Yes, money for libraries at UCSD has been significantly cut:
Since 2008, the Libraries have absorbed cuts of more than $5.5 million (or approximately 16% of our operations and collections budget). In addition to these cuts, the Libraries were assessed approximately $1 million for employee furloughs last year. For 2011-12, the Libraries received a budget cut of $2 million.
(full disclosure: I'm a UCSD grad student) The closing of CLICS (the site of the break-in) was particularly surprising since it was often busy, even during non-finals time. Of course, during finals weeks, available libraries are extremely crowded.
Since 2008, the Libraries have absorbed cuts of more than $5.5 million (or approximately 16% of our operations and collections budget). In addition to these cuts, the Libraries were assessed approximately $1 million for employee furloughs last year. For 2011-12, the Libraries received a budget cut of $2 million.
http://libraries.ucsd.edu/budgetcutsFAQ/index.html
(full disclosure: I'm a UCSD grad student) The closing of CLICS (the site of the break-in) was particularly surprising since it was often busy, even during non-finals time. Of course, during finals weeks, available libraries are extremely crowded.