop or other electronic device using an HDMI, Thunderbolt, or USB-C cable. Don't have one of these handy? You can check one out from the Services Desk. Once you've connected your cables, your device's main screen will appear on the monitor in front of you.
Photos for this tour taken from the UCSB Library Flickr Photostream.