Newsletter Edition: Fall 2026
The calendar insists it's autumn, though the Valley continues to glow and shimmer with the last long exhale of summer. Still, on a college campus, fall arrives in ways that have nothing to do with the weather. It arrives in the energy of new students, the spark of new ideas, the promise of new collaborations, and the quiet sense that something meaningful is about to begin. Even beneath relentless blue skies and triple-digit temperatures, the season of possibility has arrived.
A university library is, of course, a place where those beginnings take shape. It is where discoveries are made, connections are forged, and legacies are preserved for future generations. While the stories in this issue highlight different people, projects, and accomplishments, together they illustrate something larger: the many ways our University Library helps individuals launch new journeys, safeguards the memories that define our community, and creates opportunities for growth, learning, and transformation.
One of the great realities of working in higher education leadership is that every year, just when you think you've seen it all, a new group of students arrives and reminds you otherwise. This year's Library Student Scholarship recipients embody that feeling. Their achievements are the product of hard work, resilience, and determination, but they are also a reminder that potential is one of the most powerful forces on a college campus. Every scholarship is a decision to bet on someone's future and trust that what they learn here will ripple outward in ways we cannot yet fully see. Our student assistants greet visitors, solve problems, answer questions, and keep countless pieces of the library’s work moving forward, often quietly and without much fanfare. They are not simply beneficiaries of the institution; they are co-creators of it. They shape the experience of this place as much as anyone. In a world that sometimes feels cynical about the value of higher education, our students offer a different story. They remind us that learning remains an act of possibility, that growth is rarely linear, and that the future is still being written. We are proud to invest in them, grateful for what they contribute today, and excited to see where they go next.
That spirit of exploration is echoed in the opening of our newest exhibit, Journeys of the Imagination. Libraries have always been gateways to worlds beyond our own, inviting us to encounter new ideas and possibilities. This exhibit reminds us that imagination is not separate from learning. It is often where learning begins. Creativity, curiosity, whimsy, and discovery remain among the most powerful forces driving intellectual growth and innovation.
This issue also highlights the exciting work being done through the Special Collections & Archives NEH grant, “American Government Traditions: Federal, State, and Local Intersections in Post-War Los Angeles.” Funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Rediscovering Our Revolutionary Tradition program, the project supports the preservation and accessibility of primary source materials that illuminate the history of American governance and civic life. Projects like this exemplify the profound responsibility libraries hold as stewards of cultural memory. Every collection we preserve and every story we make accessible contributes to a broader understanding of who we are, how our institutions have evolved, and how we arrived at the present moment. The grant's impact will extend far beyond today, creating opportunities for scholarship, civic engagement, and discovery for years to come while deepening our understanding of the intersections between federal, state, and local government in the Los Angeles region.
We are also delighted to introduce Jordan Nielsen. Welcoming new colleagues is one of the most rewarding aspects of building a vibrant library community, but in Jordan's case, it is also a personal pleasure. Over the past two months, I have genuinely enjoyed getting to know them. Our conversations have consistently revealed a thoughtful, creative, and deeply committed professional who brings both insight and enthusiasm to their work. Throughout my career, I have learned that exceptional libraries are built not only through collections, spaces, and services, but through the relationships we cultivate and the people who bring those resources to life. Jordan embodies the curiosity, collegiality, and commitment to service that define our profession at its best. As Jordan joins our leadership team, I am excited for our community to benefit from their expertise, perspective, and bold spirit. Strong organizations are ultimately strengthened by dedicated people, and we are fortunate to welcome someone who will help advance our mission while enriching the culture of the library.
And finally, we pause to remember former CSUN librarian Michael Barrett. While his passing is a moment of sadness, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact one individual can have on a community. The legacy of a life is measured not only by accomplishments but by relationships, service, and the difference made in the lives of others. Michael's contributions remain part of the story of this Library, and we are grateful for the mark he left on our institution and the people who knew him.
Taken together, these stories remind me that libraries are uniquely positioned at the intersection of past, present, and future. We celebrate emerging scholars, welcome new colleagues, preserve history, inspire imagination, and honor those whose contributions continue to shape us. Every day, our Library serves as a place where journeys begin, where knowledge is preserved and shared, and where individuals connect with something larger than themselves. As always, thank you for being part of this community and for the many ways you contribute to its success. I hope you enjoy this month's stories and find in them the same sense of inspiration, purpose, and possibility that I did.