Celebrating the Bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
An Evening of Eerie Prose & Poetry
Wednesday, October 31
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Geisel Library, Seuss Room

Join the UC San Diego Library as we celebrate the bicentennial of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein! Published in 1818, the classic novel is considered by many to be the first piece of science fiction and greatly influenced the horror and sci-fi genres. To commemorate 200 years since its publication, the UC San Diego Library is hosting a spoken/written word event on Wednesday, October 31 in the Seuss Room.

Submit works of either prose or poetry (or perhaps a letter, as correspondence was a major literary device in Frankenstein) that are no more than 200 words. We encourage you to explore horror or sci-fi themes related to the novel, including (but not limited to): maleficent medicine, unsupervised science, abandoned creations, problematic Prometheus, etc.

You’ll have the opportunity to read your work or have someone read it aloud for you! Email your entry to spaulson@ucsd.edu by or before October 29.

Enjoy experimental libations at our refreshment laboratory and eerie music from our haunting house band! This event is free and open to the public.

There will also be an exhibit in the Biomedical Library that will highlight Frankenstein’s scientific and medical background, as well as a paper theater featuring the main characters of the book. This exhibit will be on display until November 15.

The UC San Diego Library has once again joined the San Diego County Library, the San Diego Public Library, KPBS and other partners to celebrate the 12th annual One Book, One San Diego community reading program. This popular program aims to unite the San Diego community by reading the same book with themes that resonate with people of all backgrounds and inspire thoughtful conversations. The 2018 selection, which was announced August 25 at the San Diego Union-Tribune Festival of Books, is March: Book One by Congressman and prominent civil rights activist John Lewis.

A pop-up exhibit in Geisel Library reveals the nomination process of One Book, One San Diego. The display located in Geisel West, 1st Floor opens September 1 and also includes this year’s One Book for Kids selection, which is Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus.

The first installment in a graphic novel trilogy, March: Book One is a riveting depiction of Lewis’ firsthand experiences with discrimination and his lifelong struggle for civil rights. It covers Lewis’ childhood in rural Alabama, his introduction to legendary civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., his participation in nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins and his leadership in the subsequent series of marches in protest of segregation. In 2014, Lewis received an Author Honor from the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and March: Book One became the first graphic novel to win a Robert F. Kennedy Book Award.

In celebration of One Book, One San Diego, various events including book discussions and author visits will be presented throughout the county. For more information, please visit the KPBS website.

The 2018-19 Holocaust Living History Workshop (HLHW) series continues this fall with an exhibition, a documentary and eight compelling authors highlighting the diverse journeys of survivors and victims of the Holocaust. Every year the popular HLHW, co-sponsored by the UC San Diego Library and the UC San Diego Jewish Studies Program, invites high-caliber speakers to campus to share inspiring stories that broaden our understanding of the past, foster tolerance and preserve the memories of victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

All events are free and open to the public. The workshops are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Geisel Library’s Seuss Room from 5 to 7 p.m., with some exceptions. Due to the success of the program, registration is now required for all events. Walk-ins welcome based on space and availability. To register by phone, contact Ellysa Lim at (858) 534-1183. Read more…

Toy Piano Festival
September 5, 2018 • Noon – 1 p.m.
Geisel Library, Seuss Room

The popular festival, now in its 18th year, will feature two performances this fall, the first at Geisel Library in the Seuss Room on September 5 at noon, and a special collaboration with the San Diego Public Library on Sunday, September 9 at 2:30 p.m. in the Neil Morgan Auditorium.

Join festival director Scott Paulson and his toy piano colleagues for a performance that will amuse listeners of all ages. Since 2000, the UC San Diego Library has hosted the Toy Piano Festival every September, to pay homage to the September 5 birthday of John Cage, the first composer to write a serious work for toy pianos.

In May of 2001, the Library of Congress issued a subject heading and call number for toy piano scores, at the request of Paulson, the Toy Piano Collection, and the events at Geisel Library. The call number is: M 175 T69. 

The toy piano collection at Geisel Library consists of commissioned scores, literature and recordings, and actual toy pianos, ranging from simple four-note novelty keyboards to three-octave baby grands. A selection of toy piano scores and instruments will be on stage at the San Diego Public Library event.

Both performances are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Scott Paulson at (858) 822-5758.

San Diego Festival of Books
Saturday, August 25
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Liberty Station, Point Loma

Grab a book and join us at the 2nd annual San Diego Union-Tribune Festival of Books at Liberty Station in Point Loma on Saturday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The UC San Diego Library will be sharing a booth with the UC San Diego Bookstore!

This celebration of San Diego’s vibrant reading community joins thousands of local readers, writers and word lovers. The San Diego Festival of Books connects San Diego area readers, booksellers, authors and businesses around their common love of the written word.

The Silent Films of Lois Weber
Saturday, August 18
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Wisteria Cottage, La Jolla

The UC San Diego Library collaborates again with La Jolla Historical Society for a silent film screening on Saturday, August 18 on the lawn of Wisteria Cottage! Live music and sound effects for the films come courtesy of the Library’s very own Scott Paulson.

A brief slideshow calling attention to 1920’s silent films produced in La Jolla will be immediately followed by a 1916 feature film from director Lois Weber, a pioneer in film technique and subject matter during the silent film era. There will also be a featured slideshow preview of our upcoming collaborative summer 2019 Wisteria Cottage exhibition of “vintage multimedia.” The 2019 exhibition is based on four exhibits that Scott installed at Geisel Library in the past (local silent films, magic lantern slides and stereoscopic viewers).

Bring low chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner for a memorable evening under the stars!

The lawn opens at 7 p.m. and the film begins at 8 p.m.

The University of California (UC) Libraries continually strive for an integrated, user-centric collection that supports and enhances the mission of the UC, deriving its strength from the diverse nature of the individual campus library collections. Currently, each campus independently licenses an Integrated Library System (ILS) to manage the acquisition, use and sharing of print and electronic library resources; a patchwork of services and connective systems ensures the campus collections are accessible systemwide to all UC students, faculty and staff.

With the goal of sustaining and enhancing service for all members of the UC community, the UC libraries—at the direction of the Council of University Librarians (CoUL)—has launched a project to explore a Systemwide ILS (SILS) platform. Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Startup and Exploration) of the project were completed between June 2017 and June 2018, and CoUL endorsed the SILS working group’s recommendations to move forward with Phase 3 (Detailed Planning). The working group will kick off Phase 3 at a planning meeting in September 2018 held at UC San Diego’s Geisel Library.

More information is available at the University of California Libraries website. The UC San Diego Library will continue to update its users as the process evolves and progresses.

Food for Fine$ 
Sunday, May 27- Saturday, June 9 
Geisel Library & Biomedical Library buildings

Bring food items to donate to either Library Front Desk between May 27 to June 9 (Weeks 9 & 10) for $2 per item off your library fines from Spring Quarter. All donated items go to UC San Diego Triton Food Pantry.

Guidelines

• Fines eligible  for dismissal include course reserve and recall overdues, billing fees, and processing fees (no replacement charges)
• Fines must be from the current term: Spring Quarter Weeks 1-8
• Earn credits to a maximum of $40
• Fines already paid may be credited
• Food donations accepted at Geisel & BLB Front Desks
• Small, individually-wrapped items in a larger bundle will count as one item (e.g. fruit cups in 4-pack)

Most Needed Items

• Cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta/sauce
• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, ham)
• Dry or canned beans
• Peanut butter or granola bars
• Canned soup or cooking oils
• Canned fruits or vegetables

Read more…

The UC San Diego Library is teaming up with the UC San Diego Triton Food Pantry to offer students a unique alternative to paying recall or reserve library fines with nonperishable food donations.

In support of the food pantry, the Library’s Food for Fine$ is a new initiative encouraging students to offer food donations to receive a $2 credit per eligible item toward their existing fines for recent overdue Library materials.

“This initiative demonstrates the Library’s commitment to the UC San Diego community by providing needed relief to some students who might otherwise skip a meal to save money,” said Kymberly Goodson, program director for Spaces, Lending, & Access (SLA). “We’re thrilled about this partnership with the Food Pantry. It’s something we’ve never done at the Library, and we hope we can continue it in the future.”

To participate, students can drop off nonperishable foods at the Geisel or BLB Front Desks, including canned meats, canned vegetables, boxes of cereal, cooking oils, and much more (see details of eligible donations and fines here). No glass containers will be accepted and food cannot be repackaged, damaged, opened, or expired. Food for Fine$ kicks off May 27 and runs through June 9.

“Only fines incurred in Weeks 1 through 8 of Spring Quarter will be credited by donated goods, up to a $40 maximum,” said Goodson. “Alternately, participants can receive a credit for already paid fines from this time period.”

The UC San Diego Library joins a network of other universities with similar programs, such as UC Irvine Libraries, U-T at Arlington, and Texas A&M. Food for Fine$ originated in public libraries as a way to further contribute to their communities while also providing a way for library users to decrease or pay their fines and begin using their library cards again.

“We’ve seen an increase in students using the pantry as tuition costs rise. We currently serve over 700 students per week. A 2012 UC Undergraduate Experience Survey showed 25 percent of UC San Diego students ‘often’ skip meals to save cash,” said Sherlock Li, manager at the Triton Food Pantry. “With summer around the corner, Food for Fine$ is a great way for students to clear their cupboards before moving out and keep the Food Pantry stocked.”

The Triton Food Pantry was launched by Associated Students in February 2015 to ensure the academic success of students of all backgrounds. All registered students with a valid UC San Diego identification card can visit the pantry once per week to get up to 10 points worth of food. Fresh produce is also available to supplement students’ needs.”

For more information about the Food for Fine$ program, contact staff at either the Geisel or BLB Front Desks.

San Diego-raised novelist and UC San Diego alumnus, Luis Alberto Urrea ‘77, will be the featured speaker at this year’s Dinner in the Library on Friday, September 21, 2018 in Geisel Library.

Hailed by NPR as a “master storyteller with a rock and roll heart,” Urrea is a prolific author who draws inspiration for his novels from his binational upbringing and dual cultural experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph.

Urrea was born in Mexico, living the first part of his youth in Tijuana before moving to San Diego in the 1950s. Similar to other writers, he got his start in literature writing poems to impress girls in junior high. His early heroes were all rock stars, but not being musically inclined Urrea chose to follow in the steps of his literary role models. Even though Urrea’s UC San Diego journey began as a theater major, it was the Literature Department that ultimately led him to graduation day. Today, Urrea is most recognized as a border writer, though he says, “I am more interested in bridges, not borders.”

A 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction and member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, Urrea is the best-selling author of 17 books and has won numerous awards for his poetry, fiction and essays.  Read more…