UC Berkeley Anthropology Library Occupation 2012

Occupy Cal writing their resolution to send to the administration to reinstate anthropology library hours and services.

On January 17, 2012, a proposal was brought to the Occupy Cal General Assembly to occupy UC Berkeley's George and Mary Foster Anthropology Library^[1] due to a recent decision by administration to reduce the library's hours and services.^[2] Part of the overall trend of privatization and divestment in public resources,^[3] the university has reduced spending on its libraries by 12 percent since 2012.^[4][5] With mass approval by the General Assembly, members of Occupy Cal decided to lead a study-in of the anthropology library on January 19 to demand the reinstatement of the library's hours and resources.^[6]

Occupy Cal occupied UC Berkeley's anthropology library for 3 days following cuts to library hours and resources.

On January 19, 2012, following a noon-time rally by the larger Occupy Cal community, a group of roughly 100 students, faculty, and staff occupied the anthropology library and sent their demands^[7] to the administration.^[8] The non-violent study-in lasted 3 days and 2 nights, and involved several email exchanges between administration, and students and faculty.^[9]

On January 21, 2012, the occupiers were notified by the administration that their demands would be met: library hours would be reinstated, and a replacement job would be created to achieve regular access to the library.^[10] While many non-tangible successes were achieved by Occupy Cal, the reinstatement of the anthropology library's hours represents a concrete, observable step to protect the accessibility and quality of education at the University of California, Berkeley.^[11]

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