Newsletter Edition: Fall 2025
Celebrating Story, Scholarship, and Innovation at the CSUN University Library
At the heart of the CSUN University Library is a belief that every voice matters. Whether through the preservation of personal narratives, the celebration of student achievement, or the thoughtful exploration of emerging technologies, our Library continues to thrive as a dynamic center for learning, reflection, and discovery.
This edition’s theme, Empowering Voices: From Memory to Momentum, reflects my vision for the Library as a space where the past is honored, the present is supported, and the future is shaped with intention. It’s a place where stories are not only kept, but uplifted. Where students find belonging, and where innovation is approached with care and curiosity.
Archives as Testimony
Our featured exhibit, Words of War: Personal Experiences of Conflict, invites visitors to engage with the deeply human dimensions of war through letters, photographs, and ephemera. Curated by Jarosz, Furnier, and O’Hara, the exhibit foregrounds the voices of civilians, soldiers, refugees, and activists—reminding us that archives are not just repositories, but living testimonies that challenge us to empathize, reflect, and respond.
Students as Stewards
This spring, we proudly awarded 30 scholarships to outstanding student employees whose work advances access, equity, and academic success. These students gain hands-on experience while contributing meaningfully to the Library’s mission. Among them is Mariam Adli, a first-generation student pursuing a career in pediatric medicine; her journey exemplifies the transformative power of student engagement in the Library.
During my recent listening tour, I was moved by how many of our current faculty and staff began their careers as student assistants in the CSUN Library. Today, many of them serve as mentors, continuing a legacy of support and stewardship that enriches our entire academic community.
Innovation in Action: AI Literacy and Leadership
As artificial intelligence transforms higher education, the Library is leading the way in AI literacy and ethical engagement. The Artificial Intelligence Working Group (AIWG), founded by librarians Stephen Kutay, Lisa Cheby, and Brianna Limas, is helping CSUN faculty and students navigate AI tools with confidence and discernment.
Through workshops, guides, and campus-wide collaborations, AIWG is fostering informed use of AI in research and instruction. In response to the CSU system’s groundbreaking AI Initiative, our librarians are ensuring that AI is not just adopted, but deeply understood.
Legacy in Stone: The Portico Pavers Project
One of the most moving moments this year was the unveiling of the University Library Portico Commemorative Pavers.
This meaningful campaign is about more than bricks and mortar—it’s about investing in futures. Each engraved paver on the Library Portico carries a personal message, a dedication, a memory. Together, they form a rectilinear mosaic of pride, generosity, and shared purpose.
I encourage visitors to take a walk across the Portico. Pause. Read the names and messages etched in stone. You’ll feel the spirit of the CSUN family—its resilience, its warmth, and its unwavering belief in the power of education.
From Memory to Momentum
Whether through the preservation of wartime correspondence, the celebration of student achievement, or the exploration of emerging technologies, the CSUN University Library remains a space where voices are amplified, questions are welcomed, and knowledge becomes action.
We invite you to explore, engage, and be inspired by the stories and innovations shaping our Library community.
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