Newsletter Edition: Spring 2025
In the University Library, our staff and faculty are at the heart of everything we do. In this edition of We Would Like You to Meet, we’re proud to introduce Julieta Garcia, a dedicated archivist whose expertise, passion, and commitment to student success have made a meaningful impact. Join us as we take a closer look at Julieta’s professional journey, positive influences, and advice for students at CSUN.
Tell us about your background and how you came to work at CSUN.
I was born and raised near Downtown Los Angeles. When I was accepted to CSUN for my undergraduate studies, I went over the hill and now have lived in the San Fernando Valley longer than other regions in Los Angeles. At CSUN, I studied Psychology and minored in Art history. I was fascinated with brain functionality and art. As an incoming freshman, I arrived without any work experience. Before classes started in the Fall, I attended a work study job fair and immediately met Guest Services (what used to be known as Circulation) staff. What started as a student employee position for four years, led me to a position in Special Collections and Archives (SC/A). Since starting in SC/A, I have moved around to do different jobs, I learned a lot about Archives and how an academic library works. Over the years, I was encouraged to pursue a Library Science degree. I then completed my Masters in Library Information Science (MLIS) degree from San Jose State University, and am now the Archivist for the International Guitar Research Archives (IGRA) in SC/A.
What is your role in the University Library?
As one of the archivists in SC/A, I specifically work with materials in the International Guitar Research Archive (IGRA) and the SC/A student supervisor within our unit. In the unit, I assist with acquisitions, reference questions, and processing collection materials within IGRA. I also mentor and assist student employees within SC/A, students conducting research in archives for the first time, and other student employees to pursue scholarships, internships, and positions that will assist them in pursuing their career choices.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Student success. Watching student employees in SC/A complete challenging courses, watching them win scholarships, pursue internships, get jobs that help in their pursuit of their career, and graduate from CSUN to move on to their careers is all very rewarding. I enjoy being able to assist students who struggle with archival research in the reading room, and then watching them complete their research assignments and sometimes win awards because of all of their hard work.
Who has been an inspiration to you in your career?
I have been inspired by the previous Associate Deans, Marianne Afifi and Kathy Dabbour - their administrative duties, the policies, mission, vision, and values of the University Library and University they’ve created, modified and had to uphold, the work they do with the community and their hard work to keep our library running, while also being strong leaders and influences in the CSUN community. I also look up to other colleagues and the work they do on campus and how they work to make student success a reality in their own ways; from making our campus more sustainable to making sure library resources are accessible to all who view them.
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to CSUN students?
Your time here as a student is not the be-all and end-all, it is a stepping stone. This is a transition onto other things in life, a career, friends, family, and hobbies. Life happens too, so if your plans have to change, that is okay. You may wonder if to continue on to your masters or if to change your major. Find what works best for you, and don’t decide based on what others are doing.
What is your most memorable moment while at CSUN?
Going to HR as a student employee and filling out paperwork to be hired on. I was out of my element. I never had a job before and I come from a family that has worked in labor, where they are hired by word of mouth. So, getting my first job in an office-setting was different, jarring, and scary.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, running, hiking, and writing. I have recently started reading more poetry to inspire my writing, more specifically intersectional BIPOC poets.