More News March 19, 2021

Performing arts students and faculty at UCR can now access more than 1,200 resources thanks to the library’s new subscription to DigitalTheatre+.

The world’s leading platform for digital performing arts, Digital Theatre+ features videos, study guides, teaching tools, and reference and research materials including backstage insights, practitioner interviews, written analysis, and more than 450 productions.

A few examples of what you can find in Digital Theatre+ include:

• 330+ HD recordings of hundreds of live captured performances across theatre, ballet, opera and classical music
• 80+ Study Guides accompanying curricula mapped plays, written by leading academics to help students get to grip with dramatic texts
• 220+ Interviews with actors, directors, and backstage crew providing an often unseen insight into the workings of a theatre and what it takes to stage a play
• Relationship maps, plot summaries, theme and context analysis, glossaries and more

Digital Theatre+ complements the library’s existing streaming media collections for the performing arts from Alexander Street and Kanopy, adding access to content that focuses on performance, production, and teaching these topics in the university classroom.

Patrons will need to sign in to the Global Protect VPN before accessing Digital Theatre+, as it is IP-authenticated.

More News January 25, 2017

William Shakespeare may never have envisioned his “Much Ado About Nothing” heroine Beatrice quite like this, but a UK-based design firm did.

Cherry Williams, UCR Library’s Director of Distinctive Collections received a request from the firm Stylorouge Ltd. for an image of Mexican Soldaderas from our Battle of Ciudad Juarez photograph collection in Special Collections & University Archives.

“The designer wanted to feature this photo in a theatrical program to promote the 2017 ‘Summer of Love’ season for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,” Cherry explained.

Their completed pop-art inspired playbill is shown in the image above, and more details about the production are available online on the theater’s website.

More than 40,000 copies of the brochure featuring the photograph were printed and distributed in the UK to advertise the theatrical production.

This and many other striking photographs of the Mexican Revolution are available for viewing and research in our Special Collections and University Archives.

More News October 30, 2017

For the past 10 years, the City of Riverside has debated whether to build a new main library or to renovate the library’s existing building.

One of our UCR Library team members was involved in this landmark decision in October 2017. Early Experience Teaching Librarian Michael Yonezawa has also served for the past year as the President of the Library Board of Trustees for the City of Riverside.

“It’s a huge project whose purpose is to build a new library for the twenty-first century,” Yonezawa said. Riverside’s City Council recently confirmed plans to fund the design and construction of a new main library from the ground up, he explained. The costs are estimated at $40 million. “Hopefully it all continues to move forward and then by 2020, the city will have a new, state-of-the-art, centerpiece library.”

The new site will be mere blocks away from the library’s current location next to the Mission Inn, which was built in 1964. “It’s still in design phase,” Yonezawa said. “They have the conceptual drawings and renditions of what the building will look like and how it will situate on the property.”

He added, “There are a lot of things that interconnect with the new main library, with putting Riverside on the map.” The City of Riverside is also in discussions with actor and comedian Cheech Marin about housing his art collection in the library’s current location, which Yonezawa explained will depend partly on raising private funds. “The building is in a great location for being an art museum.”

“Between the Cheech, the new library, and the university, there’s all kinds of collaboration that could take place,” Yonezawa mused.

Yonezawa first got involved with the Board of Trustees because, as a Riverside resident, he wanted to tie his professional interests to his community interests. “Part of being a professional librarian at UCR is not only to do the work that we’re responsible and hired for here, but also we have the discretion to be able to pick and choose how else we’d like to do different things in our career. I thought of it as a way to be a part of the community in a productive way,” he said. “It fit very well with my professional background and expertise. And it’s one way that we – the library, as professionals who work in the library – can make a difference to our larger community. It is a responsibility but it has been rewarding at many different levels.”

Reflecting back on why he chose to become a professional librarian, Yonezawa commented, “It’s the same classic story: you grow up going to libraries. It seemed like every weekend, we would go as a family to the local public library and borrow materials and take them home.”

Yonezawa has worked for the University of California since January 1988. He began his career as an undergraduate at UC Irvine, while working as a student assistant at their library. Then in 1999, he joined the UCR Library team. “The only break in service was one weekend from Friday afternoon to Monday morning from when I came from there to here,” Yonezawa laughed. “When you add it all up, part time work, part time career staff, and full time career staff, it all adds up to close to 28 years already.”

• Read more about Ancestral Futures: Speculative Imaginings from the Archive

More Past Exhibits /exhibits/and-theres-humor-it-shakespeare-and-four-humors March 23, 2023

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) created characters that are among the richest and most humanly recognizable in all of literature. Yet Shakespeare understood human personality in the terms available to his age—that of the now-discarded theory of the four bodily humors –blood, bile, melancholy, and phlegm. These four humors were understood to define peoples’ physical and mental health, and determined their personality, as well.

The language of the four humors pervades Shakespeare's plays and their influence is felt above all in a belief that emotional states are physically determined. Carried by the bloodstream, the four humors bred the core passions of anger, grief, hope, and fear—the emotions conveyed so powerfully in Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies. Curator Gail Kern Paster explains “The four humors were an early typology for human personality. Shakespeare uses them, even as he transcends them, to create the vivid characters whose emotions continue to fascinate and delight us.”

“And there’s the humor of it”: Shakespeare and the four humors explores the role played by the four humors in several of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays through beautiful imagery and rare books from both the National Library of Medicine and the Folger Shakespeare Library, and examines more modern interpretations of the four humors in contemporary medicine.

This exhibition was developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health and the Folger Shakespeare Library.

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More News February 18, 2016

Tiffany López is an inspiration not only on the University of California, Riverside campus, but regionally and nationally as well. She is dedicated to creating awareness of cultural history, and providing insight into the intersection of art and creative production’s role in personal and social change.

López is a professor in the UCR Department of Theatre, Film and Digital Production, and Tomás Rivera Endowed Chair in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS). She has been teaching at UC Riverside for nearly two decades, and her dedication to introducing students to Chicana/Chicano and Latina/Latino history and culture has been a driving force in her work.

As part of the UCR Library's Latino Americans: 500 Years of History programming series in March, López will lead a scholarly discussion and give a dramatic reading from the Segundo Jueves Latina/o Play Project. She will read an excerpt of "Y No Se Lo Trago La Tierra" by Tomás Rivera, past UCR chancellor and the first Mexican-American chancellor in the UC system.

The Play Project is a series of performances including dramatic readings, plays, music, and dance from Latina/o cultural writings and works that López has developed as living, shared artwork using the medium of theatrical performance. A Segundo Jueves Latina/o Play Project performance will be presented at the Culver Center in April, 2016.

More News June 28, 2022

WisCon is a feminist science fiction & fantasy convention held annually in Madison, Wisconsin. 

This year's conference took place in late May with Andrew Lippert, Special Collections Processing Archivist, Sandy Enriquez, Special Collections Public Services Outreach/Community Engagement Librarian, and Dr. Phoenix Alexander, our soon-to-be Jay Kay and Doris Klein Science Fiction Librarian, in attendance. Learn more about the conference from Andrew and Sandy in our WisCon Q&A. 

How did it feel to go to an in-person conference again?

Sandy: It was both exciting, and a little bit nerve-wracking! But part of the reason I felt comfortable attending WisCon was that they took extensive precautions and implemented many best practices to keep folks safe. All the conference-goers I encountered respected the protocols (including a mask mandate) and I felt very comfortable. Having those safety measures in place meant that I could fully enjoy all the benefits of in-person conferences.

Andrew: It was wonderful to attend a conference in-person again. There are definite upsides to being able to get conference content from the comfort of one’s own home, but you miss all of the little conversations and encounters that happen outside of the sessions. It’s also fun to wander around a town you’ve never been to for a couple of days.

What were some of the highlights from WisCon?

Sandy: One of my favorite moments was listening to readings from the new speculative fiction anthology, "Trouble the Waters: Tales from the Deep Blue" edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, Pan Morigan, and Troy L. Wiggins. One of the stories centered on the care and shepherding of space whales, which was so magical and whimsical to imagine! 

Andrew: WisCon was a fantastic event and there were a lot of great elements. First and foremost, the panels and the conversations that they inspired were truly superb. This might have been the most intellectually stimulating and inspiring conference/convention I have been to. There is a lot of really important work going on in these spaces.

How does WisCon’s mission align with the goals you have for your work here at the UCR Library?

Sandy: WisCon is a community-led, feminist science fiction and fantasy convention. They aim to make their events as inclusive, safe, and welcoming as possible for people from all walks of life. Their mission to promote inclusivity and uplift underrepresented voices in science fiction aligns strongly with my goals for public services, outreach, and community engagement at UCR Library. Part of my job is to help people find and utilize our collections, and I especially strive to reach communities who have been traditionally excluded from, or misrepresented in, the historical record. I aim to increase access and knowledge of the collections through innovative and collaborative outreach, as well as highlighting underrepresented stories whenever possible. For example, I have recently taught several workshops centering Chicano student activism at UCR, in collaboration with graduate student instructors, and with Chicano Student Programs. While science fiction is only one aspect of our collecting focus, I think we can learn a lot from this field (and feminism in general) about how to partner with communities and practice more equitable outreach, teaching, and research.

Andrew: The primary way that my work with the Eaton Collection aligns with WisCon is in efforts to diversify the genre of speculative fiction. WisCon started out as the feminist science fiction con in the late 1970s, and it still has a lot of those feminist roots with its current incarnation. However, I saw an organization that has evolved to be radically inclusive of all peoples, with a very strong emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community. There were also themes of decolonization and anti-capitalism that popped up from session to session that also work their way into how I think about building a speculative fiction collection.

Was there anything interesting or noteworthy you learned at the conference?

Sandy: Absolutely! Marie Vibbert gave a fantastic presentation about her research on labor in science fiction novels. She analyzed the jobs and classes of main characters across almost two hundred science fiction novels to create her dataset. She found that, contrary to popular belief, science fiction protagonists were more likely to be upper/middle class than working class. She also found that male authors were more likely to write male characters than other genders.

Andrew: The most notable learning opportunity for me — as a cis, white, male — was to be immersed into a queer space. This is not something that I encounter very often in my day-to-day life and I appreciate opportunities like this that center and value the voices and points of view of people that are not often afforded that opportunity. To me, the incredibly engaging discussions only reinforce the value and importance of inclusion and diversity and the degree to which more diverse points of view only serve to enrich the conversation.

Does the Eaton Collection include many feminist works?

Sandy: The Eaton Collection does include many works by feminist authors and works that explore feminist themes, but given how quickly the field is evolving, there is still a lot of work to be done. For example, we have feminist science fiction classics such as 'The Female Man' by Joanna Russ or 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin, along with more contemporary examples of feminist science fiction such as the graphic novel 'Bitch Planet' by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine de Landro. We are actively working to diversify our holdings by identifying and acquiring new works, including those that may incorporate feminist themes but are not explicitly labeled as such (one that comes to mind is the fantastic anthology 'Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit & Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction' edited by Joshua Whitehead).

Andrew: Yes! We have many novels by feminist authors (for example: Octavia Butler, Joanna Russ, and many more). There is also a lot of feminist work done in the comics and graphic novel space (such as: Bitch Planet or Maiden, Mother, and Crone). We have quite a lot of secondary, academic literature on feminism and science fiction. In the manuscript collections, we have the papers of feminist author Jody Scott. Former UCR professor Nalo Hopkinson has also been donating her papers to the Eaton Collection. There is so much material in the collection, far more than can be listed succinctly!

Do you plan on going back next year?

Sandy: I would love to! I'm not sure yet where next year will take me, but it would be fantastic to return.

Andrew: I would love to! It’s hard to plan that far out, but I hope to make it back to WisCon in the near future.

For more information on WisCon, visit wiscon.net or follow WisCon on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

More News January 23, 2017

Join us as we examine the academic themes of Living the Promise: The Campaign for UC Riverside, and how UCR is impacting our community, our nation, and our world, and how you are part of it all.

Living the Promise Symposia are a yearlong series that will reflect on the key themes of UCR’s comprehensive fundraising campaign.

All symposia are free to attend for UCR students, staff, faculty, and alumni, as well as community members, friends, and supporters of the university.

Upcoming events include:

Discover the Emerging Technologies and innovations at UCR that enrich the ways we experience and interact with our world. RSVP online.

Date:	Thursday, February 16, 2017
Time:	6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location:	HUB 302 at UCR

 

From Genomics to Harvest: Explore the vast contributions UCR is making to the basic science, cultivation, and production of plants and food. RSVP online.

Date:	Friday, March 17, 2017
Time:	6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location:	The Barn at UCR

 

Examine the concept of Renewable Nature and learn how UCR’s environmental, energy, and sustainable development research solutions are creating a healthier planet. RSVP online.

Date:	Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Time:	6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location:	University Theatre

 

Watch, look, and see the New Voices and Visions of UCR as we showcase the various expressions and celebrations of our humanity through visual and performing arts, and nurture voices from across the rich tapestry of society. RSVP online.

Date:	Thursday, May 4, 2017
Time:	6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location:	University Theatre at UCR

 

The Symposia Launch took place in October 2016, where special guest U.S. Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell discussed improving access, increasing affordability, enhancing quality, and accelerating college completion, and how UCR is leveraging these priorities to become a university of the 21st century: A Place Where All Succeed.

The second symposium was held in November 2016, and that event focused on the topic of Social Innovation & Empowerment.

More News April 28, 2025

The UCR Library plays an important role in supporting CHASS F1RST, a student success program in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) that helps first-year freshman and transfer students adjust to college life. 

On the library’s end, this collaboration is led by Student Success and Engagement Librarian Carrie Cruce and Social Sciences Teaching Librarian Michael Yonezawa.  

The UCR Library contributes to the program in two key ways: by embedding information literacy modules into CHASS F1RST courses—CHFY 007 for freshmen and CHFY 010 for transfer students—and by providing research skills training to the program’s peer mentors through the library’s WRI (Workshop-Related Instruction) Research Ready program.

Rather than having students come to the library, the team meets them where they are. “Our modules are integrated into their Canvas courses, and our training for peer mentors happens in their space,” Carrie said.  

First-year students often face challenges navigating implicit or unspoken academic expectations, a concept sometimes referred to as the “hidden curriculum.” According to Carrie, this includes understanding self-advocacy, seeking help, and utilizing campus resources.  

“Our collaboration with CHASS F1RST is one of the avenues we have to support students in building academic support networks, cultivating help-seeking skills, and understanding the role and resources of campus support departments like the library,” Carrie explains.  

Michael noted that first-year students—and in some cases, new transfer students—are often not aware of the vast resources and services a modern academic library provides. “The challenge for these students is to learn how to search, evaluate, and effectively use different types of information in their coursework and projects, particularly but not exclusively scholarly and academic information,” he said. “Ideally, students begin their academic journeys with an introduction to important foundational library concepts.”

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have reported feeling more confident in their ability to navigate the library’s resources and conduct research effectively.  

Carrie emphasized that fostering positive relationships with students has been key. “I’ve built connections with several students who now recognize me at other campus events,” she said. Librarian recognition and personal relationships support a positive impression of the library which contributes to further engagement.”

By meeting students early in their academic journey, the UCR Library is setting the stage for these students’ continued academic growth and engagement throughout their time at UCR. 

More News August 29, 2024

The UCR Library plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating the Hispanic community's history on campus and beyond. 

Through our Special Collections, exhibits, and collaborative projects, we connect students with their cultural heritage while also providing a space for all students to learn about and appreciate the rich history and contributions of the Hispanic community. 

As we approach Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15 - October 15, we want to highlight a few stories you may have missed that underscores our commitment to preserving and celebrating Hispanic heritage. 

One story highlights the experience of Belen Cardenas, a third-year English major in Fall 2022, who discovered a personal connection to her grandfather’s activism in the 1960s through the library’s archives. “Seeing and being able to interact with the history he lived through made me feel connected to him,” Cardenas shared. This connection was made possible by the library’s archival materials that were pulled specifically for her Chicano Studies class. Read more here.

The library’s collaboration with Chicano Student Programs (CSP) led to the creation of the first Semana de la Mujer exhibit in 2023. The exhibit was located in the Tomás Rivera Library and celebrated the Chicanas/Latinas in the lives of UCR community members. Special Collections Public Services, Outreach, and Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Enriquez emphasized the importance of this project, stating at the time, “I hope this exhibit helps people realize that this is their space too, and their stories deserve to be showcased with the same care and intention.” The exhibit’s success led to its return in 2024, and plans are already in place for it to continue in 2025. Discover more about the first Semana de la Mujer exhibit here.

A key way the UCR Library helped preserve UCR Chicano history was through the digitization of Nuestra Cosa, a UCR alternative Chicano newspaper that ran from 1972 until 2012. The project was made possible through a partnership between the library, CSP, Teatro Quinto Sol, and the Encuentros, Student Participatory Research Project (ESPARiTU). Sandy Enriquez highlighted the significance of this project saying, “There are so few opportunities, unfortunately, for students of color, students from underrepresented backgrounds like immigrant families to feel their experiences are reflected in the general narrative of UCR. Nuestra Cosa does really provide that authentic connection.” Learn more about the Nuestra Cosa digitization project . 

Through strong partnerships with campus groups, the UCR Library plays a vital role in preserving, sharing, and celebrating Hispanic heritage. These collaborations not only keep the history and voices of the Hispanic community alive but also enrich the entire UCR community. By making these stories accessible, the library fosters a deeper understanding and connection among all students, helping to build a more inclusive and informed campus environment.