Morrison Library opened in 1928 as a traditional library reading room providing an ambient atmosphere for students to break away from the rigors of academic life. One of the architectural treasures of the UC Berkeley campus, the Morrison Library offers comfortable seating for leisure reading and maintains a circulating collection of newly published popular fiction and non-fiction. Morrison Library also has a limited collection of circulating audiobooks, travel books and newly published poetry books, as well as subscriptions to a number of popular magazines and a number of daily newspapers.

Events in the Morrison Library include: Lunch Poems-The Noon Poetry Reading Series under the direction of Professor Robert Hass. Story Hour in the Library-Monthly prose reading series hosted by the English faculties Vikram Chandra and Melanie Abrams, and featuring distinguished prose writers from the Bay Area and beyond.

The non-circulating permanent collection of Morrison Library consists primarily of books from Alexander F. Morrison's private library, donated by his wife, Mrs. May Treat Morrison. Other non-circulating collections include works in the Josephine Miles Poetry Alcove, tables highlighting current exhibits in local museums and the idiosyncratic and glorified Bay Area publisher McSweeney's, an eclectic LP collection (phonograph available) and a modest collection of jazz, classical and popular CD music (players / headphones available). In addition to books and music, Morrison Library’s gem is its Graphic Arts Loan Collection, a collection of framed, original lithographs, etchings, and woodblock prints available for loan to Cal students, faculty and staff.

One of the architectural treasures of the UC Berkeley campus, the marble steps of the library are also a popular spot for graduation photos. For a more literary photo, see the statue of Mark Twain reading a copy of his book, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and pose with the author.

In front of the library, enjoy the sunshine of Cal 's Memorial Glade. Plainly, the grassy expanse was referred to as the most popular classroom at the university. Perfect for napkins, picnics, and great people watching — you'll find sunbaths, dogs, musicians, dancers, and all sorts of students on a bright afternoon.

Seek out the Gardner Stacks in the basement of the Doe Library, and move a hefty ton of your wrist. The library is short on space, so every bookshelf slides along a hydraulic track. Study visitors turn the wheels on the shelves to literally uncover buried tomes. Just be sure to check each aisle for your fellow visitors before embarking on your own knowledge excavation.

This hidden gem in Berkeley, California is located near some other must-see places of interest:

• Cafe Ohlone
• Games of Berkeley
• Fairy Post Office
• Founders Rock
• Fish House
• The Vine Street UFO
• East Bay Vivarium
• Indian Rock

All of these wonderful - but not so well known - attractions are located just a short distance from our location at 1261 Locust Street in Walnut Creek, California! Stop by for a visit anytime!