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Celebrating our Class of 2020 library student employees
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!”
Spring UCR Library Workshops & Events
Join the UCR Library this spring for a variety of free workshops and events where you can learn new skills for free!
Attend our general workshops to build foundational research and data skills and learn how you can incorporate AI into your research and study. This quarter, we’re excited to feature our special Maker Week events featuring speakers Garner Holt and Reza Aslan plus workshops for hands-on creation. We're also hosting our regular GIS & Digital Scholarship Meetup events for ongoing casual learning.
Browse the full schedule below to find the right workshop/event for your goals and register for free.
Spring 2026 UCR Library Workshops |
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Research & Data Science Series |
Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Join us to learn the basics of Python in a beginner-friendly environment. This workshop will guide you through the syntax, or "grammar", of coding. By the end, you’ll be able to write your first "Hello World" program, understand the logic behind the code, and have the resources needed to continue your learning journey at home. |
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AI 101 for Research: From AI Chatbot to AI Agent AI Tools Series |
Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 3:30p to 4:30p |
This workshop explores current AI trends and the underlying mechanics of various AI tools for research. Participants will learn how to leverage these technologies for their research and discover the specific AI platforms currently offered by UCR to support diverse research tasks. |
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AI Tools Series |
Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
This hands-on workshop explores the versatile features of NotebookLM to transform how you interact with academic readings. We will dive into core features including Audio Overviews, and learn how to leverage AI to generate structured content for slide decks, video scripts, mindmaps, quizzes, and infographics. |
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Friday, April 17, 2026 from 2p to 3:30p |
Join us to learn the basics of research in a unique, gamified environment! This workshop applies game thinking to the research process, turning the development of search strategies and keywords into a series of interactive challenges, designed like your favorite RPG. |
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Exploring Literature Mapping Tools AI Tools Series |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 3p to 4p |
This workshop breaks down the literature review process into manageable steps, from understanding the core concept to identifying different types of reviews. We will dive into undergraduate-friendly mapping tools that help you visualize how papers connect, and introduce the new Google Scholar Lab to streamline your discovery process. |
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Building Your Academic Profile Online Digital Scholarship Certificate Program |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 11a to 12p |
This workshop is part of the Digital Scholarship Certificate Program. The workshop offers practical advice on how to strengthen your online scholarly presence using platforms, including ORCID, Google Scholar, and institutional open access repositories. |
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Using Zotero for Citation Management Citation Series |
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool that assists in gathering, organizing, and integrating sources into research papers. This workshop will introduce some of the key functions of Zotero, including creating libraries and importing and organizing citations from a variety of locations. |
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Finding and Using Imagery in a GIS Geospatial Series |
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Are you new to using imagery in a GIS? This workshop will cover imagery characteristics, where to search for historical and recent aerial imagery and how to bring imagery into a GIS. It will also provide a high-level review of methods for extracting information from imagery. |
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Navigating OA Repositories & Publishing Digital Scholarship Certificate Program |
Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 11a to 12p |
This workshop is part of the Digital Scholarship Certificate. The workshop introduces the landscape of open access repositories and publishing with a special focus on eScholarship, the University of California's open access repository and publishing platform. You'll learn how to deposit your work in open access repositories, understand your rights as an author, and choose the right repository for different types of research outputs, from articles and preprints to datasets and code. |
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Data Cleaning for Machine Learning w/Python AI Development Series |
Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Join us to learn how to transform raw datasets into clean, machine-learning-ready data. This workshop will guide you through the essentials of key libraries for data manipulation. By the end, you’ll be able to load messy files, understand the structure of a DataFrame, and produce the high-quality, structured data required to train effective predictive models. |
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Creat’R Lab Series |
Monday, May 4, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Join us this May the 4th for a hands-on workshop where we bridge the gap between imagination and reality. Whether you’re a Padawan to 3D modeling or a seasoned Knight, you’ll learn how to use Autodesk Fusion to design a custom LEGO lightsaber hilt. No prior experience with Fusion is required—just bring your creativity and a passion for the Galaxy Far, Far Away. Space is limited, so grab your spot before they vanish into hyperspace! |
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Computational Methods on Text Analysis Digital Scholarship Series |
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 11a to 12p |
This workshop introduces three computational text analysis methods—topic modeling, sentiment analysis, and the use of LIWC-22 (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count)—along with an introduction to web scraping for building custom text datasets. You’ll learn how researchers and practitioners use these tools to analyze patterns across corpora, from interviews and social media texts to archival documents. |
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Introduction to Gemini API: How to customize AI models AI Tools Series |
Monday, May 11, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
As a researcher, you may wish to extend AI models for your specific projects rather than relying on standard chatbots or fixed interfaces. This guide introduces how to use Gemini API keys in alignment with UCR data security guidance and explores key research use cases for the API. |
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AI Tools Series |
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 10a to 11:30a |
This workshop dives deep into the current AI LLM benchmark landscape, examining use cases for both academic research and learning. Participants will review recent top benchmarks against the current top global LLM models, including both Western and open-source Chinese models, exploring various models' unique affordances, strengths, and limitations. The session will be valuable for researchers at all levels — students, faculty, and staff — who want to make informed decisions about which models to integrate into their research and learning workflows. |
Maker Week (April 20 - 24) Workshops/Events & the May 1 Maker Faire Competition |
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About Maker Week 2026: From sketching ideas and wiring electronics to 3D printing and crafting a compelling story, gain the tools, techniques, and confidence to take an idea from concept to reality! Learn more at library.ucr.edu/makerweek2026. |
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Keynote from Animatronics Maker Week Series |
Monday, April 20, 2026 from 1p to 2p |
Hear from local businessman Garner Holt on how he forged an animatronic business for the southern California region. What happens when a high school student follows his passion and builds it into a company that reaches millions? Join us for the Maker Week 2026 Keynote featuring Garner Holt, founder of Garner Holt Productions. Since founding his company in 1977, Garner has created animatronic figures and experiences for Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Chuck E. Cheese, and more. Don't miss this inspiring kickoff to Maker Week 2026. |
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Maker Week Series |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 10a to 11a |
Learn how to draw your ideas to help conceptualize ideas and creativity. Have an idea but don't know how to get it out of your head? This hands-on workshop with UCR Library's Sara Stilley will teach you the sketching techniques you need to turn your ideas into clear, visual plans.No art experience required! Just bring your imagination. |
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Storytelling Creative with Reza Aslan Maker Week Series |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 1p to 2p |
Learn how to use creative storytelling to bring your project to life with UCR faculty member, Reza Aslan. Every great prototype needs a great story. In this workshop, Reza Aslan will guide you through the art of creative storytelling, helping you find the purpose, meaning, and narrative behind your idea. Learn how to communicate your prototype's vision in a way that resonates with any audience. |
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Tinkering with Electronics in Prototypes Maker Week Series |
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 10a to 11a |
Learn how to embed electronic circuits with controllers to add personalization to your prototype. Get hands-on with electronics and learn how to build them directly into your prototype. In this workshop, Creat'R Lab Maker Services Coordinator Brendon Wheeler will walk you through how to integrate electronic components into your projects using equipment from the UCR Library Robotics Lab. Learn how, when, and where to use the tools available to you, right here on campus! |
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Iterative Design with 3D CAD Modeling Maker Week Series |
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 1p to 2p |
UCR Library's Innovative Media Librarian Alvaro Alvarez will lead this workshop on 3D modeling and printing, showing you how to design and iterate on a prototype using CAD software and the Creat'R Lab's 3D printers. No prior experience needed. |
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Marketing Practices for Prototypes Maker Week Series |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 9:45a to 10:45a |
Join UCR's Blackstone representative Francis Reyes Aguilar for a practical workshop on marketing strategies that real businesses use to promote their products. Walk away knowing how to position, present, and pitch your prototype to any audience. |
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Designing Prototypes through Sustainable Design Maker Week Series |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
In this workshop, you'll learn how to design and construct prototypes using recycled and sustainable materials. Discover how to think creatively about the resources you already have and apply sustainable design principles to your own ideas. |
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Maker Week Series |
Friday, April 24, 2026 from 10a to 12p |
Learn how to create your own poster that can be used for academic and other related presentations. In this workshop hosted by the UCR Library's Student Success and Engagement Librarian Carrie Cruce, you'll learn the principles of academic poster design, a skill that will serve you at the Maker Faire and throughout your academic career. |
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Closing Ceremony & Learn About the Maker Faire Competition Maker Week Series |
Friday, April 24, 2026 from 1p to 2p |
Drop in for our Closing Ceremony to celebrate the week of workshops, creativity, and prototyping with the UCR Library Creat'R Lab community. You'll also get a full rundown of the Maker Faire Competition happening May 1, including the format of the competition and what judges are looking for. Whether you're ready to compete or just curious, this is the event to attend before competition day. |
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Maker Week Series |
Friday, May 1, 2026 from 1p to 4p |
Show off your prototype project in a Maker Faire competition! Compete for a chance to win prizes such as a 3D printer and AutoCAD book! This is it, the grand finale! Throughout Maker Week, each workshop will give you a prompt and an artifact that contributes to your final project. At the Maker Faire Competition, you'll present your completed prototype science-fair style, alongside the artifacts you built and collected along the way. Judging criteria will be shared at every workshop so you always know what to work toward. Prizes:
All participants receive printing credit redeemable at the UCR Library Creat'R Lab, and every project has a chance to be featured in a future library exhibit. |
First Place — Bambu A1 Mini 3D Printer
Second Place — Mastering AutoCAD Book
Third Place — Blueprinting Book & Multitool Pen
Spring 2026 UCR Library Meetups |
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Description |
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Tuesday, April 7, 2026 from 12p to 12:50p |
High-Resolution Aerial Mapping of the UCR Botanic Gardens by Drone |
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Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 2p to 3p |
Join us for a demonstration of Glycerine, a IIIF-compatible image annotation platform for research, curation, and education. |
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Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 12p to 12:50p |
The PARC Toolkit for Desert Climate Resilience |
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