The Gregori Maians Social Sciences Library is celebrating a quarter of a century of service to the university community this year. Opened in 1999, it is the result of a project that began in the early 1990s and was developed by architects Giorgio Grassi and Manuel Portaceli, who made it one of the most representative works of 20th-century Valencian architecture.

To commemorate this 25th anniversary, a ceremony was held in the library lobby on Thursday, September 18. The event featured speeches by Carlos Hermenegildo, Vice-Rector for Research; Cristina Tomás, Director of the Library and Documentation Service; and the library's director, Amelia López Martínez. After the opening speeches, the musical group RockAddiction entertained the event on the library terrace, in an atmosphere of celebration and reunion for the entire university community.

Over the past 25 years, the library has undergone constant transformation. The spaces and infrastructure have been adapted to new forms of learning and collaborative work; the collections have grown and diversified to respond to the wide range of disciplines in the social sciences; technology has transformed services, facilitating access to information and digital tools; and both students and research staff have found increasingly specialized and accessible support in the library.It is impossible to ignore its imposing figure: the Social Sciences Library at the University of Valencia crowns the Tarongers Campus, standing out from above like a fortress of knowledge. Surrounded by a moat crossed by a footbridge, its façade looms over those who enter its impressive hall, symbolizing the transition to a space of knowledge and learning. Both the building and the lobby have been featured in numerous articles in architecture magazines.

The entrance lobby acts as a central hub from which the different areas of the library are distributed, facilitating the smooth flow of people entering it. This project was conceived in 1990, developed between 1996 and 1998 by architects Giorgio Grassi and Manuel Portaceli, and inaugurated in 1999 with Pedro Ruiz Torres as rector and Professor of Pharmacology Francisco J. Morales Olivas as vice-rector in charge of supervising the construction.

Blanca Llopis Carles took over as director of the new library and remained in charge until 2021. After her retirement, José Miguel Gallego Jiménez took over as director until March 2024. Currently, the library is directed by Amelia López Martínez.Its name honors the memory of Gregori Maians i Siscar, an illustrious 18th-century Valencian scholar, philologist, historian, and librarian, known for his vast knowledge and his role in promoting the culture and science of his time. One cannot cross the threshold of its main entrance without being impressed by the symmetries and pure, clean lines, the infinite ceilings, and the open spaces.

Over the years, the library has established itself as a fundamental resource for the academic community, adapting to new needs and becoming a benchmark in the field of university libraries. Its extensive collection of specialized resources in law, economics, sociology, political science, social work, and education, among other disciplines, is matched only by its commitment to service. It is considered a fortress of knowledge or a cathedral of learning; the essence of this library and those who work there lies in their commitment to providing access to all necessary resources and creating a welcoming and functional environment. Designed to make everyone feel welcome and supported, the library ensures that each person finds the knowledge and comfort they seek.