News & Professional Development

DEIA and Community College Library Databases and an MLA Plus Quick Look Review

In the midst of the pandemic, the Community College Library (CCL) board renewed its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Past CCL president, Leslie Tirapelle, affirmed in the [*update link] CCL Outlook (September, 2020)  that the CCL will “promote the acquisition of collections and resources that support inclusive and anti-racist programs and curriculum, that are reflective of the community at large.” For the past two years, the CCL-EAR committee has been considering our role in supporting students through a DEIA lens. The committee recently formalized a DEIA statement that was approved at the recent CCL board meeting. This statement will guide the work of the CCL-EAR committee as we evaluate and consider databases that support our diverse students.  

• The CCL-EAR committee will view electronic resources, databases, and information with equity considerations in mind. This includes: 
  • the representation available in the content on a platform, and 
  •  actions by the vendor, including: 
    • accessibility, 
    • representation among content area experts, 
    • equity statements, and 
    • their response to CCL values and concerns with respect to equity issues. 
  • The committee will bring DEIA issues to the attention of the vendor and our colleagues and 
  • will advocate for increased representation of historically-underrepresented groups
     

MLA Handbook Quick Look Review [*update link]

The CCL-EAR committee has a Quick Look review of the MLA Handbook ready for you as you consider upcoming database purchases and renewals. The review is available on the [*update link] CCL-EAR committee portion of the CCL website in the Reviews section. In the summary of our review we noted that the MLA Handbook Plus (MHP) merits further attention because it provides convenient online access to the recent edition of the MLA Handbook (9th edition). Library access to an electronic version of the MLA Handbook (9th edition) is only available through a subscription to MHP. We encourage you to read the [*update link] MLA Handbook Plus Quick Look for more information, and consider a trial to explore MLA Handbook Plus if you think that this database might meet the needs of your students.

It is hard to believe that the 2022 semester is quickly drawing to a close. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Past Chair and current Vice Chair Tami Weintraub, for her many years of service on the EAR Committee, both as an area representative and as a leader through the online years of the pandemic. I have heard Tami repeatedly state that serving on the CCL-EAR committee has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her academic library career. The CCL-EAR committee continues to benefit from her kindness, knowledge, and leadership. Thank you, Tami!

Dr. Nancy Golz
CCL-EAR, Chair
Faculty Librarian
Merced College
nancy.golz@mccd.edu

Congratulations to Newly Tenured Librarians!

Better late than never -- Rio Hondo College Library is proud to announce that 3 of our full-time faculty librarians have been granted tenure in Spring 2022!

Librarian Young Lee previously worked as an attorney until he made a career change and worked as the Reference and Electronic Services Librarian at the University of La Verne Law Library. Young joined Rio in November 2017 and has since been our de facto Electronic Resources Librarian (and provider of donuts, pastries, and other sweets to our Library Division).

Librarian Claudia Rivas started at Rio as a student, then as an adjunct instructor, and then as an adjunct librarian until August 2018 when she became a full-time librarian. Claudia has accomplished many feats in Library Outreach, including increasing our social media presence, obtaining library swag for student giveaways, and introducing Zines to Rio students through library workshops and orientations.

Librarian Brian Young started at Rio as a Library Intern while attending San Jose State University for his MLIS. Shortly after completing his program, he joined Rio as an adjunct librarian and eventually became full-time in August 2018. Brian is our editor-in-chief for our library newsletter (called The Library Checkout) which is published every semester to inform faculty and students with library-related news.

Congratulations to all!

Addressing the Whole Student 

By Sally Ellis, Riverside City College

In 2017, Riverside City College (RCC) Library conducted a poll, asking students to rank 15 library improvements they would like to see implemented. The options included adding board games, water bottle refill stations, a full-sized skeleton, and food vending machines. The top ranked improvement was the addition of nap pods. In cooperation with facilities and the cafeteria, and as budgets and small donations allowed, we have implemented each of these wishes.

As many CCL librarians, deans, and directors are aware, our students have long struggled with juggling work, family, school obligations and, more recently, increasing housing insecurities. We hoped to mitigate some of those stressors by creating a quiet, softly lit area where students could lie back and recoup some energy. We also wanted to meet the needs of our praying students, as they have been spotted in the stacks in the past, looking for privacy.

Unfortunately, sleeping pods were prohibitively expensive. Instead, we opted for leather recliners. An under-utilized 270 sq.ft. alcove was sectioned off with a portable room divider and outfitted with seven recliners. Donations of a wave-sound machine, vaporizing mister and oils, a prayer rug, and salt lamp for warm lighting, completed the space. Other supplies donated or repurposed included colored pencils with coloring pages, origami paper, fidget poppers, plants, and stuffed animals. After a second poll of users, we added blankets and throw pillows, both of which are used daily. Still to be installed is a donated tv with DVD player, which will play silent nature videos. A third poll determined the name of the room, The Serenity Lounge.

We had no official “opening,” and have not announced or marketed the space formally. We have, however, mentioned it in personal conversations with contacts on campus, specifically in speaking with faculty that work with our Guardian Scholars and in our RCC Buy Nothing Group, where we have asked for needed items. We’ve found that word of mouth is a powerful thing when comfortable seating is involved and have overheard campus chatter recommending the space.

This project was spearheaded by Shannon Hammock, our Technical Services Librarian, who is always on the lookout for ways to improve our space in both form and functionality. We consider this project to be a resounding success as the chairs are in constant use by sleeping students, and we have placed an order for four more. Our students have expressed their appreciation of the space through messages on origami paper, the whiteboard, and by tucking the stuffed animals in for a nap, all bringing satisfaction and a little laughter to our days.

Knowing that the path to successful completion at a Community College requires acknowledging and addressing the whole student, we at the Riverside Community College Library are happy to support their academic, as well as their physical and psychological needs.

LBCC Library Zen Den

By Shamika J. Simpson, Long Beach City College

The Long Beach City College Library is excited to announce the installation of The Zen Den. The Zen Den is an indoor green space designed to promote well-being. It is a quiet space where people can relax in the tranquil atmosphere, meditate, take a break, de-stress, practice breathwork and center themselves. The Zen Den features a calming, cool - color scheme and includes vines on the wall, faux succulent wall art, faux grass rugs, bean bags, and comfortable chairs. The Zen Den room is also wheelchair accessible.

 

 

Why a Green Space?

Regarding office green spaces and employee engagement, Pamela DeLoatch writes, "[A]cademic research suggests that green spaces can relieve mental fatigue, which can improve employee work performance, satisfaction, learning, inquisitiveness and alertness¹." While this article focuses on employees, all of the benefits of green spaces and wellness apply to the student body as well. Spending time outdoors in nature is best, but when this isn't possible, bringing elements of nature into indoor offices can improve wellbeing and reduce stress.

At the LBCC Library we put students first and are continuously implementing new and innovative services and resources that focus on well-rounded students and their unique and individual needs.

We've received many kudos and verbal feedback from students, staff and faculty on how much they love having this space. The Library will use a Happy or Not survey machine to capture additional qualitative data and quantitative data.

The Zen Den supports the following LBCC Strategic Plan Goals:

● Goal: Through fostering a culture of care and collegiality, students and employees will feel supported, valued, and respected.

○ Focus on the institution’s role in creating positive experiences for students and employees:

● Goal: Focus on the institution’s role in creating positive experiences for students and employees

○ Further invest in mental health supports for students

● Goal: Create spaces/activities for employees to connect, build community and relationships, and share best practices and experiences

○ Support employee participation in events and programs on campus

The Zen Den is located in the LAC Library (1st floor) and is open during regular Library hours. For more information, please contact Shamika J Simpson (she/her/mrs.) at ssimpson@lbcc.edu.
 

Special Thanks

The Zen Den would not be possible without the contributions of the donors:

● Simpson & Simpson Garden

● Dele C. Ladejobi, Librarian

● Dr. Paul Creason, Dean of Health and Science

● Jeffrey Sabol, Librarian.

Last but certainly not least, we are grateful for those who labored to make the Zen Den come to life: Tamara Lincoln, Student Success Instructional Aide and student workers, Ryan Guade and Sofia Galindo.
 

Learn More

● Dewar, G. (2022). How green spaces benefit mental health. Parenting Science.

● Key benefits why you should have an artificial plant in the office. (2019, Dec 1).
 

References

Remembering a Legend, Bobbie Smith

By Dele C. Ladejobi, Long Beach City College

Bobbie Smith (née Bobbie Jean Davis) was born and raised in Mississippi, United States. She attended grade school in Mississippi during the trials of segregation era and experienced the harsh discrimination of Jim Crow laws. She received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in religious education from Eureka College and a master's degree in Library Science from the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana. Bobbie was married to her high school sweetheart, Herbert (“Herb”) Smith,” a famous basketball player on the Harlem Globetrotters for 35 years and they had two children.  

 

Bobbie and her family moved to California in 1965 in the midst of the Watts Riots. In the late 1960s, she was hired as the Audio-Visual Department librarian at LBCC. She was the first African American librarian to be employed at LBCC. She previously worked in the Los Angeles County Library system in their audiovisual department. Bobbie was successful in raising the stature of the LBCC Audiovisual Department at a time when technology was becoming more important in education. Under her guidance, the department was eventually elevated to the status of Media Services Department, and she served as its director for several years prior to being elected Library Department Head. She served in that capacity until her retirement in 1992.
 
During her tenure as librarian, Bobbie served on numerous college committees, and she was active in both state and national library organizations.  She achieved many noteworthy accomplishments, such as, the first African American to be elected the Academic Senate President where she served multiple terms; and the first African American to serve as the Faculty Union President. She was also responsible for the introduction of automation and computer use in the LBCC libraries.

In 1988 she became the first African American elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education and served four terms as President. In this capacity, she facilitated the restructure and reform of the schools in her district. Bobbie made a positive mark on Long Beach local history in 2014, when the former Peter Burnett Elementary School was renamed in her honor in recognition of her role, impact and contributions to the community. This event was important and meaningful because the elementary school shed its namesake from a racist, White supremacist California governor and slaveholder to claim a new forward-looking identity in which students could now take pride. According to Bobbie, this accomplishment was “a lifetime achievement” and the “GEOT – Grammy, Emmy, Oscar, Tony award all rolled into one.

Bobbie is fondly remembered for her physical beauty, charm, wit, humor, and charisma. She was so elegant and had a distinguished aura about her. Bobbie was an incredible mentor, multi-talented and creative. She had amazing compassion and empathy and was extremely generous and supportive.

Bobbie passed away in California on July 20, 2022 at the age of 90.

To learn more about Bobbie:

• “Herbert Smith (1931-1991)”. Find a Grave Memorial (Online) November 16, 1991. Accessed August 10, 2022. 
• LBUSD News. “Paying Tribute to Dr. King.” (Online) January 21, 2016. Accessed August 10, 2022. 
• LBUSD News. “Remembering Bobbie Smith.” (Online) July 21,2022. Accessed August 10, 2022. 
• LBUSD News. “Smith School Celebrates Its New Name” (Online) December 19, 2014. Accessed August 10, 2022. 
• Wilkin, Binnie Tate. “Bobbie Smith: Former Coordinator of Libraries Long Beach City College and Recently Retired Member and President Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education.” In African American Librarians in the Far West: Pioneers and Trailblazers, 221–28. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2006.