As a premier institution of higher education, the University of California's wide spectrum of facilities and programs create a rich environment for learning and discovery. But those places are also great public resources. Open to children and adults around the state, the University is a great place to find a book, look at art, walk in the garden, explore the mysteries of the deep blue sea or gaze at the stars millions of miles away.

Libraries
With collections totaling more than 34 million volumes, the more than 100 libraries throughout UC are surpassed in size on the American continent only by the Library of Congress collection. Also, Check out online access to UC library materials at the California Digital Library.  More about UC system's libraries

Museums, Galleries and Archives
UC has dozens of arts venues and archival collections — from paintings and film to bugs and bones. On-campus and off-campus, these cultural reservoirs are places for exploration and introspection.

Visual and Performing Arts
Dance, theater, music, movies — UC's performing arts spaces are wonderful public gathering places for the entire community. Often, UC campuses provide the premier performing arts venues for the entire region, showcasing new talents from the campus as well as headliners from around the world.

Arts in the Community
In an era of cutbacks in public-school arts programs, UC provides valuable arts education and outreach programs that teach art, dance, drama, music and digital arts in the community.

Gardens and Herbaria
UC has some wonderful botanical gardens to go along with its exciting arts spaces. These gardens are a big public draw, all the while providing important test beds for research.

Aquariums and Marine Centers
UC's public resources extend beyond dry land: through several marine science and research centers, Californians can see and learn more about the underwater world.

Observatories and Planetariums
UC literally helps students reach for the stars. UC operates the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes — the Keck twin telescopes in Hawaii — and a number of planetarium closer to its campuses.

Natural Reserve System
UC's 34 natural reserves — 130,000 acres of protected land in ecologically diverse regions throughout California — are available for university-level instruction and research as well as unparalleled opportunities for the environmental education of K-12 youth. NRS staff also consult on important community concerns such as watershed protection, fire suppression, regional resource management and land-use impacts.

TV, Radio and Campus Newspapers
The television and radio stations at the University of California bring knowledge and entertainment to campus communities and the public. Check out the latest UC programming on the air and online. UC's award-winning campus and student newspapers also frequently serve as important news sources for the surrounding communities.

UC Press
One of the five largest university publishers in the nation, the University of California Press is a major cultural institution, putting out a full spectrum of distinguished works of scholarship, research and original thinking.


Other Public Resources at UC
4-H Youth Programs
Athletics
Campus Tours (in-person and online)
Continuing Education (lifelong learning and professional
    development)
Cooperative Extension (agricultural services and nutrition
    information)