Gerald R. Lowell, Berkeley's new university librarian, came to campus last December from UC San Diego, where he served as university librarian and associate vice chancellor for academic information technology.

"I am intrigued with the soul-searching that has gone on at Berkeley regarding the future of the library and am delighted that the chancellor has placed a high, high priority on the library," said Lowell.

Chancellor Berdahl has announced $5.5 million in new library funding, and the campus is building a larger library endowment with a goal of raising $25 million for library collections.

Lowell oversees eight and one-half million volumes, three million pictorial images and 50 million manuscripts. And the library's research collections -- among the most heavily used in the West -- reflect a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, with special strengths in East Asian studies, California history and music.