Futuristic library transformation, blending traditional and modern learning environments.

Reimagining Library Spaces: How UCSF Transformed Its Library for the 21st Century

Jordan Keane in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the innovative strategies the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) used to revitalize its library, adapting to the changing needs of students and faculty in the digital age."

Libraries are no longer just repositories of books; they're evolving into dynamic centers for learning and collaboration. Reports and surveys consistently show that students and faculty need library spaces that cater to modern academic needs. This transformation ensures libraries remain relevant and valuable within academic environments.

At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a visionary project transformed the library into a Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This initiative not only redesigned space for existing library functions but also fostered stronger alliances with various campus programs. The TLC emerged from years of careful planning and collaboration, addressing the critical need for expanded education programs and telemedicine training.

The result is a multipurpose facility that integrates clinical skills, simulation, and technology-enhanced education facilities on the second floor of the Parnassus campus library. This redesign optimizes the space, creating a state-of-the-art education and teaching environment.

The Challenge: Limited Space, Evolving Needs

Futuristic library transformation, blending traditional and modern learning environments.

UCSF, an academic health sciences campus, faces the challenge of limited space in an urban setting. The library building, comprising 90,000 square feet, represents a significant real estate asset. Recognizing the need for modern teaching spaces, an initial plan proposed allocating 10,000 square feet of the library for this purpose. This proposal sparked a collaborative, campus-wide planning process to address space limitations and evolving educational demands.

The Parnassus campus, one of UCSF's primary locations, houses clinical facilities and research labs and hosts the majority of classroom teaching. However, teaching space on this campus is inadequate for current needs. Changing curricula require more small-group sessions and spaces for practicing individual and team skills with simulated patients and equipment.

Classroom Shortage: Demand for small-group session space.
Curriculum Changes: Moving away from traditional lectures.
Simulation Needs: Requirements for clinical skills practice.

To address these challenges, UCSF embarked on a strategic project to rethink and redesign its library space. This involved a comprehensive assessment of current space utilization, comparisons with peer institutions, and surveys of students and faculty to understand their needs and preferences. The goal was to create a versatile and innovative learning environment that supports the university's mission.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Library Design

The UCSF TLC project highlights the importance of adaptability and strategic planning in library design. By embracing change and prioritizing collaboration, libraries can transform themselves into vibrant hubs that meet the evolving needs of their communities. As technology continues to advance and learning methodologies shift, libraries must remain proactive in reimagining their spaces to foster education, innovation, and connection. The project demonstrates how libraries can lead in creating inspiring environments that reflect a community’s vision and reinforce its connections.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3163/1536-5050.98.1.015, Alternate LINK

Title: Reinvisioning And Redesigning “A Library For The Fifteenth Through Twenty-First Centuries”: A Case Study On Loss Of Space From The Library And Center For Knowledge Management, University Of California, San Francisco

Subject: Library and Information Sciences

Journal: Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA

Publisher: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh

Authors: Gail L. Persily, Karen A. Butter

Published: 2010-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did UCSF transform its library space, and what key elements were included in the redesign?

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Library was transformed into a Teaching and Learning Center (TLC). This redesign optimized the library space to integrate clinical skills, simulation, and technology-enhanced education facilities. This was done to address the evolving needs of students and faculty in the digital age and to foster stronger alliances with campus programs. However, the article does not explicitly detail the new layout and organization of the space. The TLC emerged from years of careful planning and collaboration, addressing the critical need for expanded education programs and telemedicine training.

Given the limited space at UCSF, how did they address the challenge of creating modern teaching spaces within the library?

UCSF addressed the challenge of limited space by undertaking a strategic project to rethink and redesign its library space. This involved a comprehensive assessment of current space utilization, comparisons with peer institutions, and surveys of students and faculty to understand their needs and preferences. By allocating 10,000 square feet of the library for modern teaching spaces, UCSF optimized its real estate asset, which comprises 90,000 square feet. However, the specific methods used to increase capacity within existing facilities, like compact shelving or modular furniture, are not specified.

What factors prompted the redesign of the UCSF library into the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)?

The UCSF library redesign was driven by several factors, including a classroom shortage, curriculum changes moving away from traditional lectures, and the increasing need for simulation facilities to practice clinical skills. Surveys of students and faculty also played a role in informing the redesign. The library needed to evolve from a repository of books into a dynamic center for learning and collaboration. However, the specifics of how student and faculty input directly shaped the design choices are not detailed.

What broader implications does the UCSF TLC project have for the future of library design in academic settings?

The UCSF TLC project highlights the importance of adaptability and strategic planning in library design to meet the evolving needs of the community. It demonstrates how libraries can transform into vibrant hubs that foster education, innovation, and connection. Libraries must remain proactive in reimagining their spaces to reflect a community’s vision and reinforce its connections as technology continues to advance and learning methodologies shift. However, the specific future technologies or learning methodologies are not explicitly defined.

In what specific ways does the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) enhance the educational experience for UCSF students?

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) integrates clinical skills, simulation, and technology-enhanced education facilities. The inclusion of simulation facilities is particularly important as it allows students to practice individual and team skills with simulated patients and equipment. The new curriculum requires more small-group sessions which the TLC now supports. However, the specific technologies utilized within the simulation facilities, such as virtual reality or augmented reality tools, are not elaborated upon.