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More News February 11, 2013

Lecture and musical performance will show the evolution of the instrument from its African roots to contemporary times

By Ross French

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) — Master banjo player and historian Curtis Wright will explore the historical roots of the instrument and other African-derived elements in bluegrass music in a special performance on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 12 noon in room 240 of the Orbach Science Library at the University of California, Riverside.

The performance, titled “The African-American Banjo: A Musical Journey from Slavery to Contemporary Times” is sponsored by the Librarians Association of UCR and is a part of the campus’ celebration of Black History Month throughout February.

“Curtis is a wonderful musician. I take any opportunity I can to hear him play” said Christina R. Cicchetti, reference  and educational services librarian and the organizer of the event. “It is a real privilege to share his talent with the campus community. He is particularly knowledgeable on the history of the banjo and its African roots. This event will be both a fun and informative opportunity to celebrate Black History Month.”

Wright’s appearance is a combination lecture and musical performance that traces the origins of the banjo from its roots in Africa as the West African kora, through its evolution from a handmade instrument made and used by African-American slaves to its current position as a mainstay instrument in country, folk, traditional and bluegrass music.

The predecessor of today’s banjo traveled to North America with slaves brought from Africa.

In a career that spans nearly four decades, Wright has worked as a professional cowboy, educator and is currently a circuit pastor as well as an in-demand musician, having performed with Buck Page and the Riders of the Purple Sage, the Frank Wakefield Band and Jimmy Collier. In addition to the banjo, Wright plays violin, mandolin, harmonica, guitar and the Indian flute.

The event is free and open to the public. Metered visitor parking is available in Lot 10 or a parking permit may be purchased at the parking kiosk near University Avenue.

Wright’s appearance is one of several events being held throughout the month of February in celebration of Black History Month at UCR.

More News May 12, 2017

UCR Library is presenting a pop-up exhibition about the historical roots of Harry Potter.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” And, it is with pleasure that the UCR Library Special Collections has chosen to present Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine an exhibition at the Rivera Library from Monday, May 15 to Saturday, June 23.

This traveling exhibition was originally developed and produced by the Exhibition Program at the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, and curated by Elizabeth J. Bland. The exhibit panels explore Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science, and the ethical questions that effected not only the wizards of Harry Potter, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series.

As a complement to the traveling exhibition, also showcased will be selections from the UCR Library’s Special Collections 16^th to 19^th century original illustrated materials related to magic, witchcraft, herbal medicine, magical creatures and fantastic beasts.  Included are some of the foundational works which serve as sources for Harry Potter’s magical world of wonder and wizarding.  

“These early illustrated printed materials are crucial in their ability to transmit a wide body of knowledge about science and medicine over a broad geographical expanse. For example, one of the works on display will be Gerard’s Herbal, printed in London in 1597. It’s the first work to record and describe American plants, and it also includes early printed images and descriptions of deadly Nightshade and Mandrake, both of which figure prominently in the Potter novels,” noted Cherry Williams, the UCR Library’s Director of Distinctive Collections.  The Special Collections display will also include Ulisse Aldrovandi’s illustrated work on the history of dragons and serpents printed in 1640 in Bologna Italy.

In 1997, British author J. K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. Millions of readers have followed Harry to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals, and perfects his magical abilities.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Although it is a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science - including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, …Incorporating the work of several 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, the … series examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power.”

Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine will be located in the Special Collections Department located on the fourth floor of the Rivera Library – which is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the pop-up exhibition, please visit the UCR Library’s Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine exhibition event website.

More News April 13, 2018

Riverside, Calif (ucr.edu): On Thursday, May 10, NASA Astronomer Trina L. Ray will give a presentation at UC Riverside, “Cassini’s Legacy: Saturn’s Secrets Revealed.”

Ray will highlight the most exciting discoveries of NASA’s 20-year mission to Saturn, which ended with the Grand Finale on September 15, 2017. The talk will provide an overview of the questions the Cassini mission has answered (and will continue to generate) about the planet Saturn, its magnetosphere and spectacular rings, and Titan and the other icy moons.

• Date: Thursday, May 10
• Time: 4-5 p.m.
• Location: HUB 269
• RSVP: https://trinaray-ucr.eventbrite.com

The international Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was launched on October 15, 1997 and entered orbit around Saturn on June 30, 2004. The 23-foot tall, 14-foot wide, 6-ton spacecraft was the largest most sophisticated outer planet spacecraft ever built. Its key discoveries included liquid methane seas on Titan, and the global ocean with indications of hydrothermal activity within the moon Enceladus. Even in its last moments Cassini added to the massive amount of data it had collected.

This program is cosponsored by UCR Library and the Librarians Association of the University of California - Riverside Division (LAUC-R).

About the presenter: Trina L. Ray is an astronomer at NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she started her career with a bang – working on the Voyager Neptune Encounter in August of 1989. A few years ago she accepted the position of Cassini Science Planning and Sequencing Team Deputy, the team that coordinated all the science and uplinked the final sequences to Cassini, and focused on the exciting end of mission planning. Trina received her Bachelor's degree in Physics from CSUN and her master's degree in Astronomy from San Diego State University. Trina has received numerous awards, including a NASA medal for Exceptional Service, and she is an active public speaker for NASA, invited to give many talks around the nation.

More News May 15, 2025

De-Stress at Rivera & Orbach Libraries During Finals

The UCR Library's Finals Week Stress Relief is back, Monday, June 2 - Thursday, June 12. This quarter, we have craft events, food giveaways, contests, and more! Our partners this quarter are The Well's Active Minds, Basic Needs, and the ARC!

Please note: Only currently enrolled UCR students are able to participate in Finals Week Stress Relief events (undergraduate AND graduate students). 

Spring 2025 Finals Week Stress Relief Event Series

Instagram Contests

• Mon., June 2 - Fri., June 6  |  Follow us on Instagram and comment on our daily contest posts for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card. Winners will be chosen at random.

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MONDAY, JUNE 2

• Sand Art Event
  • 2 - 3 p.m.  |  Rivera |  *While supplies last  |  We have bottles and sand for you to make your sand art!

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TUESDAY, JUNE 3

• DONUT Give Up: Donut Giveaway
  • 11 a.m.  |  Orbach  |  *While supplies last  |  Grab a glazed or chocolate glazed donut!
• Bingo
  • 2 - 3 p.m.  |  Orbach  |  *5 Winners receive an Amazon gift card

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

• Spin It to Win It
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.  |  Rivera  |  *While supplies last  |  Spin the wheel and answer a trivia question for prizes!
• Tote-tastic Tote Bag Decorating
  • 2 - 3 p.m.  |  Orbach  |  *While supplies last  |  We have tote bags, paint pens, and markers. Keep the tote bag you decorate!

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THURSDAY, JUNE 5

• Therapy Fluffies with The Well's Active Minds
  • Noon - 2 p.m.  |  Rivera & Orbach  | Please note, cats and dogs will be in Rivera. Orbach will only have dogs. 
• Make Your Own Beaded Animal Keychain
  • 2 - 3 p.m.  |  Rivera  |  *While supplies last

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FRIDAY, JUNE 6

• Finger Painting
  • 1 - 2 p.m.  |  Orbach |  *While supplies last  |  We're supplying the paint and paper for your finger painting creations!

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SUNDAY, JUNE 8

• R'Finals Study Jam (Tutoring) with The Academic Resource Center (The ARC)  
  • 4 - 8 p.m.  |  Orbach  

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MONDAY, JUNE 9

• Corn Kick: Esquites Giveaway
  • 2 p.m.  |  Orbach  |  *While supplies last

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TUESDAY, JUNE 10

• Boba Boost: Boba Giveaway
  • 11 a.m.  |  Rivera |  *While supplies last
• Virtual Kahoot! 
  • 2 p.m.  |  RSVP on Eventbrite to save your seat. Play via Zoom to win an Amazon gift card. 

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11

• R'Pantry Pop-Up Food Giveaway with Basic Needs
  • Noon  |  Orbach  |  *While supplies last

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THURSDAY, JUNE 12

• Throwback Thursday: Lunchable Giveaway
  • 2 p.m.  |  Rivera & Orbach  |  *While supplies last  |  Grab a Lunchable, Gogurt, and Capri Sun!

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Virtual Stress Relief Activities

Need virtual stress-reducing activities now? Our FWSR committee has curated a list of activities and services available remotely through online platforms that you can enjoy all quarter long! Visit our Virtual Stress Relief Activities page for more information. 

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Library Finals Week Hours

Study 24 hours in Orbach from 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 5 through 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13

During Study Hall, Orbach Library will be open for studying, scanning, and printing, including the use of public computers. The borrowing of materials and equipment (reserves, books, calculators, and/or chargers) will NOT be available during Study Hall.

Thursday, June 5
Service hours for Rivera & Orbach: 7:30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Study Hall for Orbach Library: 12 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Friday, June 6
Service hours for Rivera & Orbach: 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Study Hall for Orbach Library: 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Saturday, June 7
Service hours for Rivera & Orbach: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Study Hall for Orbach Library: 10 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, June 8
Service hours for Rivera & Orbach: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Study Hall for Orbach Library: 9 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Monday, June 9 - Thursday, June 12
Service hours for Rivera & Orbach: 7:30 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Study Hall for Orbach Library: 12 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.  

Friday, June 13
Hours for both libraries: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Orbach ends 24-hour Study Hall)

More News February 02, 2021

When Class of 2019 alumnus Matthew Diep first enrolled at UC Riverside to double-major in accounting and public policy, becoming a children's book author was not on his to-do list.

However, a missed opportunity in another campus department led him to apply for a student employee position at the UCR Library, which became the catalyst for a huge shift in Diep’s career and life plans.

“My whole life would have been different if I had gotten that first job,” Diep reflected. “When I was a senior at UCR, my dad passed away. The library was always there for me. They were so supportive. Books were always there for me. You know, books get me through everything.”

In January 2021, Diep self-published his first children’s book (under the pseudonym Matthew Dee) titled, “There’s a Book on That,” which is currently sold through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Book Depository. In his book, Diep wanted to show his young readers all the wonders that books in libraries have to offer.

“When I was a kid, I despised reading,” he admitted. “But the one thing that I did like to read was books that rhymed.” Diep eventually learned to love reading and began writing poems during high school, so he knew that he could rhyme, but he had never written anything like this.

After writing the manuscript last year, Diep saved it in his Google docs and promptly forgot about it. “Then this winter break, I got bored,” he said, which is why he decided to self-publish.

Throughout all 4 years of his undergraduate studies, Diep found himself feeling “miserable but practical” about his decision to focus on accounting. “Toward the end of senior year, I reflected on what would make me happy and what would I enjoy, and I knew I enjoyed working at the library. So I decided to totally switch my career path.” He applied for a Masters program in Library and Information Sciences (MLIS) at San Jose State, and hopes to complete his degree within two years.

He is currently employed part-time with the City of Ontario Library and full-time with the University of Redlands Library, where he supervises student employees in the Access Services department. This reminds him of his former supervisor: “Leslie [Settle] is someone I always think about because she was a great supervisor and she was always there for her students, and that’s what I aspire to be for my students.”

Upon completion of his MLIS, Diep hopes to work in an academic library, perhaps at his alma mater. He has ideas for more children’s books, as well. In the meantime, he is focused on marketing his first book and getting it onto the shelves of as many libraries as possible. “I do want to see it with the little call number and everything,” he said.

Diep's endeavors have been met with overwhelming support from his family and friends on social media, though interested libraries should move quickly, he said. “The hard copy is already out-of-stock on Amazon.”

Fortunately, the UCR Library has already ordered a copy of “There’s a Book on That,” which will soon sit proudly alongside its counterparts in the library's juvenile collection.

Supportive Highlanders can follow their classmate at matthewdeebooks.com.

More News March 12, 2018

This past quarter, Public Services Assistant Zayda Delgado received word that she had received a scholarship from the National Endowment for the Humanities-Global Book Histories Initiative (NEH-GBHI) to attend Rare Book School at Amherst College during summer 2018.

Rare Book School (RBS) is an independent institute housed at the University of Virginia that provides continuing education and community-building opportunities through hands-on, seminar-style classes taught by distinguished faculty.

At RBS, Delgado will take a course called A History of Native American Books & Indigenous Sovereignty.

Delgado applied to the program for personal and professional development, but also with the purpose of sharing her knowledge here at UCR. “We have a significant collection of Native American books, particularly on California’s first people,” she explained.

“This award presents an opportunity for Zayda to develop her skill sets in culturally diverse book collections,” said Tiffany Moxham, Assistant University Librarian for Collections. “It also ties into our initiatives to support the documentation and research support of our local communities, which are manifested in such initiatives as Inland Empire Memories.”

This will be Delgado’s second time attending Rare Book School. She first received a fellowship in 2016, along with a group of 20 fellows. That year, she took the course History of the Book 200-2000, which was taught jointly by John Buchtel, Director of the Booth Family Center for Special Collections at Georgetown University and Mark Dimunation, the Chief of Rare Books at the Library of Congress. “He gave us a behind-the-scenes tour,” Delgado said. “I got to hold the rarest and most precious materials that they have at the Library of Congress.”

Traditionally, scholarships are reserved for those who have not previously attended Rare Book School. Coordinator of Scholarships Danielle Culpeper encouraged Delgado’s group to apply for the NEH-GBHI fellowship because it was open to people who had attended RBS before.

“It’s just so fun, the opportunity to go back to RBS. It’s like a summer camp for people who really love books,” Delgado explained. “From the time you wake up in the morning until the time you go to bed at night, you’re learning something new every minute. It’s really exciting for me, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

More News February 24, 2022

More News March 26, 2018

When the Creat’R Lab first opened its doors in April 2017, it was touted as a space for creative collaboration between students and faculty from all different disciplines.

Members of UCR’s student Cosplay Brigade have spent the past year doing precisely that as they've been preparing for the second annual Geek On event, which will take place May 6, 2018 at UCR's Highlander Union Building (HUB). Cosplay is an activity in which participants dress up or wear accessories to represent specific characters or genres.

Geek On is a collaborative event produced by several student organizations at the University of California, Riverside – nicknamed “Geek Union” by club members, including Cosplay Brigade, Greenwood Film Society (also known as Anime Club), and Secret Sword & Sorcery Society (tabletop gaming club).

Cosplay Brigade president Yan “Winnie” Lai was ecstatic when she found out that the Creat’R Lab was open to non-engineering students. “We got so excited because nobody ever listens to us, nobody ever helped us,” explained Lai, a History major. “The library was the first place on campus to listen to us.”

Creat’R Lab has hosted Cosplay Brigade workshops each month on topics ranging from foam fabrication, sewing, costume and prop making, and more. They plan to showcase many of this year’s creations at the Creat’R Lab Anniversary Showcase on Thursday, May 3, and also at Geek On.

Economics major Robert Garcia of the Secret Sword & Sorcery Society was excited that 3D printing was made available to non-engineering majors as members of his club prepared for Geek On. “Miniatures are what we use as a table-top role-playing organization. Each person has a mini representing their character and we can start using the Creat’R Lab to make our own. And lots of other clubs would be interested in learning how to do 3D modeling, 3D printing.”

“Geek Union could work more closely with the Creat’R Lab. Other, bigger clubs like IEEE have their own room, but since we don’t, it could help a lot,” explained John Berba, a recent graduate in Political Science and International Affairs and member of the Greenwood Film Society (Anime Club).

The collaborators also view Geek On as an excellent way to entice prospective students to choose UCR. “When you see something that you really like and that there’s a club that’s specifically dedicated to that, you get really excited about that,” Lai explained.

Fellow Cosplay Brigade member and Bioengineering major Jocelyn “Josh” Kiyama agreed, “I remember coming into orientation and Highlander Day, and when I found these clubs, I felt like, ‘Why didn’t I find them sooner?’”

Lai concluded, “Maybe with the library’s example, we can convince other campus organizations to throw us a bone and let us run some of the things that we’re passionate about. These events have the potential to get so big that UCR could become known for it.”

Registration is open for the Creat’R Lab Anniversary Showcase and also for Geek On. Both events are free to attend.

More News July 27, 2021

After four years of staff collaboration between all ten UC campuses, we are thrilled to announce that UC Library Search is now live!

Today’s launch is just the beginning; UC Library Search will continue to evolve, refine, and improve its user experience (UX) and function over time.

UC Library Search has replaced the local UCR Library catalog and Melvyl. Patrons can now use this robust and cohesive discovery tool to find resources at UC Riverside and from all other UC campus libraries, plus collections from beyond the UC system. As University of California President Drake wrote, UC Library Search will also seamlessly connect users with digitally available journals, books, and library databases.

Patrons can more easily borrow materials from other UC campuses, and UC Library Search allows them to choose the nearest UC campus from which to pick up and return circulated materials.

In addition to greater ease in finding and borrowing materials for patrons, UC Library Search will help library staff to improve our customer service. Analytics about the diversity and use patterns of the UC Libraries’ resources will facilitate future collection strategy decisions that are data-informed, inclusive, and patron-centered.

What has not changed

Library accounts: Your existing library account has automatically become active in UC Library Search.

Changes to note

To request items not available at the UCR Library, first sign in to UC Library Search with your NetID and password through UCR’s Central Authentication System (CAS), then find the item you want. From the item listing, click on “Request through Interlibrary Loan” in the “Get It” section. (This replaces the “Request” button from in Melvyl and the “InterLibrary Request” feature from the old UCR Library catalog.)

Once signed into UC Library Search, you no longer have to type in your library card number. Additionally, you will be able to choose any UC campus library as your preferred pickup and return location for resource sharing material.

Digitization requests

If the UCR Library holds a local copy of an article or book chapter that you want digitized, request by clicking on “Article/Chapter Scan.” If UCR does not own a copy, then select the “Request through Interlibrary Loan” option to request a digital copy reproduction from another institution.

has replaced

To request articles found in a library database, you will use the new “Get it at UC” button, which will appear in place of UC-eLinks. When you click on the “Get it at UC” button, you will find the full text of the article (log in through VPN if not on campus). You can also make an interlibrary loan request using the “Request Through Interlibrary Loan” link.

Check out this resource developed to support UC Library Search.

More information about UC Library Search, including previous announcements, can be found here.

We have tried our best to anticipate all possible issues with UC Library Search. However, if you encounter anything that has slipped our notice, please let us know through this form.

If you have additional questions, visit the UC Library Search FAQ or contact Tiffany Moxham, Associate University Librarian for Content and Discovery.