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Roper iPoll: Our New Resource for Public Opinion Data
The UCR Library is excited to announce our new access to Roper iPoll, a comprehensive database containing public opinion polling data and survey research.
This invaluable resource includes national, state, and foreign surveys on a wide variety of social, political, and cultural topics. Users can explore questions, trends, demographics, and datasets, providing a wealth of information for research and analysis.
Roper iPoll is built on the extensive archive of the Roper Center for Public Opinion and Research. With Roper iPoll, search over 880,000 questions and 25,000 datasets!
We invite the UCR community to explore Roper iPoll and take advantage of this powerful research tool. Make sure to visit the website while logged into the campus VPN or using the campus Wi-Fi.
New open access agreements with IEEE and Nature
The University of California announced two new open access publishing agreements today. The first supports open access publishing with the technical professional organization IEEE, which is among the largest publishers of UC research. The other is an extension of UC’s 2020 agreement with Springer Nature that adds funding support for open access publishing in the prestigious Nature journals; previously only titles in the Springer portfolio were eligible.
About the agreement with IEEE
The four-year agreement with IEEE, effective July 15, 2022 through December 31, 2025, enables UC corresponding authors to publish open access in all IEEE journals, regardless of whether they have research funds available to pay for open access publishing or not.
Authors who have research funds available for open access publishing will pay their own open access fee (known as an article processing charge, or APC). For authors who do not have sufficient funds available to pay the APC, the UC libraries will cover the full cost on their behalf, ensuring that lack of research funds does not present a barrier for UC authors who wish to publish open access in IEEE journals. The agreement also covers overlength page charges for all UC authors regardless of how they choose to publish with IEEE.
The deal also provides UC scholars with reading access to over five million documents from the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, including scientific journals, proceedings, and standards.
For details, see the IEEE agreement FAQ on the UC Office of Scholarly Communication website.
About the agreement with Nature
Beginning August 1, 2022, the UC libraries will automatically pay the first $1,000 of the APC for UC corresponding authors who choose to publish open access in the Nature portfolio of journals, including Nature, the Nature research journals, Nature Communications and Scientific Reports.
The remainder due on each APC for publishing in these journals must be covered by the authors themselves, utilizing research funds available to them. Authors without research funds to pay the remainder of the APC may publish their articles on a subscription basis.
UC authors publishing open access in Springer Nature’s other journals (including Adis, Biomed Central, Palgrave Macmillan, Springer, Springer Open, and hybrid Academic journals on Nature.com) will continue to receive the UC libraries’ automatic $1,000 contribution, as well as the option for full coverage of the APC if they lack research funds for publication.
All aspects of the 2020 Springer Nature agreement, including UC’s reading access to all currently licensed Springer Nature journals, will continue through December 31, 2024.
For details, see the Springer Nature agreement FAQ on the UC Office of Scholarly Communication website.
UC has now secured more than a dozen open access agreements with various publishers, a notable milestone in the University’s effort to make it easier and more affordable for its authors to publish open access. Open access publishing, which makes UC research freely available to the public, is central to UC’s mission as a public university.
New Soundproof Study Rooms in Rivera Library
Recently, our UCR Library facilities team completed the installation of upgrades to five study rooms on the second floor of Tomás Rivera Library, which are designated as the “David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms.”
These improvements were made possible by the generosity of David W. Musso, a UCR Class of 1959 alumnus. During his time at UCR, if Musso wasn’t practicing on the football field, one could find him in the library, where he jokes that he spent most of his academic career. As a result, Musso has fond memories of the library and argues that it is the “heart” of the campus.
The renovations to Study Rooms 206 through 210 took several weeks for Head of Facilities, Dave Schuster, and Senior Building Maintenance Workers Robert Wong and Rocco Berges to complete.
Updated features include new sound-proof carpeting, ceiling tiles, and door sweeps, which allow students to speak at regular volume without their noise negatively impacting students in neighboring study rooms. “The sound-proofing is really good,” commented Wong. “We actually took decibel measurements to make sure it was working.”
Additionally, all of the David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms have Idea Paint, which allows students to write directly onto one designated “Idea Wall”; a basket of dry-erase markers and erasers for brainstorming on the Idea Wall; and 32-inch flat screen TVs with HDMI, VGA, and audio connectors to foster group collaboration. Each room has also been freshly repainted and cleaned.
Additionally, Room 206 also has Idea Paint on the table surface, as well as on the Idea Wall itself.
Room 210 has seating for six people; Rooms 206, 207, and 209 can accommodate up to eight people; and Room 208 has seats for 12 students.
Beginning in August 2017, patrons will be able to reserve the David W. Musso Quiet Study Rooms through the library website.
University Librarian Steven Mandeville-Gamble recently confirmed that an additional five quiet group study rooms will be added in the near future, thanks to Mr. Musso's continued support.
If you are interested in supporting the UCR Library, please contact Clyde Derrick, Director of Development.
More about our benefactor:
Currently a resident of San Jose, David W. Musso was born and raised in Moreno Valley, California. While enrolled at UC Riverside, Musso belonged to the football team, Big “C” Society, German Club, and served as the ASUCR Treasurer. After graduating in 1959 with a degree in Physical Sciences - Mathematics, Musso served in the US Army. In 1960, he received an award for the highest grade in a computer programming course across the entire Army. He later earned his MBA from the University of Arizona and then spent more than 30 years working for IBM, where he specialized in the IBM 709 computer, before retiring in 1997.
Dr. Phoenix Alexander named new Science Fiction Librarian
The UCR Library is delighted to announce Dr. Phoenix Alexander will serve as the UCR Library’s new Jay Kay Klein and Doris Klein Science Fiction Librarian beginning August 1.
As the Jay Kay Klein and Doris Klein Science Fiction Librarian, Dr. Alexander will be responsible for the development, stewardship, and promotion of the Eaton Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy — one of the world's largest, richest, and deepest collections of science fiction, fantasy, horror, utopian literature, and related genres.
Dr. Alexander currently serves as the Science Fiction Collections Librarian at the University of Liverpool, Special Collections and Archives where he manages the largest collection of cataloged science fiction in Europe.
Prior to his work at the University of Liverpool, Phoenix completed his Ph.D. in the departments of English and African American Studies at Yale and worked as a curatorial assistant at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library for three years, alongside his studies.
Phoenix also is a scholar and writer of science fiction. His work has been published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Black Static, Safundi: The Journal of South African and American Studies, and Science Fiction Studies. A full member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, his expertise in science fiction writing has allowed him to serve as a judge for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, an award given annually to the best science fiction novel first published in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Alexander’s demonstrated expertise and passion for science fiction, as well as his commitment to social justice and including marginalized communities in his work, complements, and will continue to advance, the UCR Library’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through the Eaton Collection.
We invite the UCR community to join us in welcoming Phoenix to UCR when he arrives on August 1!
New dynamic eLearning resource offers test prep and tutorials
The UCR Library has a new resource called PrepSTEP, a highly-acclaimed eLearning solution by EBSCO LearningExpress that provides interactive tutorials, practice tests, and more.
It includes a full suite of dynamic eLearning resources that support the lives of students through academic success and preparation for today’s workplace.
PrepSTEP includes:
- Practice tests for graduate admissions exams (including the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MAT, MCAT and PCAT)
- Tutorials in core math, science and English skills
- College success skills
- Career preparation
- Basic computer skills
- Placement test preparation
- eBooks
- Resources for Spanish speakers
You can find PrepStep through the library’s website by following these steps: Library.ucr.edu > databases > search for “PrepSTEP”
You can also use this short-link (works best on campus or when logged in through VPN): http://bit.ly/ucr-testprep
The library has a 1-year trial and may extend, depending on how frequently our community uses it.
For questions or assistance with PrepStep, please contact Carla Arbagey, Collection Strategist for Arts and Humanities.
Explore Two New Digital Collections
We’re excited to announce the addition of two digital collections available for research and study.
Allison V. Armour Expedition to Yucatán, Mexico Photograph Album
This collection showcases the 1895 research expedition led by curators from the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The photo album captures views of Mayan ruins, with additional photographs of local scenery and the expedition group.
Explore the collection on Calisphere.
Pico Rivera News (UCR Access Only)
Dive into LA County history with the Pico Rivera News, a newspaper chronicling life in Pico Rivera, California and the surrounding area in 1931 and 1932. While mostly in English, some issues do feature a page of news in Spanish. This archive is a valuable resource for members of the UCR community researching journalism, Southern California history, and even Hispanic culture.
Access the collection through UC Library Search.
These new digital collections highlight our commitment to preserving and providing access to historical resources. We invite you to explore these collections and unlock stories from the past!
Introducing Zhiwu Xie, the new Assistant University Librarian for Research and Technology
The UCR Library is thrilled to announce Zhiwu Xie as our new Assistant University Librarian for Research and Technology beginning Monday, June 26, 2023.
Zhiwu brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, as well as a deep commitment to advancing research and technology in academia.
Currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Virginia Tech’s University Libraries, Zhiwu’s motivation to apply for this leadership position at UCR lies in the exciting prospect of shaping the library's role in supporting research and technology, ensuring its relevance for years to come.
"The unique portfolio of this position integrates the library's strategic roles in advancing campus research and technology development.” Zhiwu explained. “It provides me with an extraordinary opportunity to leverage my expertise and experience to help build a future-proof academic library."
Zhiwu's accomplishments at Virginia Tech demonstrate his dedication to innovation and growth, like taking advantage of the faculty status that librarians have at Virginia Tech.
“I am the first librarian in my current institution to have reached $1 million in external grant funding as PI and co-PI, and over the years, I have kept up with research and publications,” Zhiwu explained. His commitment to research not only elevated his own profile but also encouraged and empowered his peers to actively engage in research and technology development.
Zhiwu stumbled into librarianship by accident. With a background in mechanical engineering and a postdoc in computer science under his belt, Zhiwu found himself at a crossroads in 2005 when the NASA-funded program he was working on — launching a superfluidity experimental rig to the Earth's orbit — faced an unexpected cancellation. It was a library that offered him an assistantship position that provided him an opportunity to remain in academia. He found the field fascinating and decided to stay.
With his diverse background, including an M.B.A., an M.S. in Electrical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Turbomachinery, Zhiwu possesses a unique set of skills that bridge the gap between research, technology, and library services.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Zhiwu Xie as the Assistant University Librarian for Research and Technology at the UCR Library. With his vast experience, innovative mindset, and passion for advancing the academic library, we are excited to see the positive impact he will bring to the UCR community.
New Library Acquisitions in Science, Art, and History
Over the past several months, UCR Library has acquired several major online resources. These electronic resources make a wide variety of full text journals, magazine collections, and primary source collections available to UCR faculty, students, and researchers. These exciting new acquisitions include:
Emerald Insight https://www.emerald.com/insight/
The Emerald eJournal Premier collection from Emerald Insight includes more than 300,000 full-text articles from 322 journals covering business, science & technology, engineering, social sciences, healthcare, public policy, and library science. Emerald Publishing journals are double-blind peer-reviewed and reflect Emerald’s mission to inspire positive change in society and addresses real-world problems.
Art Magazine Archives & Artforum
Art Magazine Collection Archive from Ebsco presents a collection of three leading art magazines — The Magazine ANTIQUES, ARTnews and Art in America — covering contemporary art, visual art, fine arts and more. Research areas represented in these magazines include ancient art, architecture, art preservation, and contemporary art. Articles and cover pages are fully indexed and advertisements are individually identified, making this a valuable resource for those studying visual arts, art history, and culture.
Access Art Magazine Archives via EBSCOhost: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&custid=s4138829&groupid=main&profile=ehost&defaultdb=ara
The Artforum (later Artforum International) archive from ProQuest is the digitized version of the leading magazine for coverage of contemporary international art, with content dating back to the magazine’s first issue in 1962 through 2020. Artforum covers art in all media, from painting, sculpture, and installations, to body art video & audio art, and performance art. Also covered are related topics such as architecture, film, fashion, music, and photography.
Access the Artforum Archive via ProQuest: https://www.proquest.com/artforum/advanced/arts/fromDatabasesLayer?accountid=14521
East India Company Archives: India Office Records from the British Library, 1599-1947
https://www.eastindiacompany.amdigital.co.uk/
The East India Company archives from Adam Matthew Digital offers access to a unique collection covering the entirety of classes IOR/A, B, C, D, E and G of the India Office Records held at the British Library, London. Containing royal charters, correspondence, trading diaries, minutes of council meetings and reports of expeditions, among other document types, this resource charts the history of British trade and rule in the Indian subcontinent and beyond from 1599 to 1947.
From the Company’s charter in 1600 to Indian independence in 1947, East India Company tells the story of trade with the East; politics; and the rise and fall of the British Empire. It records the challenges of a globalising world and sheds light on many contrasting narratives – from records of powerful political figures, through to the lives of native populations and the individual traders who lived and worked at the edge of Empire.
For an overview of what is included in the archive, see https://www.amdigital.co.uk/primary-sources/east-india-company.
New Director of Teaching and Learning
We are pleased to announce Britt Foster as our new Director of Teaching and Learning!
Britt joined UCR Library staff on September 6 and comes to UCR from California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) where she was most recently a subject specialist in the agricultural sciences, providing instruction and reference to the university's Agricultural Business, Food Science and Nutrition, Plant Science, Viticulture and Enology, and Child and Family Science programs.
Britt studied Creative Writing and English Literature at San Francisco State University. After graduating, she went on to UCLA where she completed her MLIS.
Her library career began as a public children's librarian, but after taking a part-time position at a university, she fell in love with information literacy instruction and decided to stay in higher education. While at Fresno State, she took advantage of the tuition waiver program and completed a Master’s in Education with a Curriculum and Instruction emphasis.
Britt first visited the UCR campus in 2018 as part of a student success fellowship program. She was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the programs at UCR and the supports in place to attend to the whole student, not just their academic needs. Britt also believes in teaching skills that go beyond academic and professional preparation.
“We teach to develop the skill set our students need to be successful in their academic and professional endeavors, but also, to have the information skills they need to self-advocate and navigate within their communities and civic spaces,” Britt explained. “To be able to focus on growing and developing these learning opportunities, with collaborators in and out of the library, is so exciting.”
New archival collections available for fall 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 – Fall 2017
1.92 linear ft. (2 boxes)
The collection contains photographs, notes, articles, and other materials from explorer Edna R. Webster and her daughter Marjorie Webster. The majority of materials in the collection relate to Edna's exploration and study of Mayan ruins on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, and Marjorie's interest in Atlantis and its possible connection to Mexico.
2.54 linear ft. (5 boxes)
This collection consists of the papers of author Jean Paiva, including manuscript drafts, notes, research, and short stories. Materials in the collection also include literary contracts, earnings statements, and correspondence between Paiva and other authors, editors and literary figures.
0.83 linear ft. (2 boxes)
The collection consists of materials relating to the political career of John Phillips, who served as a California state legislator from 1932-1942, then as a member of the House of Representatives from 1943-1947. Items in the collection include correspondence, reports, pamphlets, and other documents related to Phillips work and research on topics like government food subsidies, universal military training, and the Republican Party platform.
1.42 linear ft. (2 boxes)
The Sunkist Growers Inc. records consists mostly of agreements between various growers and the Fruit Growers Supply Company and the Exchange By-Products Company, which were parts of the organization that provided wholesale supplies and developed markets for citrus by-products like oil and citric acid. The collection also includes brochures, photographs, and a photo album including research information from the University of California Citrus Experiment Station.
1.46 linear ft. (2 boxes)
This collection consists of the personal and professional papers of Betty Clark Moore, a biologist and former research associate at UC Riverside. Materials in the collection include correspondence, photographs, research notes, and scientific publications written by Moore and others.
11.5 linear ft. (20 boxes)
This collection contains correspondence, notes, and other material from J. Lloyd Eaton, a physician and book collector whose collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror publications formed the foundation of the Eaton Science Fiction & Fantasy Collection at UC Riverside. Included in his papers are the index card catalogs Eaton kept documenting his collection, which include his notes on many of the works.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection consists of photographs and postcards from John W. Dady, depicting various Native American tribes and ranches in the Midwest and California during the early 20th century.
0.23 linear ft. (1 box, 1 flat folder)
This collection contains photographs, slides, and programs from races held at the Riverside International Raceway, a race track in Riverside, California that was in operation from 1957-1989.
1.25 linear ft. (2 boxes)
The collection contains two scrapbooks of news clippings, correspondence, political mailers, and other materials related to efforts to pass two ballot propositions related to state bonds in the June 2, 1970 election in California.
7.19 linear ft. (6 boxes, 1 flat folder)
This collection contains records and research on the date palm industry and date palm farming throughout the 20th century, including photographs of date palm farms, brochures, and newspaper clippings. Additionally, the collection contains photographs, programs, correspondence, and pamphlets pertaining to the United States Department of Agriculture Date Station, and items from date palm researchers Walter T. Swingle, and Roy W. Nixon.
2.17 linear ft. (4 boxes)
This collection includes materials from Alfred M. Boyce, an entomologist and first dean of the University of California, Riverside's College of Agriculture. Items in the collection include agricultural research, photographs, information on the Citrus Experiment Station, and materials related to the publication of Boyce's memoir, Odyssey of an Entomologist: Adventures on the Farm, at Sea, and in the University.
0.42 linear ft. (1 box)
The collection contains working papers, articles, proposals, and other documents on solar sails created by Carl A. Wiley, an engineer and mathematician that authored one of the first accounts of how solar sails could be assembled in orbit and used as spacecraft propulsion devices.
0.21 linear ft. (1 box)
This collection contains correspondence from numerous British artists during the 19th and early 20th century received and collected by British painter Edith Hipkins. The majority of the correspondence consists of personal letters sent to Hipkins and her father, musician Alfred J. Hipkins.