In June 2023, UC Berkeley leadership received a proposal to unname The Bancroft Library due to the racist and nativist views of its namesake, Hubert Howe Bancroft. The library is one of the largest special collections libraries in the United States. As it is not merely a campus building name but includes multiple collections within the Doe Annex building, a special committee was deemed necessary.

The Bancroft Library Reckoning Committee (BLRC) was formed to address this issue. In spring 2024, the Office of the Chancellor, UC Berkeley Library, and Division of Equity & Inclusion tasked the BLRC with reviewing H.H. Bancroft's writings and conducting listening sessions with library and campus constituents.

The BLRC consulted various sources by and about H.H. Bancroft and compiled citations into a guide available on the Library website. They also created a webpage for public input into their deliberations.

The committee concluded its work earlier this year and submitted a report in June detailing their process, findings, feedback received, and options for potential changes.

On July 10, Chancellor Rich Lyons, Interim Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Fabrizio Mejia, and University Librarian Suzanne Wones issued a letter outlining steps regarding H.H. Bancroft’s legacy:

The BLRC's final report from June 2025 outlined engagement with stakeholders to address H.H. Bancroft's views. It included recommendations for actions after considering risks and benefits.

The committee engaged in five listening sessions with 86 participants total, additional meetings with community groups, comments via Google forms, and letters.

“As a public institution of higher education, the committee believes that a reckoning process provides opportunities for greater civic and community engagement and empowerment,” stated the report.

Based on the report's recommendations:

- A community engagement librarian will be added to increase outreach capacity by 2026.

- An educational exhibition at The Bancroft Library will explore its origins and H.H. Bancroft’s views by Fall 2027.

- An academic symposium will discuss historical perspectives on white supremacy from 2028-2029.

Renaming The Bancroft Library presented drawbacks such as operational challenges affecting global users seeking "Bancroft Library" items. Thus, they decided not to change its name but focus on addressing issues through other actions.

"We aim to invest in conversations and learning as an academic institution," stated Lyons, Mejia, and Wones in their letter.

They thanked BLRC members for laying groundwork for ongoing restorative justice efforts on campus.

Sincerely,

Richard K. Lyons

Fabrizio Mejia

Suzanne Wones