Pepperdine Libraries Awards $20K to Faculty in Support of Open Access Publishing
Several years ago, as part of our commitment to supporting open scholarly inquiry, Pepperdine Libraries began awarding open access publishing stipends to faculty. To date, the program has been tremendously successful, awarding more than $20,000 to nearly a dozen faculty members. And, we just recently increased the amount available faculty can apply for. The stipends are used to pay publishers for their article processing charges to prepare articles for open access publication.
Libraries Impacting Learning
Pepperdine Libraries is committed to making a meaningful impact on student learning, and we do it in a variety of ways. We make it seamless for students to access physical and online materials and to connect with librarians. Our staff of experts partners with faculty to make course reserves, including scans of book chapters, articles, and other materials, available 24/7 to students via their Courses/Sakai page. Our Genesis Lab and Special Collections librarians help students utilize new technologies and integrate archival collections into their coursework.
New Archivist Christopher Miehl Excited to Help Preserve Pepperdine’s History
Pepperdine Libraries is pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Miehl to the position of university archivist. Miehl, who holds a master's in library and information studies from UCLA, will oversee the acquisition, description, and preservation of the library’s growing archival assets.
Pepperdine Libraries Invites Recently Tenured Faculty to Comment on Inspirational Books
Recently tenured faculty members have been invited to select a book title that is personally or professionally significant to them. Pepperdine Libraries honored their achievement with a decorative bookplate placed on the inside cover of their chosen book. The books are on display at Payson Library.
Kristin Hronek Acquires the Resources You Need for Teaching, Learning, and Research
Meet this month’s featured staff member, library acquisitions supervisor Kristin Hronek. Kristin joined the Pepperdine Libraries team at the end of the 2022 spring term, coming from her alma mater CSU Channel Islands where she worked in the Registrar's Office for more than a decade as an academic records evaluation specialist. At CSUCI, she helped students navigate graduation requirements, evaluated transfer coursework, and advised military-connected students on their federal education benefits. Kristin also holds an MLIS degree from San Jose State University, and when we chatted for this interview, she explained she chose Pepperdine to both continue her work in higher education but also pivot to a career in librarianship.
Preserving History for Future Generations
If you've spent any time in Payson Library, you're probably at least somewhat familiar with our Boone Special Collections and University Archives. You may have walked by the Reading Room and witnessed a researcher going through an archival box full of documents and photographs. Perhaps you strolled by the Seminar Room and saw a librarian teaching a class in the presence of centuries-old manuscripts. Or, you glanced into the Processing Room and saw student employees sorting through letters and typing information into a computer. But what is going on behind the scenes? Learn about what Pepperdine Libraries is doing to ensure the preservation of history for generations to come.
Public Services Supervisor Lorene Duffy Shares Her Love of Working at Drescher
This month's featured staff member, Lorene Duffy, began her role as public services supervisor at Drescher Graduate Campus Library in August 2022. As luck would have it, the position opened up not long after her husband, Chad Duffy, accepted a faculty position at Seaver College. The fact that both were hired from outside the state confirmed that the move from Ohio to California was not only feasible, but was, in Lorene's own words, "meant to be." Director of library program and public affairs Jeffrey Bowen took the campus shuttle up to Drescher to find out from Lorene more about her work for Pepperdine Libraries.
Libraries' Larry Donnell Kimmons Memorial Book Collection Preserves Rare Books by Notable Black Authors
The Larry Donnell Kimmons Memorial Book Collection is devoted to the memory of Larry Kimmons, who on March 12, 1969, was tragically shot and killed by a security guard on the George Pepperdine College campus. Each year since 2019, a volume has been added to the Pepperdine Special Collections in memory of Larry Kimmons, and in conjunction with the Larry Kimmons Memorial Lecture Series hosted by Pepperdine. The collection consists of limited edition and rare printings of notable works by Black writers and poets, which through the Libraries' Boone Special Collections and Archives, are available to students, faculty, and staff. To date, there are four books in the collection, and a fifth one will be dedicated in March 2024.
Librarian Sally Bryant Celebrates 20 Years at Pepperdine
Sally Bryant, associate university librarian for public services and instruction, just hit the 20-year mark of working for Pepperdine Libraries, so she was a natural choice for this month’s featured profile. She began her career right after earning her MLIS degree from San Jose State University, first working in the Drescher Graduate Campus Library before moving up the ranks, including head of access services, and now her current role, which she started two years ago. Director of library programming and public affairs Jeffrey Bowen sat down with Sally to learn more about the department she heads.
Religious Iconography in Johnny Quintanilla’s Art
Last month, Pepperdine Libraries opened its exhibition of Johnny Quintanilla's paintings and drawings in the Payson Library Exhibit Gallery. His works are full of symbolism, and even though he likes when viewers form their own meanings about the works, for him they’re deeply personal. His identity as a Salvadoran American who celebrates Los Angeles’ Latino heritage is evident in his work. Director of library programming and public affairs Jeffrey Bowen examined the religious iconography in Quintanilla's art, particularly in his depictions of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
