This endowment is a milestone for the California State University system, CSUN, and the University Library, since there are currently no Endowed Librarians at any of the California State University campuses. This unprecedented bequest by Richard Nupoll, in loving memory of his wife Karin, will support an Endowed Librarian, who will oversee collection development as the bibliographer for the Teacher Curriculum Center (TCC) in the University Library, for multiple departments in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, and for related disciplines in other colleges on the CSUN campus. The Endowed Librarian will deliver information literacy instruction, research consultation, and outreach to students and faculty in the field of education and related disciplines that use the resources of the TCC. The Dr. Karin J. Durán and Richard Nupoll Education Librarian will also be known as the TCC Librarian. Karin met Richard while working as student assistants at the San Fernando Valley State College (now CSUN) Library. They married in 1971, with a beautiful bond that lasted nearly 39 years, until Karin’s unexpected passing in 2010. Her loss sent a ripple effect across the campus, as she was a valued and loved colleague, mentor, and friend.
About Dr. Karin J. Durán
Karin took her education to the highest level, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish at San Fernando Valley State College, a master of library science degree from the University of Southern California, followed by a doctorate in library information management from USC. She worked in the Library at CSUN from 1972 – 2010, and served as the Director of the TCC for 32 years. Through her dedication, the TCC became the valuable resource that it is today. As a passionate advocate, Karin’s mission was to support the educational success of all students regardless of their backgrounds. She was especially supportive of students who were the first in their family to attend college. Karin was dedicated to providing students with lifelong research tools and critical thinking skills. Her professional commitment to information literacy and student success was expressed through the many contributions she made to the University Library. Upon her retirement, she was designated as Librarian Emerita.
About Richard Nupoll
In 1970, Rick Nupoll earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in theater, from San Fernando Valley State College. The next year, he earned a teaching credential in history. In 1976, he earned a K-12 library services credential from Cal State Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in education (with a special interest in libraries and media) in 1977. Rick’s love of libraries was evident as a school librarian at Vail High School in Montebello for 10 years, before earning an administrative credential from CSUN in 1985. He went on to work for the Los Angeles County Office of Education as an instructional technology consultant for 27 years, and retired in 2012.
In a CSUN Today interview, Rick shared, "This endowment is very important to me because I believe that the University Library’s Teacher Curriculum Center must be reinvigorated as an essential resource for all CSUN students, those training to be teachers, and working teachers in the community. I am confident that the new endowed librarian selected for this position will have crucial leadership skills, strong communication skills, and a willingness and interest in reaching out across campus and partnering with the diverse populations that make up our community."
We are proud of the enduring legacy created in the University Library that beautifully honors the unforgettable educator and person that Karin was.