Search

More News July 30, 2018

If you’ve visited Rivera Library in the past three years, you’ve likely seen Mohamed Jawara’s smiling face behind the front desk.

What you might never have guessed is that Jawara took the job at the Circulation / Reserves Desk to help him conquer shyness and to improve his communication and interpersonal skills.

“I saw how the staff at the front desk would help patrons, and I thought it would be a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone,” Jawara explained. “Working at the library, it’s a really positive environment. Everyone is very caring and supportive and they’ve played a great role in me improving myself and becoming a better person. We treat each other as a family.”

“Mohamed is a true servant leader at heart,” said Leslie Settle, Rivera Library's Access Services desk coordinator. “As a student supervisor, he sets the tone for the front desk and is an exemplary example of phenomenal customer service. When I think of training others in leadership and customer service, the things I have seen Mohamed do come to mind -- from how to greet patrons to making everyone feel like they belong.”

Born in the Republic of Sierra Leone in West Africa, Jawara immigrated to the United States in 2008 with his mother, a certified nurse assistant. At first, they stayed with his uncle’s family in Torrance, CA, but eventually settled in Loma Linda.

In 2016, Jawara’s younger brother and two sisters arrived from Sierra Leone. His father, formerly an accountant for the Sierra Leone Ministry of Defense, finally joined his family in May 2018, more than a decade after his wife and eldest son first came to the U.S.

“I felt like my mother did a great job trying to substitute whatever support my father would have given me, had he been here,” he said. “Even though it was difficult, she made the process a bit easier.”

He chose to attend UC Riverside because of its proximity to home. “It’s easy to commute here, and it would have been very expensive to live in the dorms,” he said.

Once he arrived, he was pleased to discover that UCR lived up to its reputation as a diverse campus. “It’s been great to meet people with different backgrounds of different races and develop friendships with them. That has enhanced my education here at UCR.”

Jawara graduated with the Class of 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a focus on law and society. He hopes to pursue graduate study and work in the field of public health, an interest that stemmed from tragedies he witnessed in his homeland.

Before Jawara came to California at age 12, he saw many horrors in the midst of Sierra Leone’s civil war, which only compounded challenges the country already had with meeting basic healthcare needs.

“I was born in the middle of that upheaval,” he said. “Growing up, I got to see those casualties of war, people who had limbs amputated. It was common to see close friends that I grew up with dying from malaria. I also had an uncle who suffered from a liver condition. The right professionals weren’t even available, so he relied heavily on native healing. Unfortunately, it just got worse and he ended up passing away.”

His father and siblings were still in Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis of 2014. “It was really excruciating to hear their calls and how frightened they were,” he said. As a result of these experiences, Jawara has devoted his studies to learning how to improve healthcare so that he can someday make a difference in Sierra Leone by building more hospitals staffed with trained medical professionals.

Settle commented, “Mohamed was born to understand and love all people in sincerity without judgment. Not only is he talented, but he has a purity about him that is unexplainable.”

How can someone who has seen firsthand so many gruesome tragedies still have such optimism? In a word: travel. “It plays a big role in me having a more positive outlook on life because I’ve had the opportunity to see the difference between having to struggle for basic things,” Jawara said.

“See how the rest of the world lives. By traveling, you get to compare and contrast and have a much deeper appreciation for what you have, no matter how little,” he added. “For you, it might seem like it’s nothing, but to someone else out there, it’s the whole world.”

In June 2018, Jawara was hired as a Research Assistant at UC Riverside's School of Medicine's Center for Healthy Communities. Additionally, he continued at an internship with the Riverside County Department of Public Health.

While interning and working, Jawara will begin applying for a variety of graduate programs in social science and healthcare.

More News June 16, 2021

A fall quarter 2020 library presentation inspired a current UC Riverside student to donate his personal book collection to Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA).

On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, Sandy Enriquez, Special Collections Public Services, Outreach & Community Engagement Librarian, and Andrew Lippert, Special Collections Processing Archivist, co-presented “On Slash Fanfiction and Yaoi Manga: Fandom and Sexuality in the Archives.”

During their presentation, Enriquez and Lippert gave a general introduction to the worlds of slash fanfiction and yaoi manga, also known as boys' love or BL; discussed how these items first arrived at the UCR Library and the emerging scholarship involving these important materials at UCR; and elucidated the reasons behind why the library hopes to collect more in the future.

“Slash and BL fandoms focus on romantic and/or sexual relationships between fictional male characters,” Enriquez explained. “Academic scholars have researched the impact and culture of slash and BL fandom for many years, but it wasn't until recently that they started incorporating a Feminist and Queer Theory lens to this research. From this lens, we now know that slash and BL fandoms are far more fluid and diverse than originally thought.”

The student donor, who wished to remain anonymous, shared what inspired him to gift his personal library to Special Collections: "I always thought that the history of our age would be written decades in the future, but attending a BL/slash event showed me that the work of analysis and preservation is happening now. That there was an enthusiastic community eager to delve into the whys and hows of something that has impacted my life. There are people that care enough about Boys Love and slash fiction to warrant a budding field of research. And I wanted to contribute to this wonderful project somehow, so I decided to make these books I've enjoyed available in the UCR Library."

According to Enriquez, other fans of slash or BL in the UC Riverside community are welcome to send their recommendations for this genre to SCUA staff at specialcollections@ucr.edu. “We hope to increase the BL manga collection at UCR and appreciate your suggestions,” she said.

The slash fanfiction and yaoi manga online event was co-sponsored by the UCR LGBT Resource Center and Asian Pacific Student Programs. Eighty-three members of the UCR community registered to attend. The replay is now available on the SCUA events page, along with other recent recordings of presentations by SCUA employees.

More News November 22, 2024

One of the newest exhibits on display in Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) is First in the Nation: A History of the Costo Library. 

This exhibit offers a deeply personal and historical look at the Rupert Costo Library of the American Indian. Curated by Sandy Enriquez, Special Collections Public Services Outreach and Community Engagement Librarian, the exhibit reflects the lifelong dedication of Rupert and Jeanette Costo to activism, scholarship, and the preservation of Native American heritage. The exhibit is on display through the end of winter quarter 2025 in the Costo Library, located on the 4th floor of the Tomás Rivera Library in SCUA.

Enriquez curated the exhibit, while Christian Bean, the UCR Library’s Conservator, carried out the physical installation. Together, they created an experience that highlights the Costos’ enduring legacy. One standout feature is a rare photograph of a young Rupert Costo holding a bundle of quail. This image is paired with his short story, Song of the Quail, which tells the story of a young Cahuilla boy on a journey of self-discovery. “Seeing it in juxtaposition with Costo's photograph, it really feels like you can trace where the inspiration for this story might have come from,” Enriquez said.

The exhibit’s opening reception earlier this month brought the community together in a meaningful way. Guided tours allowed attendees to explore the exhibit in-depth while engaging with Native faculty, students, and community members. Sandy expressed her gratitude to Dr. Clifford Trafzer, Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs, and William Madrigal, doctoral student and Cahuilla language professor, for their input on the exhibit and reception. A particularly touching moment was the attendance of Mara Costo, Rupert Costo’s niece, and her family. The event also generated enthusiasm among Native faculty and community members to digitize the Costo Library dedication cassette tapes, reinforcing the library’s commitment to preserving and sharing Indigenous histories.

Enriquez hopes visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of the Costo Library’s significance. “The Costo Library is not just a study space; it is the physical manifestation of a lifetime of activism, scholarship, and foresight from the Costos. This is an important part of UCR’s history that we should not forget or overlook,” she said.

This exhibit also reflects the broader mission of the Costo Library: to serve as a hub for rigorous research in Native American Studies. Enriquez envisions this as the first of many future exhibits in the space, each continuing the legacy of the Costos by fostering public scholarship and advancing knowledge.

Through First in the Nation, UCR honors the Costos’ invaluable contributions to the field of Native American Studies. The exhibit invites visitors to engage with a history that remains deeply relevant today.

---

Event	First in the Nation: A History of the Costo Library
Location	Tomás Rivera Library, 4th floor, Costo Library in Special Collections & University Archives (enter the double glass doors)
Dates	Monday, September 23, 2024 - Friday, March 21, 2025
Hours	View this exhibit during SCUA's operating hours.  Monday  - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  NOTE: We are closed during UCR observed holidays.
Parking	Free Visitor Parking is available on Fridays, starting at 12:00 PM through 6:00 AM Monday morning in the unreserved spaces of the following parking lots/structures: Lot 6 Blue Lot 13 Blue Big Springs Parking Structure 2 Lot 26 Gold Lot 30 Gold Lot 50 Gold Paid Visitor Parking information can be found here.

More News July 14, 2020

The UCR Library staff and African Student Programs collaborated to create a guide for the UCR community on the Black Lives Matter movement.

The guide provides general sources and research information about the Black Lives Matter movement and related social justice issues. It includes websites, books and e-books, streaming videos, podcasts, databases, and more. It is adapted from an openly-licensed guide created by librarians Lalitha Nataraj and Holly Hampton at CSU San Marcos.

The guide came into being when Jamal J. Myrick, Ed.D., Director of African Student Programs (ASP) at UC Riverside, contacted Leslie Settle, Access Services Desk Coordinator for the UCR Library, to ask whether the library could create a resource that focuses on anti-racism, Black History, and cultural movements. “I think that would be a great way for us to show up together,” Dr. Myrick wrote. The goal of the guide was to help the UCR community to learn and engage.

As Dr. Myrick states in the guide’s introduction, “In the last six months, we've reached a critical juncture in the history of the United States that will forever be etched in time. From grieving over cancelled milestone moments due to COVID-19, to remote learning interactions, to the numerous lynchings of Black bodies resulting in calls for justice, researchers will surely look back on this year with intrigue.”

Settle brought Dr. Myrick’s suggestion to the Director of Teaching and Learning, Dani Cook, and Deputy University Librarian, Ann Frenkel, who supported the idea.

Cook enlisted Kathy Tran, a student employee from the library's Teaching and Learning department, to adapt and expand the original online guide. The draft guide was then shared with Dr. Myrick and the ASP, library staff, and other members of the UCR community for additions and feedback.

Frenkel felt it was crucial for the UCR Library’s guide to include local resources and information relevant to Riverside and the surrounding region. “Kathy did an amazing job in updating the resources to reflect UCR’s holdings and services, as well as adding additional social media and other resources,” Cook said.

“Taking on this project has energized, empowered and educated me in so many ways,” Tran said. “Researching different resources helped me see what I can do to further educate myself in the different aspects of Black Lives Matter, but it has also helped me refer different resources to my friends, family, and fellow classmates.” She added that the guide can serve as an educational tool in all aspects of our community lives.

The finished guide can be found here.

As Dr. Myrick writes, “We invite you to immerse yourself in the videos, podcasts, and readings (many available at the library) and allow the information you learn to provide life-transforming ideas for your fight for justice and life.”

Library staff will consider suggestions from the UCR community (use this form) for additional resources that may be added to the guide.

More News January 05, 2018

In 2015, the Student Managers Initiative Committee, comprised of student managers from various departments at UC Riverside, identified a need on campus for more training, support, and use of best practices for student supervisors.

The committee’s findings inspired Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Services Ron Coley to approve and fund the committee’s desire to create a Student Supervisors Conference. The conference, titled Operational Excellence: Supervising Students Successfully, took place at UCR on January 4, 2018.

Several members of the UCR Library staff team have served on this committee over the past few years, including Public Services Assistant Zayda Delgado, Acquisitions Assistant Christy Brown-Anderson, Access Services Desk Coordinators Elisha Hankins and Leslie Settle, and Interim Director of Organizational Design and Human Resources Wendy Williams-Clark.

“The existence of this committee demonstrates the campus commitment to the experience of our students, not only in academics, but their overall experience,” Delgado said. “There are dedicated managers on this campus committed to making sure that our student employees are getting the very best out of their years here in Riverside.”

At the conference Settle and Hankins led an interactive workshop, Be the Difference: Building Emerging Leaders through Mentorship, which highlighted how to engage and cultivate leadership qualities in student employees through what's known as servant leadership, and the importance of mentoring relationships with student employees.

As part of their workshop, former library student employee Lacey Grawe gave personal testimony. Grawe is now in a career staff position as the Orbach Library Assistant Night Supervisor.

“People were so interested in our presentation the room was filled more than 15 minutes prior to start time,” said Settle. “Our presentation was so packed that people had to leave. Some sat on floor and stood along the walls.” Out of 150 total conference attendees, 65 people attended Settle’s and Hankins’ session.

According to Settle, the committee's scope of work evolved beyond simply discussing how managers supervise, to writing a 400-page proposal about how to make student employment on campus consistent and developing a new campus Student Employee Center. The proposal is currently under review by the UCR Cabinet. “The conference is a very minute portion of the bigger picture we are working on,” she explained. “Student employees are the future of UCR and will carry the brand. I want to ensure that the brand they carry is representative of the great campus I belong to.”

“Leslie and I are passionate about finding the best in individuals and calling them to live a life of excellence and purpose, whether they are our staff or student employees,” Hankins commented. “Our UCR students are emerging leaders and agents of change in various fields. We are today’s leaders investing in and nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.”

More News August 22, 2016

UCR Library’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) held its kick-off event on Wednesday, August 17, 2016. More than half of the library’s academic and staff employees came to one of the two sessions, held in Rivera and Orbach libraries.

The PDC comprises Library employees who volunteered to participate in cultivating opportunities for professional development. With members from the various employee groups (represented, non-represented, academic, non-academic, supervisor, non-supervisor), the PDC is positioned to advise Library Administration on an array of diverse professional development needs. This unique endeavor has the full support of Library Administration who looks forward to this feedback from employees.

“I was interested in hearing what type of professional development philosophies might come up,” explained Jacqueline Bates, Financial and Acquisitions Analyst. “Working with people to identify the best programs for them is vital. People are much more likely to engage fully and derive real benefit from any type of training and development program if they understand why the program is valuable and can contribute to their ability to do their job well. I am pleased that the Library envisions an idea that when you energize people to be at their best and make a positive difference, the organization will indeed obtain organizational excellence.”

At the top of the hour, PDC Chair Leslie Settle welcomed the group. Committee members guided employees through a peer-to-peer brainstorming session, with the goal of identifying professional development needs. “The warm-up exercises got our minds thinking and mental states in tune with sharing,” said Christy Brown Anderson, Monographs Receiving Assistant.

The session continued with an interactive, visual facilitation exercise with employees posting their suggestions, by category, onto the wall. Categories included: Customer Service, Leadership, Communication, Teamwork, Technology, and Diversity.

Similar to a silent auction, employees used stickers to select the development opportunities they felt would have the greatest impact. “It was great to see everyone’s ideas up on the wall,” said Carla Arbagey, Electronic Resources Librarian. “And to see which ideas got the most votes.” The PDC also sent out an email survey to solicit input from employees who were unable to attend the kick-off.

Popular recommendations included:

• Cross-training and job shadowing in other units, to better understand workflows
• Communication skills
• Sensitivity training (diversity and microaggressions)
• Conflict management
• Customer service
• Project management
• Grant and proposal writing

 “I saw it as an opportunity to interact with staff members that I don’t typically work with, and to hear different ideas and perspectives about what others need to improve their knowledge base and grow professionally,” explained Eric Milenkiewicz, Manuscripts Curator. “I liked the collaborative nature of the event, specifically when the group came together as a collective to surface common professional development needs across the library.”

“I was interested in hearing what colleagues in other departments are looking for out of our organization, and where our goals and desires intersect,” said Alexandra Dolan-Mescal, Web Developer and User-Interface Designer. “I would love to partake in collaborative professional development rather than just individual, as I have so far. I greatly enjoyed the small groups talking through individual cards and grouping them together, as it showed clearly how similar our interests are and how there are categories of professional development interests that could be explored programmatically.”

“I like to be an active member of our library staff,” explained E-Resources Librarian Carla Arbagey. “I’m also interested in continuing my own professional development, so I was eager to see what kind of activities the committee was planning.”

Monographs Receiving Assistant Christy Brown Anderson was also curious about what the session might entail. “I wanted to take the opportunity to see what learning topics others were interested in, as well as be able to contribute to that,” she said. “I had wondered before the event whether there would be a focus on the technical or performance type of skills needed for the efficient and successful operation of the library, or on more visionary topics.”

“The Professional Development Committee is excited that our first peer-to-peer brainstorming session was a success. These sessions proved to be a benefit to everyone involved and allowed us a unique opportunity to suggest to Library HR what training and development we would like to see in this upcoming fiscal year,” stated Leslie Settle, Circulation Services Desk Supervisor and PDC Chair. “The post-it notes we collected represented our voice and we are privileged to draft a proposal that will encompass the voice of the team.”

Library Human Resources looks forward to crafting an implementation plan  from the PDC’s proposal. “Library employees are engaged – driving their professional development. And Library leadership actively supports a culture of collaboration, creativity and learning,” said Lisa Dye, Director, Organizational Design and Human Resources. “It’s a win-win. It’s organizational excellence.”

Keeping with the strategic plan, University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble is committed to providing development opportunities to all levels of library employees. His vision, and that of Library Administration, is to empower library employees to continue to build their skill sets and develop into contemporary professionals who contribute to UCR Library’s identity as an Association of Research Libraries organization. The Professional Development Committee will play a vital role by empowering library employees with a voice to propose solutions in a collaborative setting.

Future suggestions for professional development are welcome, and employees are encouraged to submit ideas to the Professional Development Committee via email at: professionaldevelopment@ucr.edu.

More News June 14, 2020

Each spring, the UCR Library typically hosts a Student Employee and Staff Appreciation Picnic to honor the people who serve the UC Riverside community through their work at the library.

Due to the COVID-19 closure, we were not able to hold the celebration this year, nor could we recognize the 22 library student employees who would be graduating with UC Riverside’s Class of 2020: Cristina Canales, Janely Cruz, Julianna Gil, Sheyla Hernandez Amador, Leonardo Kim, Jiayi Lin, Ayanna McDowell, Belen Meza-Hernandez, Alejandro Moody, Giselle Moreno, Sophia Mosbe, Ashley Nguyen, Jalak Patel, Victoria Pedrosa, Stacy Rodriguez Chavez, Justus Ross, Elias Sells, Jacqueline Stewart, Glen Sturgeon, Isabel Torres, Tracy Vargas, and Kimberly Wu.

We asked our 2020 graduates to share their favorite memories from their time spent working at the UCR Library, and what they would miss most about working here. Here are some of their responses:

Kimberly Wu

“My favorite memories from working at the library was getting to see parts of Orbach and Rivera that I didn't know existed if I wasn't working there. It was interesting to see where some doors led to, and I also got to learn where all the different stairwells were as well. I am going to miss joking around with my coworkers and not having to wait in a line to use the printer (because there's a printer inside the office).”

Jalak Patel

“One of my favorite parts about working in the Creat’RLab is the amount of flexibility and creativity I’ve had to grow personally and professionally. Each day, I was constantly challenging myself with new technology and engaging with various students ranging from different majors/years. At the end of the day, the best part was always interacting with students. I always enjoyed giving tours and sharing all the amazing things that Creat’RLab had to offer that I loved dearly myself. I easily fell in love with the Creat’RLab space and community that I would find myself in there often even when not on my shifts. That’s when you know your job doesn’t feel like work!

“The greatest thing about working in such a creative and innovative space was the ability to engage in a wide variety of activities. As a student technician for three years, I had an opportunity to grow and engage in various creative facets ranging from 3D printing, sewing, to VR headsets and even consulting students for laser cutting. And that was the best part, no day at work was the exact same! I am beyond thankful to UCR Library, Creat’RLab community, bosses, and my small group of close-knit co-workers who easily became family and made my first job an amazing experience!”

Ayanna McDowell

“My favorite memory was our team bonding experience last fall. We had to get over a rope without touching it. I ended up splitting my pants, but it was such a good time. I will miss the staff and student employees the most. They truly were a joy to work with; and I know that is very rare in a work environment. So I will miss them deeply.”

Giselle Moreno

“My favorite memory working at the library was setting up for Finals Week Stress Relief week with staff at the front desk. I loved collaborating with my other coworkers and being able to be a resource to my peers during finals week. What I will miss most about working at the UCR Library is working in a supportive environment. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of a team that uplifts their student workers and views them leaders. I will also miss my supervisors Elisha, Greg and Michelle. I am grateful to have been able to work with each and everyone of them.”

Sophia Mosbe

Favorite memory: “Playing cornhole at the Student Picnic last year with library staff.”

“I'm going to miss the staff and my fellow student workers. Everyone was always so kind and cared about each other that it really did feel like a second family. Not being able to finish my final quarter with them has been heartbreaking, but I am determined to pop in for a visit once things become relatively normal again. #OrbachPride”

Julianna Gil

Favorite memory: “Laughing and joking around with my student coworkers, and developing great friendships with them. As well as drawing little pictures on the whiteboard inside our workspace.”

What she will miss: “All my student coworkers and archivists that worked in Special Collections. They were always so kind to me. Both my supervisors were great and incredibly understanding.”

Leonardo Kim

Favorite memory: “Going out with co-workers after shifts on hangouts and grabbing last minute food.”

“I will miss having a flexible schedule and working with Shelly and Greg. I think they are some of the best people I have met at UCR and have been really helpful when I had questions. Hopefully we can still be in touch after I graduate.”

Isabel Torres

“My favorite memory from working in the library is being able to help my fellow classmates discover the amazing resources the library has to offer. I will miss working with the department of Teaching and Learning and my Information Desk coworkers.”

Glen Sturgeon

Favorite memory: “The time everyone passed around a boxed toy called a Shmoo. It was such a ridiculous object and the staff reacted to it in varying degrees of delight and horror. The library has so many quirky holdings in special collections, it always brightened my day to help process them! See attached photo of the Shmoo.

“I already miss the staff at SCUA so much! Being at Special Collections and University Archives cemented my love for archives and library science. Thanks to the support and encouragement of my supervisor, Andrew Lippert, I applied to and was accepted to UCLA’s MLIS program this fall! I’ll miss sharing strange finds from the collections and gawking at new rare acquisitions with the incredible staff of SCUA. The real treasures in the archives are the people who work there.”

Elias Sells

“My favorite memory is probably just hanging out in the office and talking with all of my coworkers and my boss on slow days. What I'll miss most is probably the Thanksgiving potlucks.”

Stacy Rodriguez Chavez

“My favorite memory from working at the library is the people that I got to work with. I had amazing people that helped me and encouraged me throughout the years that I worked at Orbach. I'm forever grateful for Kit, Pat, and Sara for making my work environment amazing and for the constant motivation they would give me. What I'll miss the most from working at Orbach would be the people I learned from and worked with. I wish them the very best and hope to see them very soon.”

Jacqueline Stewart

“My favorite memory working at the library is just being there almost everyday working with so many cool stuff at special collections. The coolest thing I saw was a really tiny book that fit on the tip of my finger. I will miss everyone I worked with. Everyone I worked with was so helpful and such a pleasure to work with.”

Belen Meza Hernandez

“My favorite memory of working at the library is during finals week, when the staff would bring in puppies to de-stress. And also, when my friends would ask me for help to find library materials. What I will miss the most is the friendliness of the staff and having a flexible schedule that allowed me to focus on school.”

Victoria Pedrosa

“To the Class of 2020, we did it! Thank you to Special Collections, you made working there one of my most memorable experiences at UCR.”

Janely Cruz

“My favorite memory from working at the library was going to the annual picnics and potlucks. Seeing everyone come together and have a good time was always something I looked forward to. I will most definitely miss all my coworkers, supervisors Shelly and Greg, and all the other staff at the UCR Library. From my first day working there, everyone was so welcoming. I am going to miss coming into the library almost every day and working with the most amazing people.”

Sheyla Hernandez

“We made it!”