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Opening Reception & Conversation with Agustín Lira - Building a New Future: Art and Activism in the Central Valley by George Ballis

Tue, April 4, 2023 8:25 AM

Please join us for an opening reception to celebrate "Building a New Future: Art and Activism in the Central Valley" - a photograph collection by George Ballis.

Opening Reception

Time: 5:00pm
Location: 2nd Floor, Kolligian Library
Audience: All are Welcome

Light refreshments will be provided.

 

Conversation with Agustín Lira

Time: 6:30pm
Location: COB 1-116
Audience: All are Welcome, limited seating capacity so plan to arrive on time.
 
 

 

EVENT DETAILS AND PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

 

Following the opening reception for the current exhibit, Building a New Future: Art and Activism in the Central Valley—Photographs by George Ballis, the Library is hosting a conversation with Agustín Lira moderated by Manuel M. Martín Rodríguez, Professor of Literature and Cultures at UC Merced.

Agustín Lira is a singer, songwriter, and director who was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship in 2007 and the California Arts Council Legacy Award in 2022. He co-founded El Teatro Campesino in 1965 in the midst of the United Farm Workers’ Great Delano Grape Strike. He has taught theater, music, and creative writing in academic, community, and arts organizations throughout California. His most recent recording is Songs of Struggle & Hope, available on the Smithsonian Folkways label.

Elsevier Access Suspended

Wed, July 10, 2019 9:50 AM

The University of California has been out of contract with Elsevier since January, but until now the publisher continued to allow access to 2019 articles via ScienceDirect. As of today, July 10, 2019 UC’s direct access to new Elsevier articles has been discontinued.

What is affected: Members of the UC community no longer have direct access to:

  • 2019 articles in all Elsevier journals
  • Older articles in certain journals (download the list)

What is not affected: Articles published before 2019 in most Elsevier journals (covering about 95% of historical usage) should continue to be available via ScienceDirect.

*Please note that the process for discontinuing access is complex, so access to specific journals or articles may fluctuate until Elsevier’s rollout of these changes is complete.*

The systemwide faculty Senate has encouraged stakeholders across UC to use alternative access methods or contact their campus library for assistance in obtaining articles, and to refrain from any new independent subscriptions to Elsevier journals at this time. “By ‘holding the line,’” the Senate leadership writes, “the UC can help change the system of scholarly communication for the betterment of all.”

How to get the articles you need

Information about other ways to access Elsevier articles is available on the library’s website and summarized below. There are several options — plus, the library is always here to help.

  • Use tools like Google Scholar, Unpaywall and Open Access Button to quickly find open access copies, when available.
  • Email the corresponding author listed in the abstract to request a copy.
  • Use the interlibrary loan request form (any request for content no longer licensed through Elsevier will automatically be placed into a special queue).
  • Contact our Interlibrary Loan staff at ucmill@ucmerced.edu so we can best meet your needs.

What happens next?

We will be carefully evaluating the impact of losing access to new articles on ScienceDirect over the coming months, and will do our best to ensure that you have access to the articles you need. Meanwhile, UC is hoping to reenter formal negotiations with Elsevier if the publisher indicates that they are willing to discuss a contract that integrates our goals of containing costs and facilitating open access to UC research.

If you have any questions or need help accessing an article, please don’t hesitate to contact the library at any time.

Haipeng Li, University Librarian
Kurt Schnier, Chair, Academic Senate
Teenie Matlock, Vice Provost for the Faculty
Maria DePrano, Chair, Committee on Library and Scholarly Communications

UC Merced Library Welcomes Polly Peralta, Archives Specialist

Tue, May 26, 2026 9:30 AM

It is the Library’s great pleasure to introduce the latest addition to UC Merced’s Archives and Special Collections team, Polly Peralta. Polly Peralta is our new Archives Specialist, who helps the team to process archival collections. Polly joined the library in May 2025 and hit the ground running with all the different projects that the Archives is undertaking. 

We were able to sit down with Polly to ask her some questions about joining the Archives & Special Collections Team!

What are you looking forward to the most about working for the UC Merced Library?

I am glad to be working in an archive that preserves Central Valley history.  This is my first full-time position working in the Archive fields. I had experience before as a student intern at Fresno State at the Viticulture and Enology Library. 

What is your favorite collection to work on so far?

My favorite collection that I have encounter so far is the Federal Women's Social Club from the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks as well as many of the 4H Series from various UC Cooperative Extension collections. I really enjoy the 1950s and 1960s aesthetics, so I enjoy seeing the vintage styles in the Federal Women's Social Club’s photograph albums. The 4-H series has some retro Halloween decorations and cooking recipes that were found within the series.

What is one past achievement that you're most proud of?

Getting my Master of Science in Library and Information Science. When I was younger, I had a hard time with schooling. Once I found the right field, it helped me navigate higher education. My master’s degree is the culmination of all my hard work.

What would you like to accomplish or learn in your new role?

I am very excited to work full time in the archives. My long-term goal is to become an archivist. There are plenty of opportunities to develop my skills such as processing, preservation skills, and sharing history with the wider community. 

Two rows of shelving with grey archival boxes; individual between rows face right shelf and reach up for an archival box

Polly Peralta retrieving archival materials from storage.

 

UC Merced Library Celebrates the Graduating Class of 2026

Fri, May 15, 2026 10:35 AM
Author: 
Paulina Allende

Class of 2026. UC Merced library student graduates. Congratulation! UC Merced Library logo.

Celebrating the graduating Class of 2026

This weekend, UC Merced will welcome thousands of graduates, family members, friends and supporters to campus as we celebrate Commencement 2026. 

The weekend begins with the Graduate Division ceremony today, Friday, May 15 at 6pm on the UC Merced Recreation Field. 

The School of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities ceremony will take place tomorrow, Saturday, May 16 starting at 9am. 

A joint ceremony for the School of Engineering and the School of Natural Sciences will be celebrated starting at 9am on Sunday, May 17. 

Mechanical Engineering graduate and student library employee, Robert Hicks will be the student speaker for Sunday's ceremony. Congratulations, Robert! 

We recently asked our graduating students some questions about their time at UC Merced and their future plans. 
 

Library Services Graduates

Mila Arévalo

Mila is graduating with a degree in Psycholy & a Minor in Cognitive Science. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

You cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. 

What are your plans after graduation?

Continue working, provide for my family, and continue achieving my goals and dreams. 

 

Jasmine Benson

Jasime is graduating with a degree in Public Health and a minor in Psychology.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Try not to get so distracted by the thoughts and actions of others. Trust your gut and do whatever makes you happy. 

What are your plans after graduation?

Taking a gap year to work before applying to grad school to get a MPH in Epidemiology. 

 

Isabelle Condella

Isabelle is graduating with a degree in Management and Business Economics and a Minor in Psychology.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

To take time to prioritize yourself. 

What are your plans after graduation?

To work and get my master's degree. 

 

Liliana Flores

Liliana is graduating with a degree in Molecular and Cell BIology.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to give herself grace and trust that everything will work out. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate, I plan to spend some time traveling and working while applying to MRI tech programs. 

 

Johanna Hernandez

Johanna is graduating with a degree in Public Health and a Minor in Psychology

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self not to stress so much about having everything figured out right away. Also, that it's okay to take breaks. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to work, travel, and take some time for myself before applying to grad school! 

 

Robert Hicks

Robert is graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What is your favorite memory from UC Merced?

My favorite memory from UC Merced is being part of ASUCM, where I had the opportunity to connect more deeply with both the campus and the broader student community.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is not to stress too much, because in the end, things have a way of working out. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to move to the East Coast to begin a full-time role as an engineer. Before starting my career, I'm also looking forward to traveling abroad this summer and taking time to experience something new. 

 

Chidi Onu

Chidi is graduating with a degree in Sociology and a Minor in Business Mangement & Economics. 

What is your favorite memory from UC Merced?

Gaining the skills and experience of living independently from my parents. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

I would tell myself to save more money. 

What are your plans after graduation?

My plans are to get a job with my degree, complete prerequisites for DPT school, and become a physical therapist. 

 

Jessica Perez

Jessica is graduating with a degree in Human BIology & a Minor in Psychology. 

What is your favorite memory from UC Merced?

My favorite memory from UC Merced would have to be living in Tenaya during my first year. I met friends who lived next door and my boyfriend in my same floor. It's crazy that one of my coworkers also lived there, and I didn't even know it. It's incredible how many memories the building holds, some of which I didn't even know existed. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

One piece of advice I would tell my younger self is to enjoy life and don't overthink. 

 

Technology Services Graduates

Cian Guerrero

Cian is graduating with a degree in Cognitive Science. 

What is your favorite memory from UC Merced?

My favorite memory from UC Merced was joining my friends at a Denny's after one of my most stressful finals weeks. 

What are your plans after graduation?

I've already planned a few trips for the next two months after graduation. After that, I'm planning to accet an internship for a role in IT. 

 

Jason Yeung

Jason is graduating with a degree in Cognitive Science & a Minor in Psychology.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to be patient. 

What are your plans after graduation?

I plan to take a gap year and continue looking for jobs or look at grad school! Most importantly, take time for myself!

 

Interlibrary Loan Services Graduates 

Jose Meza-Pantoja

Jose is graduating with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy and a Minor in Spanish.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

If I had to tell my younger self anything, it'd be to take care of yourself and not worry about the things you cannot control. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will be taking some time to recharge and get some experience in schools before I commit to getting my MA in School Psychology. 

 

Zinedine Valdez-Delgado

Zinedine is graduating with degress in Biological Sciences and Public Health.

What is your favorite memory from UC Merced?

Starting the Hispanics in Healthcare Club. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

One piece of advice I would give would be to start studying two weeks before the exam not two days before. 

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on attending medical school and pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery. 

 

GIS Center Graduates

Flavio Herrera

 

Congratulations to all of the Class of 2026 graduates! 

Stephanie Madrigal Wins Library Sticker Design Contest

Tue, May 12, 2026 12:40 PM
Author: 
Paulina Allende

UC Merced library logo. Sticker Design Contest. Square sticker design with stained glass inspired elements and a deer. Empowering Researchers. library.ucmerced.edu. Grand Prize Winner Stephanie Madrigal.

On March 18, 2026, the Library launched a sticker design contest across our campus community, open to all undergraduate students. 

After the success of our Mammoth-inspired Library Sticker Contest during Spring 2025, we decided to repeat our sticker contest for Spring 2026. 

In honor of William Poulson's Four Seasons of Yosemite, stained glass murals in KL 360 we asked students to submit designs inspired by parts of a mural, or the murals as a collective. 

The murals are a culmination of over 30 years of drawing, design, fine craftsmanship, and inspiration from the extraordinary beauty of the Yosemite Valley, the words of John Muir, and the paintings of artist Albert Bierstadt. Poulson's desire to capture the beauty of the Yosemite Valley inspired him to conceive the Four Seasons fo Yosemite Mural Project. 

Within our one-month deadline, we received almost 15,000 views on our Instagram post, and some incredible submissions from UC Merced students. 

A library panel composed of 30 members of our library staff voted on the submissions and came up with our top three designs. We then asked for our campus community to vote via Instagram for the winning design. In collaboration with our campus partners, who shared our post 74 times across Instagram, we received 157 votes from Instagram users to decide on the winning design. With 54% of the votes, Stephanie Madrigal's imaginative design was crowned this year's winner. 

Stephanie is a third year Management and Business Economics major from Menlo Park. She loves to draw and is a Senior Workleader at the Library. As part of her submission, she shared the following about the design, "The design is inspired by William Poulson's Four Seasons of Yosemite stained glass mural. It is a framed stained glass portrait of a small baby deer and flowers. The colors in the image represent the colors found in the mural that is showcased in KL 380." 

Congratulations to Stephanie for her winning submission! Our new Library stickers will be printed during the summer in time for distributions at Library events during the 2026-2027 Academic Year. 
 

Storytelling with Jeff Chang

Fri, May 8, 2026 4:15 PM

Jeff Chang at UC Merced Library on Thursday, 7 May 2026.

We had a wonderful time welcoming author Jeff Chang to campus yesterday. Chang shared his unconventional journey as a writer leading to his most recent book, Water Mirro Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America. 

Chang talked about how his journey shaped him as a writer. From his time as a student organizer at Berkeley, to his experiences advocating for affordable education in Sacramento, and particularly how hosting a hip-hop show on the student-run KDVS radio station in Davis, inspired him to write. Chang spoke about how his exploration of the relationship between hip hop music and culture, race and politics which rattled 90s culture led him to write his books: Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, Who We Be: A Cultural History of Race in Post-Civil Rights America, and We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. 

His talk highlighted the importance of trust when telling others' stories, the central role of interviews and archival research in understanding Bruce Lee, and a positive perspective on distraction in the writing process. 

What a meaningful and inspiring way to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month! 

Many thanks to Chef Mitch and EJIE for inviting Jeff Chang to campus and providing another copy of Water Mirror Echo for the UC Merced Library collection. 

Visit the UC Merced newsroom for Cultural Historian Jeff Chang Brings Bruce Lee's Legacy to UC Merced for AANHPI Month (13 May 2026).

Library: After Hours

Fri, May 1, 2026 9:30 AM

ASUCM, in collaboration with the Library, UC Merced PD, Campus Auxiliaries, and the Lantern Cafe are excited to provide extended study hours for students in preparation for final exams. CatCard will be required for entry. 

For a limited time only, KL 355 in the Library will be open 24 hours. The rest of the Library will be closed. 

Library: After Hours Dates and Times

  • Sunday, May 3 (midnight - 7:00am Monday morning)
  • Monday, May 4 (midnight - 7:00am Tuesday morning)
  • Tuesday, May 5 (midnight - 7:00am Wednesday morning)
  • Wednesday, May 6 (midnight - 7:00am Thursday morning)
  • Thursday, May 7 (midnight - 7:00am Friday morning)
  • Sunday, May 10 (midnight - 7:00am Monday morning)
  • Monday, May 11 (midnight - 7:00am Tuesday morning)

During "Library: After Hours" the room will only be accessible through the elevator or stairwell in the west wing, by the Bobcat Advising Center and the Workforce Onboarding Hub. 

Coffee will be provided by Campus Auxiliaries and the Lantern Cafe at midnight each day, and study snacks will be provided by the Library. 

Study tips: 

  • Take regular breaks and study in focused intervals. 
  • Remember to stay hydrated.
  • Get plenty of sleep. 
  • Reach out to campus resources if you need help. 

We wish you the best of luck on your finals Bobcats! 
 

10 Hidden Treasures from UC Special Collections

Fri, April 24, 2026 8:50 AM

Published today! UC’s Newsroom features extraordinary objects in UC Libraries including UC Merced’s own Archives & Special Collections.

“Tucked away in quiet reading rooms and climate-controlled stacks across the libraries of the University of California are collections that rival the great museums in the world.” 

The 10 highlights include costume designs from UC Merced professor emerita Dunya Ramicova. Her vivid illustrations are available for viewing in Calisphere.

Visit “10 hidden treasures from UC special collections” for more delights ranging from Shakespeare’s First Folio to photographs of Death Valley. 

Here’s to National Library Week, 2026 and the amazing collections stewarded by the UC Libraries. Cheers!

Three illustrations including woman in teal dress with the head of a bird, woman in a gold robe and red backdrop, and man in orange spacesuit

Above: Multiple images from the Dunya Ramicova costume design collection

 

Illustration of woman in fitted blazer and shirt in yellow with black shoes, broach and buttons; partial pencil drawings of purse and jacket at right

Ariadne Utterwood -- Act 1

 

Illustration of three men each in different attire including casual shirt and short pants, to black boots, pants, coat and cloak, to decorative dress with green and red cloak and hat

Boyet, Marcade, and Don Adriano De Armado

 

Color illustrations of four couriers in ornate clothing

Courtiers

 

 

Author Mark Arax Wraps Up Residency with Lecture on California’s ‘Last Extraction’

Mon, April 20, 2026 12:25 PM

Mark Arax made a class visit last week and will give a closing lecture, Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30pm in the Lakireddy Auditorium (Room 102 in COB 1) titled The Last Extraction: The Contradiction that is California. The event will feature a student panel and end with a reception.

Read more about Arax’s writer in residence experience and his impact on students in UC Merced’s Newsroom article released today. 

The 2025-2026 Writer in Residence program has been a collaboration between the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) and the UC Merced Library.

Mark Arax seated at left speaks to class with five students at right seated around a table.

Mark Arax speaks in Professor Rouff's class, The Golden Road: California History as US History (13 April 2026)

Mark Arax and student stand and face each other talking in a classroom

Mark Arax at left and student at right, stand in classroom

Mark Arax and Professor David Rouff stand and face camera

Author Mark Arax (left), UC Merced faculty David Rouff (right), Associate Professor in the Department of History, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

 

Using Medical Subject Headings in PubMed

Mon, April 13, 2026 3:05 PM

UC Merced Library logo. MeSH logo. Using Medical Subject Headings in PubMed.

This workshop offers a brief but informative introduction to MeSH, or Medical Subject Headings, and their uses in PubMed to narrow and focus searches. MeSH can be an important way to limit searches to particular populations and/or audiences, as well as pinpoint medical conditions, epidemiology, and more. While all are welcome, this workshop is most suited to those with an understanding of basic PubMed searching.  

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm

Location: KL 371

Register to this informative library workshop. 

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