More News October 16, 2017

As the first person in his entire family to attend college, Carlos Rodriguez ’90 was a true pioneer when he arrived at UC Riverside for orientation in 1985.

“Since then everyone has followed me,” Rodriguez said. After he blazed the trail, both of his sisters went to college and graduate school. “All my cousins have gone on to college, as well, all the younger ones.”

As his career clearly demonstrates, there’s no wonder that forging new paths in uncharted territory comes so naturally to Rodriguez. From pioneering work with early internet databases and ejournals in the mid-1990s at UCR, to reimagining library learning environments for an enhanced student experience at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, to his current role as the Dean of the University Library at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), Rodriguez continues to chase the horizon.

Originally a pre-engineering major, Rodriguez came to UCR planning to transfer after two years to either UCLA or UC Santa Barbara.

He began working in the library as a student employee shelving books. “Back in the 80s, people checked out books,” he laughed.

Having developed a strong peer network and relationships with faculty and staff, Rodriguez ended up changing his major and staying at UCR instead of transferring. It wasn’t until an internship with a credit union that he realized he preferred a culture of learning and service-based organization over a traditional corporate environment, and so his career in higher education and libraries was born. “I wasn’t in it for the money. I was in it to help other people,” he said.

As he approached graduation, Rodriguez realized he might enjoy a permanent career in the library. During his senior year, he transitioned from a student employee position into a part-time staff role, which is when he met two influential mentors, librarians Nancy Huling and the late John Tanno.

In Rodriguez’s first year as a science librarian, Tanno nominated him for a leadership and career development program for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority librarians with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). “John was really supportive of diversity. There wasn’t a lot of diversity back then,” Rodriguez said. “He saw leadership potential in me early on.”

Rodriguez credits the small, tight-knit community at UCR for advancement opportunities like this. “If I had been a student assistant at UCLA, I probably wouldn’t have had the same opportunities that I had at UCR,” he said.

Ultimately, Rodriguez went on to get his Masters in Library and Information Science from UCLA. He came back to UCR as a Science Librarian before advancing through a variety of library positions, including the Associate Dean of Technology and Information Services at Grand Valley State.

Rodriguez helped the library at Grand Valley State shift from being library-centric and collection-centric to learner-centric. “Every decision we made, we asked ourselves, ‘Does this benefit the learner?’ The reason we’re here is for our students. We need to meet their needs.”

From Grand Valley State, Rodriguez returned to California to serve as the Dean of the University Library at Cal State LA. One of his goals at CSULA has been to transform the library’s physical space to make it less intimidating for their diverse, predominantly first-generation student population. “We’re changing the perception from ‘you’re visiting the library’ to ‘this is your library, and you own this space,’” Rodriguez explained.

In Rodriguez’s opinion, the library plays an active role in student success, research, faculty partnerships, and community engagement. “Libraries can provide opportunities for people to learn, grow, discover, create, and really transform how they see the world,” he said. “Libraries are probably one of the most important institutions at universities to do that.”

Another vision turned reality is the creation of an Academic Success Center, which is the cornerstone of Rodriguez’s capital improvement strategy for the Cal State LA Library. He plans to design a physical space around a suite of student services with a central student-led concierge to direct users toward the best solution for their needs.

What’s next for this innovative thinker? “I’m happy where I’m at now, but UCR is the only other place that I’d want to work at because of the students and what they’re doing. It’s a place I’d like to return to one day.”

The UCR Library is committed to enhancing the student learning experience, which includes supporting the professional development and advancement of our student employees. This article is the first in a series of stories following the success of former UCR Library student employees. We are incredibly proud of the alumni talent that was cultivated here, at the UCR Library. 

More News April 19, 2017

On Tuesday, April 18, 2017, the UCR Library and the Office of Research and Economic Development (RED) opened the Creat’R Lab to a standing-room only crowd of more than 150 excited students, faculty, and staff in the Orbach Science Library.

Key UCR leadership including Chancellor Kim Wilcox, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Economic Development Michael Pazzani and University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble stood shoulder-to-shoulder with students from organizations including IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers), and the Cosplay Brigade, among others. The students were eagerly awaiting the chance to use the space for hands-on experimentation, learning and making for electronics, prototyping, sewing, 3D scanning and printing, and more.

“It’s is a great, great day for UCR,” announced Chancellor Kim Wilcox. “When I think about Creat’R Lab, I think about tools and the connection between ability and opportunity. We have a lot of people on the campus with all kinds of talent, and now we have some tools.”

Second-year electrical engineering student Gustavo Correa shared in his welcome comments that he had wanted to establish a makerspace on campus in fall quarter 2016, but then Jeff McDaniel, a Lecturer in the Bourns College of Engineering and a member of the Creat’R Lab development team, invited Correa to get involved with the Creat’R Lab.

Describing the conception of and intention behind the Creat’R Lab, Correa said, “[It] is designed to be a safe learning environment for students from all majors, from all backgrounds, from all technical levels… to introduce to students the current technologies that exist, that engineers and everyone are using to solve real-world problems, to create projects, and to express themselves creatively.”

“What really makes me excited right now is to see the collaboration of the students, of the staff really working together to accelerate the learning and the opportunities that the students have and that the student organizations can provide,” said Jeff McDaniel. “We have lots of workshops, we have lots of activities going on. But really, this space is about the students. This is for the students, for the faculty, and the students inside of the faculty (because we never stop learning) – and for everybody that’s always learning – to use this space to experiment, to make things, to create things, to start a company.”

Michalis Faloutsos, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering and the Director of Entrepreneurship for UC Riverside remarked on the symbiotic relationship that will exist between the Creat’R Lab, EPIC (Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center), and the ExCITE Incubator to support entrepreneurial endeavors at UC Riverside.

Reflecting on the selection of the name “Creat’R Lab,” Vice Chancellor Michael Pazzani commented, “This could have been called ‘makerspace,’ but making is routine. What we really want people (to do) here is to create something new, things that no one has done before. And that’s really where innovation and entrepreneurship comes from.”

“That’s why I wanted to see something like this here in the library,” added University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble. “Libraries have always been about connecting people and ideas and creating opportunities for people to create new knowledge, to collaborate, test ideas, and this couldn’t be a more perfect opportunity to do that. We can bring students and faculty from all over campus… and let you play.”

In closing, Mandeville-Gamble imparted the following tips to Creat’R Lab users:

”Go out and collaborate. Make mistakes. If we don’t make mistakes, if we’re not willing to take risks and make mistakes, we’re not going to learn. Play… I don’t mean play just to while away the time. I mean play to create and learn and get excited and figure out new things that no one else has thought about before. This space is to dream, to allow you to dream about things you want to do that you might not have thought possible. And finally, explore. This space is for you, the students and faculty, to explore the world through art, through objects, through new technologies, new methodologies.”

If the launch event crowd size was any indication of future student demand on the Creat’R Lab, the UCR Library may need to expand beyond the three rooms it currently occupies (Orbach Science Library, rooms 140, 144, and 145), both in terms of space and in terms of the equipment available for use.

Those who are interested in using the space, or hosting or attending a workshop can find more information on the library’s Creat’R Lab page.

More News September 26, 2024

We launched a new study room reservation system this summer.

Our new system incorporates features that will make reserving a study room easier than ever:

• Quickly find what you need with a more intuitive interface.
• Easily identify available study and media rooms.
• Conveniently bounce between Orbach rooms and Rivera rooms to see all available spaces.
• Add room reservations to your personal calendar from your reservation confirmation email.
• Please Note: One important change to be aware of is that text message updates about your reservations are not currently available. We encourage you to check your reservation details via email at your R’Mail (UCR) email address.

You’ll be able to access our new study room reservation system through the updated Study Spaces page on our website. Use your single-sign-on/R’Mail details to log in and reserve a room!

Need help booking a room? View our step-by-step directions below. Tap right to go to the next slide.

Still need help? Check out our video guide below!

More News July 14, 2018

The launch of the UCR Library’s new catalog, originally planned for July 16, has been temporarily delayed.

Please continue to use the UCR catalog as usual. We will update you with the new launch date as soon as possible.

Due to the transition, new holds, recalls and paging will only be available after the launch.

We truly appreciate your patience and thank you for your understanding.

More News November 03, 2016

UCR Library is pleased to welcome a new Business Librarian Swati Bhattacharyya to the Rivera Reference team.

Swati joins us from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, where she has led the business school’s library since 1994. She holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in information studies and technology from Syracuse University, a Master’s degree in computer applications from Indira Gandhi National Open University, and an Associateship in documentation and information science from the Indian Statistical Institute.

Swati’s primary responsibilities will be to liaise with students and faculty in the School of Business and Anderson Graduate School of Management, serve as the subject specialist for business and economics, and participate in the ongoing projects and services of Rivera Reference.

More News December 09, 2019

Beginning in January 2020, the library will adopt a new maximum cumulative fine for all reserve and recall fines.

Previously, the maximum for cumulative fines was $100, whereafter a hold was placed on your library account that blocked all borrowing privileges, including Interlibrary Loan and Course Reserves.

In 2020, the new maximum will be $20, after which all borrowing privileges will be suspended until your account is paid in full.

The library has opted to reduce the maximum fine from $100 to $20 so that it’s easier for patrons to clear their accounts and reinstate borrowing privileges quickly by keeping the balance lower.

If you currently have accrued cumulative fines from $20 to $99 on your account, library staff will contact you to guide you through this new billing process, so that you can clear your account before January 6, 2020 and prevent your privileges from being blocked.

Additionally, accounts with any fines that remain unpaid 30 days after the assessment date will have borrowing privileges suspended until the fines are paid in full.

To avoid loss of service, please pay your fines promptly. Check your account online to see if you have a balance due. You can pay fees online or appeal your bill, if you believe you received a fine in error. Please refer to our Fines & Fees policy.

If you have any questions, please contact library-billing@ucr.edu. Services may be blocked while awaiting a reply. Staff will respond within 24 hours. (During holidays and closed days response time will be 1-3 days.)

 

More News June 14, 2024

We're excited to share that the UCR Library has a new study room reservation system effective Monday, June 17!

Our new system incorporates features that will make reserving a study room easier than ever:

• Quickly find what you need with a more intuitive interface.
• Easily identify available study and media rooms.
• Conveniently bounce between Orbach rooms and Rivera rooms to see all available spaces.
• Add room reservations to your personal calendar from your reservation confirmation email.

Please Note: One important change to be aware of is that text message updates about your reservations are not currently available. We encourage you to check your reservation details via email at your R’Mail (UCR) email address.

You’ll be able to access our new study room reservation system through the updated Study Spaces page on our website. Use your single-sign-on/R’Mail details to log in and reserve a room!

More News June 14, 2019

The UCR Library is pleased to announce a new Fines & Fees structure that will greatly benefit both the library and its patrons, effective July 1, 2019.

We are eliminating all processing fees ($10 per transaction) and campus late payment penalty charges ($25 per month), as the UCR Library now will handle all payments directly through its own secure online portal starting on July 1. By handling payments for fines and fees directly, the library has developed a quick and efficient process that takes your time into consideration.

In general, you will notice a reduction in short-term Reserve Fines and Recall Fines, which will benefit the vast majority of patrons.

Effective July 1, 2019, the library’s new Fine & Fee structure will be:

• Reserve Fines: $10 per hour
• Recall Fines: $2 per day
• Replacement Fees: Due to an increase in the average cost of books and collection materials, this fee will increase from $75 to $100 per item.

Additionally, the UCR Library is offering a Replacement Fees Amnesty Period from June 17 - 30, 2019.

Please log into your secure UCR Library account portal to see whether you have any outstanding balances due.

Should you have any questions about your account, please contact  library-billing@ucr.edu.

More News July 17, 2018

The Library has a new launch date for the new catalog and search interface: Saturday, July 21.

You may have noticed that we had to delay the launch due to unforeseen issues with data migration. Below are the pertinent dates regarding the transition.

The following service alerts are in effect:

• Thursday, July 12 to Saturday, July 21:

No new holds, recalls or paging will be available until the catalog has launched on Saturday, July 21. 

• Friday, July 20: limited circulation services*

*Limited circulation means checkouts and returns.

• Saturday, July 21 at 10 a.m.: Catalog launch

On July 21, we will be able to establish new user accounts, see what’s on hold, and provide information regarding overdue items.

We have tried our best to anticipate all possible issues with the new system. However, if you run across anything that has slipped our notice, please email us at library@ucr.edu or use the comment form on the library website.

This new library catalog offers more intuitive ways for you to discover new content, including:

• Combined access to both print materials and online licensed e-resources
• Easy-to-tailor search results using content filters in the left sidebar
• Book and journal cover image previews
• Table of contents previews

Again, we truly appreciate your patience and thank you for your understanding during this important transition!

More News August 01, 2016

Janet Reyes is our new Geospatial Information Librarian for the UCR Library.

Janet spent her professional career creating or using a variety of geographic data. Prior to coming to UC Riverside, the bulk of her career was spent at Aerial Information Systems Inc. (AIS), an environmental consulting firm in Redlands, California that specializes in geospatial data development. Among her duties at AIS were photointerpretation of land use and vegetation; compiling various types of geographic data into geographic information systems (GIS); project management; quality control; data assessment; and report writing. Many of the projects completed by AIS covered portions of the Inland Empire or southern California, and some were performed as a subcontractor to the GIS software giant Esri.

Janet also has experience as a planner handling mapping projects and demographic data for the San Bernardino County Planning Department, and she worked for Rome Research Corporation as a photointerpreter.

She holds a BS in natural resources from Cornell University and an MS in physical geography from Oregon State University, where she worked in the Environmental Remote Sensing Applications Laboratory.

In her new role, Janet looks forward to connecting UCR community members to the geospatial information they need.