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Honoring the life of a treasured colleague
On Monday, Mar. 29, library employees gathered virtually to celebrate the life and enduring contributions of Christina Cicchetti, a UCR librarian for the past 14 years, most recently the Social Sciences Teaching Librarian.
Christina passed away on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 from complications related to COVID-19.
In 2007, Christina joined the UCR Library as an Education / Reference Librarian, after more than 30 years of experience in higher education, including librarian roles at La Sierra University and the University of La Verne.
Christina was well-known as a supportive and caring colleague who fostered fruitful and warm partnerships between the faculty and the library. She formed deep and lasting collaborations with UCR’s Graduate School of Education faculty and students. In 2019, her librarian position expanded to include support for all social science disciplines.
She oversaw the Learning Resources Display Center at Tomás Rivera Library. Beyond UCR, Christina connected with local educators on college readiness and became a founding member of a regional group of K-12 and academic librarians to create a library bridge to college.
She consistently enhanced the patron experience at the library with book fairs, dynamic displays, professional development events, and faculty orientation sessions.
Christina is deeply missed and remembered fondly by her colleagues at the UCR Library and around campus.
“In addition to Christina’s genuine heart and professionalism was also her spirit and perseverance. Especially the past few years. Christina was an inspiration to us all. Christina made me want to be more than just an excellent librarian, she made me want to be an excellent individual and human being. I will truly miss her.” - Michael Yonezawa, Early Experience Teaching Librarian
“Christina brought so many great qualities to the workplace! I always appreciated her calm, reasoned, and collaborative approach, as well as her wry, realistic views on whatever was happening. She’ll be sorely missed. Wishing comfort and strength to all who mourn her loss.” - Janet Reyes, Geospatial Information Librarian
“Christina was a compassionate and beautiful soul. She truly cared about the work she did, and she cared about the people she worked with. She definitely embodied Colossians 3:23-24. It reads, ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.’ Christina will be missed on earth, but blessed to know she is now in Heaven with the Father. Thank you Christina for every story you shared and every word of encouragement you gave me. I love you always.” - Leslie Settle, Access Services Desk Coordinator
“Thank you Chris for your kindness, encouragement, and friendship over the years. Chris was kind and caring. I remember the care she took as a librarian whether at reference or in the early days at the curriculum resource center. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to the Cicchetti family.” - Elisa Cortez, Medical Education and Clinical Outreach Librarian
"Christina was a kind and thoughtful colleague, who embodied a quiet assuredness. She was always supportive, professionally and personally. Even though my office was in Orbach, she would still come over to my office or the reference desk, to follow up on a project, offer support for something, or just to say hi. More recently, she reached out to offer support to me when I experienced a personal tragedy due to the pandemic. Her example as a colleague and librarian encourages me to be better. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her friends and family." - Kat Koziar, Data Librarian
"We were all so fortunate to get to work with Christina at UCR. She embodied an ethic of care with her colleagues, and was always so kind to everyone she met. May her memory be a blessing." - Dani Cook, former Director of Teaching & Learning
"Christina was a gift to the Graduate School of Education. She looked out for our library needs and shared her expertise with our faculty and students. She was one of my favorite people at UCR. Thank you for sharing all of the stories about Christina’s wonderful life. She will be remembered and missed by all." - Sharon Duffy, former Dean, UCR Extension
"Christina was remarkable; such an amazing help to students in the GSOE. Every time she came to a class to open the exploration of a search, I learned something new." - Rollanda O'Connor, Professor, Graduate School of Education
"Christina was a wonderful colleague, librarian, researcher and teacher--always quick to help and with a serene and healing smile on her face. I am thankful for Christina's presence in my life and in the lives of our students, staff, and faculty. We miss you very dearly, Christina." - Robert Ream, Interim Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education
New archival collections available for summer quarter 2017
Special Collections & University Archives staff are constantly working to process recently acquired collections and make those materials ready for use by students, faculty, and researchers.
Each quarter, we will provide a list of UCR Library's newly processed archival and primary source collections. Check out the list below to see if there are any items that fit your research area, or share with a friend!
Below you'll find brief descriptions and links to the finding aids or collection guides for each new collection. To use any of these materials, simply click the "Request Items" button at the top to submit a request, and log in with our Special Collections Request System. For more on conducting research in Special Collections, see this page.
SCUA is open to the public on weekdays from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Check here for closures or other changes to our regular hours.
For questions, email specialcollections@ucr.edu.
Newly Processed Collections – Summer 2017
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains correspondence, science fiction convention programs, and a floppy disk from science fiction author Vernor Vinge. The correspondence mostly concerns other authors and publishers sending Vinge their works for his review or comments.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
The Abbie Voorhies De Verges papers contain photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, certificates, and other material from Abbie Voorhies DeVerges, a nurse in the Air Force who worked at the Tuskegee Army Air Field during the Second World War.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains materials related to the publication and distribution of Dreams and Nightmares, a fantasy and science fiction poetry magazine edited by David C. Kopaska-Merkel. Items in the collection include original page proofs for a number of issues, art and poetry submissions, and correspondence and records related to some distributors of the magazine.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains signatures of British nobility and members of the British royal family and includes some signed letters and government documents. Notable signatures in the collection include those of Queen Victoria, Prince of Wales Albert Edward (later Edward VII), Princess May of Teck (later Queen Mary), and multiple Dukes and Duchesses.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection consists of correspondence from 19th century British politician Charles Philip Yorke to various family members and fellow politicians. The collection also contains letters from Yorke's brother, Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke, to Charles. Most of the correspondence concerns British political events of the early 1800s, most notably the ministries of Henry Addington and William Pitt the Younger.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains correspondence written by clergy members from the Church of England during the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily from bishops of various dioceses. Correspondence in the collection concerns mostly regular church business.
18.35 linear ft. (45 boxes)
This collection consists of notes, proofs, manuscripts, and other material related to the written works of Patricia Beatty, an award-winning author of children's books including Lupita Manana and Charley Skedaddle. The collection also includes materials on books Beatty co-authored with her husband John Beatty.
2.5 linear ft. (2 boxes)
This collection contains administrative records, press clippings, and other material from the Riverside Youth Concert Series, an organization in Riverside, California that provided affordable fine arts performances to local children from 1962-1978.
2.25 linear ft. (2 boxes)
The Collection on Philip K. Dick consists of press clippings, publications, short stories and manuscripts regarding Philip K. Dick, an American novelist who has published almost entirely in the science fiction genre. His works have been published in numerous literary magazines, such as Galaxy, Amazing Stories, and Fantasy and Science Fiction. The collection also consists of newsletters from the Philip K. Dick Society, and photographs and press booklets from the film Blade Runner.
9.67 linear ft. (9 boxes, 2 flat folders)
This collection consists of the professional and personal papers of actor and science fiction writer George Nader, including manuscript drafts, photographs, financial information, audio cassettes, and a film poster. Notable manuscripts in the collection include Nader's unpublished work The Perils of Paul, and Trio of Forever Friends, an autobiographical work written by Nader's partner Mark Miller about their friendship with actor Rock Hudson.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection consists of documents, programs, and fliers from conferences and events on turfgrass management held mostly in California in the 1950s and early 1960s.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains publications written and co-written by Walton B. Sinclair, a pioneer plant biochemist who worked at the Citrus Experiment Station in Riverside beginning in 1932 and was a professor emeritus of biochemistry at the University of California, Riverside. Publications in the collection focus on Sinclair's research regarding the biochemistry of various citrus fruits, as well as an article Sinclair wrote regarding the state of higher education in the Southern United States.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
The George A. Zentmyer papers is a collection of newsletters, monographs, and magazines related to UC Riverside professor emeritus George A. Zentmyer’s research on phytophthoras, which are a genus of plant-damaging molds that can cause damage to crops and natural ecosystems. The collection also includes obituaries for Zentmyer, and a booklet from his funeral service in 2003.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection includes documents, correspondence, photographs, and other material regarding Christena L. Schlundt, Professor Emerita of Dance and founding faculty member at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Materials in the collection include items pertaining to the UCR Department of Dance, the study of dance, and modern dancers and choreographers like Ted Shawn and Barton Mumaw.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains documents regarding Boysie E. Day, a former professor of Plant Physiology at UC Riverside. Items in the collection include a biography of Day, as well as an unpublished manuscript written by Day about a sailing expedition he took in the Pacific.
1.25 linear ft. (3 boxes)
The Riverside School Study collection is a collection of reports and newsletters that document the joint research performed in the late 1960s by the Riverside Unified School District and the University of California, Riverside on the relationship between the desegregation of public schools and emotional adjustment and academic achievements of children. The collection also includes publications and guidelines for educators placed in newly desegregated school environments.
2.5 linear ft. (4 boxes, 1 flat folder)
The George Boyce papers consists of the professional papers and manuscripts of George Arthur Boyce, a Native American historian and former Director of Navajo Education for the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. This collection documents his work with Navajo education and includes materials from his research and photographs depicting Navajo schools and students. Additionally, the collection includes oversize posters of day school budgets and Navajo translated newsletters.
2.92 linear ft. (8 boxes)
The John DeChancie papers is a collection of documents consisting of manuscripts, page proofs, and correspondence relating to the literary works of American comic fantasy and science fiction writer, John DeChancie.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
The collection contains press clippings, letters, and other material related to the research of historian John Hunt, focusing on the people and landmarks of Desert Hot Springs, California.
1.58 linear ft. (1 box)
The collection consists of an album of photographs depicting the Allison V. Armour expedition to the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico, a research expedition undertaken in 1895 by curators from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Photographs in the album focus mainly on the Mayan ruins visited by members of the expedition, with additional photographs of local scenery and the expedition group.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
The collection consists of a photograph album of nearly 200 black and white images taken by photojournalist Enrique Díaz Reyna of the festivities relating to the 1920 inauguration of Mexican President Álvaro Obregón.
0.5 linear ft. (2 boxes)
This collection contains lantern slides published by the London Missionary Society regarding David Livingstone, the noted explorer and medical missionary who traveled to Africa in the 19th century. The lantern slides in this collection depict Livingstone’s life in color illustrations and are accompanied by a pamphlet that provides descriptions of the slides. The collection also includes a handwritten piece on David Livingstone by an unknown author.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains several items related to composer William Berwald, including photocopies of several of his compositions, performance programs, articles, and a copy of a manuscript remembrance of Berwald written by his daughter.
4.67 linear ft. (4 boxes)
The collection consists of television scripts from Seasons 1-5 of the Canadian-American science fiction television series, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda (2000-2005), also known as Andromeda, which was based on unused material from screenwriter Gene Roddenberry. The collection also includes a script of an unaired episode from Season Two. The majority of the scripts are rough drafts and written before their air date.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains programs, newspaper clippings, fliers, posters, and other materials related to minority issues both on and off the UC Riverside campus in the late 1960s. Topics addressed in the collection include information on ethnic studies, African American students, Mexican American students, protests, and related campus events. The collection also includes items related to civil and labor rights issues happening off campus affecting students, on topics such as housing discrimination, farm worker strikes, and politics.
Discovering Tomás Rivera: A Legacy of Leadership, Literature, and Social Justice
As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches (observed September 15 - October 15), it’s important to recognize the lasting impact of Tomás Rivera on the UC Riverside community.
Tomás Rivera was the first Mexican American and minority chancellor in the University of California system and his influence continues to shape our campus. The Tomás Rivera Library, named in his honor, reflects his lasting impact on UCR and the Hispanic community.
Born in Crystal City, Texas, in 1935, Rivera was the son of migrant farmworkers and spent part of his early life working in the fields. He pursued higher education, eventually earning an M.A. in Spanish Literature and a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literature all while working as a high school teacher.
Rivera’s writing often gave a voice to those overlooked, addressing issues of identity and labor. His most recognized work is his novel ...y no se lo tragó la tierra (...and the Earth Did Not Devour Him). Published in 1971, the novel captured the lives of Mexican American migrant workers.
As chancellor of UCR from 1979 to 1984, Rivera was a champion for increasing educational access for underrepresented communities. His efforts were driven by a firm belief in the power of education to bring about social change. His leadership helped guide UCR towards becoming the inclusive and diverse institution it is today.
The Tomás Rivera Archive, housed in our Special Collections & University Archives, helps preserve his legacy. This collection includes manuscripts, correspondence, and photographs that provide valuable insights into his life and work. The archive serves as an essential resource for those studying Rivera’s impact on literature, education, and UCR. You can view select digitized photographs and documents from the collection on Calisphere.
Although he passed in 1984, Tomás Rivera remains a figure of significant importance. His dedication to education and social justice continues to inspire our community. The Tomás Rivera Library, along with his archive, stands as a living testament to his life’s work, ensuring that his influence on UCR and beyond will endure for generations.
Medical Education and Clinical Outreach
Overview
Medical Library Programs, integrated within the Research Services Department, provides specialized research assistance and instructional support for the UCR School of Medicine, which includes the Doctor of Medicine (MD), Graduate Medical Education (Residency, Fellowships), MS/PhD in Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Public Health (MPH). Offering expert guidance in navigating the complex landscape of biomedical literature and evidence-based resources, we support students, faculty, staff, and clinicians at the School of Medicine.
Elisa Cortez
Elisa's main responsibility is to support, develop and implement instructional, outreach and liaison services that support the needs of the faculty, students, staff and affiliated faculty and clinicians of the School of Medicine.
Elisa earned her Master of Information and Library Studies (MILS) from the University of Michigan. Elisa joined the Library in 2018.
Subject Specialties
- School of Medicine
Medical Education and Clinical Outreach Librarian
Governing the future of the Inland Empire Memories project
At the beginning of fall quarter 2018, University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble invited delegates from various local cultural heritage institutions to Orbach Library to discuss the Inland Empire Memories project.
More than 20 groups attended the event, including representatives from the Riverside African American Historical Society, Sherman Indian High School Museum, Riverside Metropolitan Museum, San Bernardino County Museum, San Bernardino County Historical Archives, March Field Air Museum, and more.
At this meeting, it was determined that the next step would be the formation of a small working group to develop a recommendation for the structure and funding of the group. The working group is comprised of representatives from academic institution libraries, museums, archives and galleries, who would help the UCR Library propel Inland Empire Memories forward into its next phase.
That group has since been formed and will meet again in January 2019 to develop the framework for building a sustainable network and structure to govern the Inland Empire Memories project moving forward.
Those interested in the Inland Empire Memories project should contact the UCR Library’s Assistant University Librarian for Content and Discovery, Tiffany Moxham for information.
Mark’s Path to Digitization
Mark Buchholz has served as the Digitization Services Specialist at the UCR Library since February 2022.
As the UCR Library's Digitization Services Specialist, Mark focuses on expanding the library’s digital collections by digitizing and preserving research materials and building the library’s digitization capacity for the future.
Mark’s journey into the world of libraries began unexpectedly during his freshman year of high school. A community service requirement led him to volunteer at his local library, where he was tasked with applying barcodes and spine labels to books. At the time, Mark found the work tedious. “I didn’t have any interest in working in libraries then,” Mark recalls. It wasn’t until much later that he would recognize the importance of that early experience.
Mark’s library career began in 2005 at the University of Miami Library, where he worked on a grant-based project to digitize the slide libraries of the Art History and Architecture Departments. “It was a good opportunity to learn,” Mark reflects, noting how digitizing thousands of images sparked an interest in art history. After the grant ended, Mark continued working for UM Libraries for another eight years, digitizing library materials from Special Collections, University Archives, and the Cuban Heritage Collection.
His work at the University of Miami eventually led him to the Claremont Colleges and, later, to the UCR Library. “I wanted to grow personally and professionally,” Mark explains on his move to UCR.
At the UCR Library, Mark has been involved in several significant projects, including the digitization of the Nuestra Cosa newspaper archive, which he found particularly rewarding. “The process of digitizing a multilingual newspaper introduces interesting challenges,” he explains, highlighting the complexities of optical character recognition and metadata description in multiple languages.
Mark is also excited about his upcoming move from the Orbach Library to a new digitization lab located in the Tomás Rivera Library. The new, purpose-built space will improve the safety and efficiency of the digitization process, allowing materials to stay in the same building and reducing risks associated with transportation. “It’s safer and better for the materials,” Mark states.
Mark has become an integral part of the UCR Library’s efforts to preserve and share our unique collections. His commitment to digitization ensures that valuable materials are not only safeguarded but also made accessible to future generations. You can view the UCR Library’s digital collections, which includes material that Mark and his team have digitized, on Calisphere.
Higher Education Administration & Policy
Located in: Tomás Rivera Library
The UCR Library collects extensively in the area of higher education administration and policy to support the Graduate School of Education and the School of Public Administration and Policy.