Copley Connects Fall 2025 / Spring 2026

WRITING IN VISUAL FORM: NOÉ OLIVAS’ NEON ART INSTALLATION p. 4

SAN DIEGO’S FRENCH CONNECTION p. 6

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: MILLICENT FULLMER p. 8

EVENTS p. 10

COPLEY CONNECTS COPLEY LIBRARY EXPLORE | DISCOVER | SUCCEED VOL. 11, ISSUE 6, Fall 2025 / Spring 2026

Table of Contents Message From the Dean

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Writing in Visual Form: noé olivas’ Neon Art Installation

San Diego’s French Connection

Instagrammable Moments: A Librarian’s Reflections on San Diego and USD Copley Celebrates the 3rd Annual Filipino American History 10 Copley Library Hosts the Inaugural Student Success Symposium 11 Veterans/Armistice Day: Veterans for Peace Visit Copley Library 11 UDEM and USD Sign Sister Libraries MOU 12 Cruising Through History: The Lowrider Stamp Unveiling 13 Copley Reads 14 Cultural Mosaic: Celebrating Asian American and 15 Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 10 Month Event Banned Books Week

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Social Media Published twice a year by: Copley Library University of San Diego 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110 Copley Connects is also available on our website at www.sandiego.edu/library. Dr. Theresa S. Byrd Dean of the University Library tsbyrd@sandiego.edu Copley Connects Review Committee: Martha Adkins

Contact your liaison librarian or email copley@sandiego.edu for more information

Research & Instruction Librarian, Editor Research & Instruction Librarian and Coordinator of Instruction and Undergraduate Learning

Hugh Burkhart

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Michael Conlee Cindy Espineli Millicent Fullmer Jordan Kobayashi Michael Massaro

Archives/Digital Initiatives Assistant

Executive Assistant

Acquisitions and Cataloging Librarian

Continuing Resources and Licensing Assistant Engineering and Computer Science Librarian

Cover image: noé olivas. Que sueñes con los angelitos . 2022. Neon. 60x60x60 inches. Photo courtesy of the artist and Elon Schoenholz.

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Message from the Dean

C opley cherishes the Arts, Connections, and Events. The cover of this issue of Copley Connects features noé olivas, a USD alum, educator, and artist. noé’s art piece titled, Que sueñes con los angelitos , translates in English to, “may you dream of little angels.” This circular neon sign, located next to the Access Services Desk, is a centerpiece on the library’s first floor. Additionally, artwork by Joe Yorty, a former Facilities Manager in USD’s Art Department, was displayed in Copley’s exhibit area from December 2025 through January 2026. Copley purchased Yorty’s artwork, “First Home.” It can be viewed on the first floor near the large classroom. The library hosted several stellar community events. In October, Dr. Regina Gong arranged the third annual Filipino American History Month celebration. The keynote speaker was San Diego Superior Court Judge Rohanee Zapanta, a double alumna (bachelor’s and law) of USD. The evening showcased a cultural dance performance and a Filipino dinner, too. Martha Adkins, Research and Instruction Librarian, partnered with the History Department to present a Veterans/Armistice Day Remembrance activity on November 12, 2025. The Veterans for Peace speakers shared their experiences with the audience. Their talks were riveting and provided depth on the military and war that we could not have imagined. Dr. Gong also hosted a national student success webinar, “Navigating Natalie Baszile was the Black History Month (BHM) speaker on February 23. She spoke about her novel, Queen Sugar , which inspired Oprah Winfrey’s OWN TV series by the same name. She also discussed her nonfiction book, We Are Each Other’s Harvest . Following her presentation, USD professors Cory Gooding, Kyle E. Brooks, and Olutoyosi (Toyo) Aboderin were part of a panel discussion, “(Re)Claiming Space: A Discussion of Resilience, Loss and Land in Baszile’s Queen Sugar ” on February 25. Later in the Future Together: Student Success Symposium” on November 12, 2025.

the semester, Copley’s signature event of the year, the Provost’s Research and Scholarly Achievement Awards and Reception, was held on April 7. This program continues to grow with 428 faculty submissions included in the 2026 bibliography. I am thrilled to inform you of our international engagements. Copley has a Sister Library, the Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) in Mexico, and five library employees visited UDEM on January 26. UDEM is a Catholic institution similar to USD, but it has more commuter students. Our UDEM host, Lilianna Araujo, was wonderful. We discussed library issues and learned about their library renovation project. Copley’s Dennis-Michael Broussard, Night Supervisor for 22 years, joined Mayor Todd Gloria’s delegation on a trip to Marseille, France, where the mayors signed a Sister Cities agreement. Copley employees’ book recommendations are always fascinating, and new titles appear towards the end of the newsletter. Several library representatives attended the United States Postal Service’s unveiling of the Lowrider Stamp in Barrio Logan on March 13. It was a grand day and significant recognition for the Lowrider community. Congratulations to Dr. Alberto Pulido, who has worked on the Lowrider initiatives, which is Copley’s marquee institutional repository collection. Dr. Theresa S. Byrd DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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Writing in Visual Form: noé olivas’ Neon Art Installation By Millie Fullmer , Acquisitions and Cataloging Librarian

Since Copley’s 2020 renovation, there is space to display inviting works of art by a diverse range of artists. None have been more popular to take pictures with than a neon light installation by USD alum, educator, and artist noé olivas. The multimedia artist was raised in San Diego and is now based in Los Angeles. He received a BFA at USD in 2013 followed by an MFA at USC. I recently met with noé online to discuss his eye-catching piece titled Que sueñes con los angelitos (a circular neon sign in Spanish that in English translates to “may you dream of little angels”). After researching the work, I found it was originally part of a site-specific installation titled Let’s Pray at UCLA’s Hammer Museum, surrounded by multi-media conceptual pieces paying homage to what noé refers to as the “poetics of labor,” which led me to ask if the meaning had changed due to its new location. His answer was yes and no. At the Hammer it was intentionally located in a hidden corner of the outdoor courtyard to be viewed by the afterhours maintenance crew as a special thank you for their invisible but essential labor. When the work was installed in Copley it took on a more personal message as tribute to noé’s parents, who as USD employees used their tuition benefits to give their son a great college education. He smiles

then, mentioning how his wish for the neon piece was to only light up at 4:00 PM in honor of his parent’s shift ending. The text displayed is most commonly known as a bedtime prayer said to a child and reflects the artist’s Mexican Catholic heritage. The sentiment is also an aspirational one for people to emulate angels here on earth by helping others, something he attributes to the service of libraries as free spaces to access knowledge, attend workshops, and other community events. Now that I understood the meaning behind this piece, my curiosity was piqued to know the story behind its physical manifestation. Pondering this, we go down a side topic as noé explains “I sometimes struggle with how involved I can be, a negotiation of sorts, what I am open to letting go of and what must have my hand in it. I have to accept I’m not a master in every medium and want to honor those who are. One of the challenges as a multi-disciplinary artist is having to learn or re-learn certain skills either with someone or by myself. There’s that give and take. I think about my work as writing in visual form. Just like essays, poetry, and other genres of literature — the content determines the material. I’m trained as a conceptual artist, but I also want to find the human heart in my work.”

noé olivas stands in front of his Que sueñes con los angelitos

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In the case of his neon installation, once the design and concept was formed, the next most crucial step was finding the right fabricator and developing a strong relationship with them before proceeding further. When noé receives funding to create art pieces, he then identifies who else he can support financially, a type of creative economy giving back to the community. With this in mind, we move on to discuss noé’s experience as an educator in the visual arts. His pedagogical approach has naturally evolved over time and is now informed with healing in mind, through the writings of bell hooks, Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh, and artist Emory Douglas. He elaborates “I come into the class to recognize the humanity in my students, the faculty and staff at every level. One of the ways I foster a comfortable space in class is through somatic exercises by expert Staci Haines. For example, there’s one called “Length, Width, and Depth” which intersects with mindfulness, abolitionist, and restorative justice practices. We begin by reflecting on how we show up — our dignity, then move onto stretching exercises grounded in gratitude and acknowledging who is present and in relationship to you, concluding with accepting our past and looking towards the future and a world you want to be in.”

He introduces readings to the class, like the negative role art can have as a propaganda tool for oppressive regimes so students can recognize their own power to change the trajectory through art. Moreover, how artists can persuade, motivate, and inspire — to be on the right side of history. Past mentors also influenced his teaching, including current USD professors Allison Wiese and Dr. Jessie Mills who showed kindness and created safe spaces in the classroom. In grad school, USC professor Nao Bustamante asserted that art school is not simply about producing good artists, but more importantly about making better people.

noé olivas speaks with a USD Art class

Turning the subject to libraries, I asked noé what other connections he has to our profession. It turns out the artist is part of a public art council, a funded art program sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture to develop policies around public art initiatives. The downtown LA library has produced several exciting projects that provide important opportunities for local artists. He also speaks of the serious challenges to immigrant communities right now, but recognizes the positive aspects, too, like the coming together and unification of communities. Another altruistic endeavor is the Crenshaw Dairy Mart in Inglewood, CA, which noé is a co-founder. Their statement of purpose describes it as an artist collective and art gallery dedicated to shifting the trauma-induced conditions of poverty and economic injustice, bridging cultural work and advocacy, and investigating ancestries through the lens of Inglewood and its community. To end our conversation, I ask one last question — what are you reading? He admits his wife regularly exposes him to dense academic texts. Right now he is conducting research on a new series of artworks, and the following texts are on his list: Assata Shakur, Assata: An Autobiography (1999); Simone Brown, Dark Matters: On the Surveillance of Blackness (2015); and Kelly Lytle Hernandez, City of Inmates: Conquest, Rebellion, and the Rise of Human Caging in Los Angeles, 1771–1965 (2017). For more information about the artist, please visit his website: https://www.noeolivas.com/

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San Diego’s French Connection By Dennis-Michael Broussard , Night Supervisor

In September 2025, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and Benoît Payan, mayor of Marseille, France, signed an agreement connecting the two cities as Sister Cities — and Copley’s own Dennis-Michael Broussard joined the delegation. We asked Dennis-Michael to share a little bit about his work on the Sister Cities project.

I was on a boat coming back from Catalina Island in 2018 when I first had the idea. I was already a board member of the San Diego International Sister Cities Association (SanDISCA), and was asking senior members about how to create a Sister City: what it entails, what I needed to do, etc. I inquired about the history of each of the then 16 Sister Cities and asked why we didn’t have a French Sister City. My curiosity stemmed from my ethnic and cultural heritage, with my father’s lineage being of French descent. I had already been very involved with the Filipino community in San Diego, as that was my mother’s ethnic background, and I was looking for more ways to get involved with my other side, the French part. The senior members of SanDISCA told me that if I wanted to see a French Sister City, I would have to be the one to lead that initiative. I said, “Okay, but how?” The first step was to have an existing French organization be a “sponsor” or a host, to “champion” the cause. That is when I joined as a member of the House of France in the International Cottages in Balboa Park. I was welcomed as a member in 2019, then eventually joined the board, and let them know of my intentions and desire to create a Sister City relationship with Marseille. I still didn’t know how I was going to do it, but at least I had the vision. I started to ask questions on what I needed to do next. Find a host/sponsor organization — done. Fill out the application for consideration to first be a Friendship City — done. The next step was to make contact with someone in Marseille, France.

L to R: Congressman Scott Peters, Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan, Dennis-Michael Broussard, Dr. Michael McQuary, chair of the San Diego International Sister Cities Association (SanDISCA), San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria

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My role, in addition to dreaming up the idea, has been facilitating the communication between SanDISCA, the City of San Diego, and the City of Marseille. I applied for Friendship City status, which is a lower level and more informal relationship status between cities, which was approved by SanDISCA. I also had to have official approval from the City of San Diego, which I was able to eventually get, as I was previously appointed to the International Affairs Board of the City of San Diego, which serves as an advisory board to the Mayor of San Diego for international affairs and relations. I chose Marseille as a potential French Sister City because of all the things we have in common with each other. In regards to California and France, San Diego and Marseille are both the oldest cities in each, the second largest cities in each, the sunniest large cities in each, both are port cities, and the cities have similarities in growing industries, as well as similarities with immigration issues. This trade mission included Mayor Todd Gloria and Congressman Scott Peters, who were part of the delegation to Paris and Marseille. I flew to France and met with the delegation when they arrived in Marseille. The morning after the trade delegation arrived in Marseille, there was a special Sister City signing ceremony between Mayor Gloria and Mayor Benoît Payan, with both mayors speaking to a full room about the importance of international relations, peace, and diplomacy, now more than ever. Later that afternoon, the US Consul General hosted a reception at her residence, which included Mayor Gloria, Congressman Peters, and other dignitaries to speak about the future and the importance of building relationships. Since September, there has been further discussions of what kind of projects will continue under the San Diego Marseille banner of Sister Cities, including a potential music program that would hopefully end up with high school music students from San Diego performing in Marseille, a modern day take on “penpals” between an elementary school in San Diego and Marseille, further talks between cities on port city best practices, and more. The focus of the trade mission in September 2025 was economics, trade, investment, and other economic factors, but that is not the limit of the relationship. Future projects that have been discussed include educational/ academic exchange, music programs, tourism, cultural exchange programs, and even a discussion on a potential pop culture project! The next immediate step to happen is the unveiling of the new Marseille Sister City sign in the courtyard of City Hall in mid February. There is a hold on activity from the City of Marseille until after their election in March of 2026, but we are all excited to keep the momentum going and continue to build the relationship between the two great cities.

Mayor Todd Gloria and Dennis-Michael Broussard

Mayors Todd Gloria and Benoît Payan sign the Sister Cities agreement

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Instagrammable Moments: A Librarian’s Reflections on San Diego and USD

Faculty Spotlight: Millicent Fullmer Associate Professor, Acquisitions and Cataloging Librarian, Liaison Librarian

As a visual literacy scholar and elder millennial, I take to Instagram to see what’s been going on since my arrival at USD in January, 2018. Unsurprisingly, I first posted a picture of the grand Mother Hill Reading Room, filled with art, architecture, and art history books (the subject I serve as liaison librarian). My later posts remark on the eerie morning fog that envelopes the west side of campus, in contrast to the breathtaking sunsets that grace campus in the evening. Work related content includes a post about cataloging a deck of tarot cards, images from touring the UCLA Film and Television Archive in Valencia, a post honoring British art historian Sister Wendy Beckett, visits to the Huntington Library in LA, and the installation of “Story Work — The Prints of Marie Watt” exhibit in Copley. This fall, my posts highlighted a conference trip to present at the International Visual Literacy Conference (IVLA), where the theme was “The Power of Images in Sacred and Festive Practices,” hosted by the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, Mexico. My presentation, titled “Celestial Celebrations: Reclaiming Matariki, The Maori New Year,” discusses the decolonization of time in Aotearoa New Zealand after the government formally adopted the holiday, the mythology and symbolism, and how contemporary Indigenous artists visualize this event. A less remarkable post from several years ago is of my office calendar, which displays an

interior photograph of Cafebreria El Pendulo in Mexico City. The accompanying text describes a research consultation with a student about the El Transito Synagogue in Spain. This student arrived with some trepidation, but their eyes immediately lit up on seeing their favorite bookstore on the wall of my office. What followed was a lovely and relaxed conversation about the bookstore (which includes a cocktail bar), and a productive

research session. The joy I shared in making a student feel at home and welcome in the library is what endears me to librarianship; making connections in both my professional and personal life is where the magic happens. As a first generation student who was particularly shy, socially anxious, and filled with imposter syndrome in my young life, I am a compassionate resource and feel especially protective of vulnerable students on campus. I serve on the library’s

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Building Community Connections committee, whose charge is to combat the loneliness epidemic by hosting fun events at Copley Library throughout the semester. Next up are scenic shots of vacationing in Catalina Island (after submitting my second ARRT dossier), which, alas, resulted in a kayaking incident and torn rotator cuff. Then an absurd post about a book arriving eight years after the library ordered it — long since

sourced from a different supplier. I love pursuing what makes San Diego vibrant, from a local shoe repair shop inside a pinata store, to Folk Art Rare Records, Balboa Park’s Mingei Museum, An’s Gelato, Comic-Con, Azuki Sushi, beach life, perusing plants at City Farmers Nursery, and more recently patronizing Revision Creative Workspace, a studio offering arts programing to adults with developmental disabilities. Other posts reveal that I collect beautiful cookbooks, like Bethlehem by Fadi Kattan, that I am deeply moved when listening to music, I spoil my ginger cat, and I possess the self-deprecating sense of humor common among New Zealanders. Since 2023 these posts have been interspersed with candid discussion of my cancer diagnoses — Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma. While not aggressive forms of blood cancer, being immunocompromised, spouts of fatigue, low platelets, and enlarged lymph nodes is challenging at times. Sharing my story has been an important part of my healing process and I credit USD’s supportive environment for nurturing this sentiment. In John Green’s book, Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of our Deadliest Infection , the author writes, “It reminded me, that when we know about suffering, when we are proximal to it, we are capable of extraordinary generosity. We can do and be so much for each other. But only when we see one another in our full humanity. Not as statistics or problems, but as people who deserve to be alive in the world.” I agree that in a world with so much division, human connection in real time is so important. Social media platforms provide a false sense of community, algorithms cater to our biases and have shrunk attention spans to mere headlines, television shows are now being designed for “second-screen” watching. Yet, research shows a declining use in social media so there is hope for community rebuilding and long-form reading will have a resurgence in the near future.

Images courtesy of Millie Fullmer

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Copley Celebrates the 3rd Annual Filipino American History Month Event By Dr. Regina Gong , Associate Dean for Student Success and Strategic Initiatives

Over 100 people, including USD students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the San Diego Filipino American community, attended this annual event held on October 1, 2025. Now in its third year, this gathering celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of Filipino Americans in the United States. This year’s keynote speaker was San Diego Superior Court Judge Rohanee Zapanta, a double alumna of USD. Judge Zapanta earned her bachelor’s degree in 1998 and her law degree in 2002 from

L to R: Dr. Gong, Judge Zapanta, and Dean Byrd

USD. She is the second Filipina American to serve on the San Diego Superior Court. She was appointed by former California governor Jerry Brown in 2018 and elected to a six-year term in 2020. Attendees were inspired by Judge Zapanta’s insights into representation and by how Filipino values of connection (“kapwa”), community (“bayanihan”), and compassion (“malasakit”) guided her legal career. Many students resonated with her story, including first-year student Lauren Urquico, who said, “It’s really inspiring, especially because I have a similar background as her, like being born here but have immigrant parents from the Philippines.” Attendees also enjoyed a cultural dance performance by Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO) students and a sumptuous Filipino dinner buffet from Porky’s Lechon. Overall, it was a tremendous success and a great kick-off to Filipino American History Month events across San Diego. Banned Books Week By Catherine Paolillo , Head of Access and Outreach Services Librarian Banned Books Week is an annual event where libraries across the country celebrate the right to read, to

promote intellectual freedom, and to bring awareness to challenged and banned books. This year, Copley Library hosted several events throughout the week to engage with the campus community. Our Access Services department organized “Blind Date with a Banned Book,” a display that invited patrons to borrow a banned or challenged book from our collection. The books are

wrapped in paper to obscure their title and author, and are instead labeled with the most common reasons cited for their banned status such as sexually explicit content, violence, politics, religion, racism, and LGBTQ themes. Most patrons are surprised to unwrap their “blind dates” to titles such as Harry Potter , Lord of the Flies , and The Color Purple . On Tuesday, October 7, we hosted an inaugural “Right to Read, Read Out” event on the front steps of Copley. Over 20 USD students, faculty, staff, and administrators gathered to read aloud from their favorite banned or challenged book to passersby during Torero Hour. Our signature event, “Censorship & Academia” took place on Wednesday, October 8 to a standing-room-only audience in our Journals Reading Room. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Noelle Norton presented “A Dean’s Perspective on Censorship and Her Own Banned Book,” where she discussed her banned book, Creating Gender , and

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the current trend of censorship within academic spaces and its broader implications. Dr. Odilka Santiago, Sociology, then presented “The Violence of Silence: Censorship, Power, and the Politics of Voice from the Margins,” her research on homelessness, housing insecurity, and housing injustice. Laura Turner, Associate Dean, Head of Collections, Access and Discovery, and the event moderator, provided additional context about Banned Books Week, book challenges, and censorship from a library perspective. Finally, we hosted a screening of the documentary film, Banned Together , about students fighting to return 97 books suddenly pulled from their school libraries. Banned Together is available in Copley’s collection through our streaming database, Kanopy . Students who participated in our various Banned Books Week events earned raffle tickets for a chance

to win a USD hoodie and “Right to Read” swag items. Copley Library Hosts the Inaugural Student Success Symposium

By Dr. Regina Gong , Associate Dean for Student Success and Strategic Initiatives The inaugural Student Success Symposium, organized by Copley Library, was held virtually on November 12, 2025. This year’s theme, “The Evolving Landscape of Student Success,” invited presenters to examine how academic libraries are adapting to support student success within a rapidly changing higher education environment. The free, virtual event funded by the Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC) brought together librarians and campus partners to consider how we adapt our work to support student success amid a shifting higher education landscape. The Symposium drew 747 registrants, a strong response which underscores the need for this kind of professional development and conversation. The Symposium featured two keynote speakers: Dr. Tia Brown McNair, who challenged participants to stay focused on equity in student outcomes, and Lee Rainie, who examined how artificial intelligence is accelerating academic libraries’ digital transformation . The program showcased the depth and range of library-led student success work, featuring 32 presentations, lightning talks, and virtual posters, delivered by 61 presenters . The full proceedings of the Symposium, including presentation slides, virtual posters, and recordings, are available on the Student Success Symposium page in Digital USD. Veterans/Armistice Day

Opening Keynote Speaker Dr. Tia Brown McNair

Closing Keynote Speaker Lee Rainie

Veterans for Peace Visit Copley Library By Martha Adkins , Research and Instruction Librarian

On the evening of November 13, 2025, two days after Veterans Day, students, faculty, staff, and visitors to our campus gathered in the Mother Rosalie Hill Reading Room

to listen to the experiences of veterans of the armed forces of the United States. After a moving introduction by the San Diego Veterans for Peace President, Gary Butterfield, three veterans shared stories of their recruitment, service, and journeys toward advocacy for peace. Jack Doxey, a 94-year-old veteran of the Korean War, shared what being drafted into that conflict felt like, and the emotions of fighting across the world, in story form and in poetry he has written over the years. Barry Ladendorf, a Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, shared his experiences and changing thoughts about war and service over his time there and since returning to the United States. One of the more moving aspects

L to R: Jack Doxey and Barry Ladendorf address the audience

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of his story was his recounting of the number of live soldiers with whom he flew to Vietnam, and the number of departed soldiers who accompanied the handful who flew home together. Finally, Joshua Lewis, a 22-year-old medically discharged veteran, shared his experiences of his aggressive recruitment by the Marines and his experiences in training exercises which led to his injuries. Following their

Dr. Kathryn Statler, History Department, in conversation after the presentation with (L to R) Joshua Lewis, Barry Ladendorf, and Gary Butterfield

presentations, the three men answered questions and comments from members of the audience for about a half hour before the conclusion of the event, after which they remained in Copley to speak with audience members well into the evening. Copley Library is proud to partner with the History Department in hosting these veterans each year, and we eagerly look forward to the next event.

UDEM and USD Sign Sister Libraries MOU By Alma Ortega, PhD , Research and Instruction Librarian

After four years of meeting via Zoom and later in person at various American Library Association Annual summer conferences (Chicago 2023, San Diego 2024, and Philadelphia 2025), this past January 26, 2026, Dean Theresa S. Byrd and Director Liliana Briones signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) ensuring five years of future collaborations between the University of San Diego (USD) Copley Library and the University of Monterrey (UDEM) Library. On the day of the signing, Copley Library faculty and staff, who had traveled to Monterrey for the signing ceremony and to visit the campus, had a packed day of activities at UDEM. Well before the signing of the MOU, Copley faculty and staff

L to R: Dean of the USD University Library Theresa S. Byrd and UDEM Library Director Liliana Araujo Briones). Photographer: Alma Ortega

toured the university, including their temporary library location, as well as a glimpse at the new space, currently undergoing renovation, which will open later this year. The new library at UDEM will offer increased meeting spaces for students and more space for collection growth. A highlight of the UDEM visit was a thorough walking tour of the “Gate of Creation,” a brutalist style building, designed by the world renowned self-taught Japanese architect and winner of the Pritzker Prize, Tadao Ando. After the campus tour, representatives from both libraries regrouped in the temporary library to witness the signing of the Sister Libraries agreement between UDEM and USD. After lunch the two libraries’ faculty and staff gathered for a fruitful exchange of ideas session and ended the day with an informal chat with the architects who redesigned the new UDEM library. It wasn’t all business in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon however. Library personnel also had the opportunity to

Copley Library staff pictured in front of the original government building of the Ayuntamiento de Monterrey (Left to right: V. Dozier; Catherine Paolillo; Alex Moran, Dean Byrd, and Alma Ortega). Photographer: Joel Ramirez, Tour Guide.

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enjoy a tour of the City of Monterrey. They toured through the old city, the new seat of government monuments, and enjoyed a mountain drive for a panoramic view of the city from beneath the third largest Mexican flag in the country. UDEM and USD are anticipating the next five years of intralibrary collaboration and personnel exchanges so the two libraries can continue to learn from one another and develop insightful ways to serve their respective users. Copley librarians and staff are already looking forward to the next opportunity to visit UDEM. Cruising Through History: The Lowrider Stamp Unveiling By Amanda Makula , Digital Initiatives Librarian What a day! On Friday, March 13, the Logan Heights Library was the place to be as the community gathered for the highly anticipated “First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony” for five, custom-designed USPS stamps, each featuring a unique lowrider vehicle. With an incredible turnout of roughly 1,000 attendees, the energy was electric, proving that the heart of lowrider culture beats stronger than ever in San Diego!

The event was a vibrant mix of music, speakers, and visual delight. Some of the vehicles featured on the stamps – such as the intricately painted 1987 green Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme named “Pocket Change” – were on display at the event for attendees to admire and photograph. Individuals and families lined up to purchase stamps, then enjoyed a celebratory

program featuring a mariachi band, traditional blessing, the 82nd Airborne Division San Diego Chapter Color Guard, a performance of the national anthem, and remarks by several local politicians including Mayor Todd Gloria. The ceremony culminated in an official unveiling of the stamps, set to War’s iconic 1975 “Low Rider” song. USD Professor of Ethnic Studies Dr. Alberto Pulido and Rigo Reyes, Director of Community Development at Via International, both key collaborators on the San Diego Lowrider Archival Project, rounded out the program with remarks about the history and legacy of lowriding, noting that what had once been banned from the streets was now recognized and celebrated as a movement of artistry and cultural expression. Pulido also drew parallels between the “low and slow” ethos of lowriding and the wait and anticipation of sending and receiving stamped “snail mail” through the postal service. Copley Library was represented by Dean Theresa Byrd, Associate Deans, Laura Turner and Regina Gong, Associate Professors, Diane Maher and Amanda Makula, and Digital Initiatives Assistant, Michael Conlee. Makula exhibited a display of the lowrider archive and Conlee designed commemorative bookmarks for distribution at the event. They were so popular that many guests snagged extras for their grandkids! And the celebration doesn’t stop here. Digital Initiatives is now working with local filmmakers and photographers to add fresh footage and photos from the event to Digital USD. If you have photos or stories from the San Diego lowrider community, we would love to hear from you! Drop us an email at digital@sandiego.edu. Thank you to everyone who made this “cruise” down memory lane such a massive success! “Low and slow is the only way to go!”

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I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying by Youngmi Mayer By Catherine Paolillo Head of Access and Outreach Services Librarian

hero in the USA to almost dying in an Austrian prison. I found this book at a wine bookstore in New York City, and decided to read it so I could understand why there is a city, street, park, school, or anything named after him. Boudicca’s Daughter

I am a big stand-up comedy fan and have been following Youngmi Mayer’s work for several years, so I was thrilled when she announced her memoir, I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying . Mayer is candid about her life’s traumas, successes, and keen observations

by Elodie Harper By Martha Adkins Research and Instruction Librarian This is an historical

fictional novel following the life of the daughter of Boudicca, the woman who led a rebellion of native Celtic Britons against the Roman army in 60CE. In Elodie Harper’s imagined story of Solina, she is one of two daughters, both trained secretly by their mother as warriors,

on both Korean and American culture,

relationships, luxury brands, foodie culture, motherhood, and so much more. Her writing is smart, concise, heartfelt, and hilarious. The book was a delight to read, and I was indeed laughing and crying from beginning to end. Hero of Two Worlds by Mike Duncan By Dennis-Michael Broussard Night Supervisor

as the Celtic Britons were not permitted to wield actual weapons while under Roman rule. Their father, king of the Iceni and a Druid, trained Solina as a Druid as well, to carry on the traditions of prophecy. Both daughters are chosen to succeed him, but this is not allowed when the time comes. The Roman procurator instead unleashes violence on the Iceni, who then rebel, under the leadership of Catia, henceforth renamed Boudicca, “Bringer of Victory.” The rebellion is successful for a time, but then crushed, and Solina is taken prisoner. I won’t spoil the rest of the story, which follows Solina as prisoner. Harper is a trained Classicist, presenting this fictional account with enough historical details to entertain enthusiasts of Roman history as well as those unfamiliar with the facts.

I enjoyed reading about the Marquis de Lafayette in Mike Duncan’s biography, Hero of Two Worlds ; what he meant to America and his public life in France. He was instrumental in both the American and the French revolutions — and he was only 19 when he came to America to fight the British.

Duncan does a nice job of recounting history in an almost story-like way. The biography goes really in depth through the highs and lows of Lafayette’s life — from being treated like a

14 | COPLEY CONNECTS

COPLEY LIBRARY AND BAYSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER

presents

CULTURAL MOSAIC: CELEBRATING ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) HERITAGE MONTH

Gil Ontai Uncle Gil Ontai, aka, Kilipaka, was born and raised in the ‘ahupua’a of Palolo Valley to Waikiki and comes from a long and distinguished Kanaka O’iwi ohana whose ancestors served the Crown and who’s extended ohana continues to bring positive change in the well-being of the Hawaiian Community. Uncle Gil continues the family tradition of serving the Hawaiian Community by providing educational leadership and aloha in his public and private life

Jey Tran Jey Tran is an author, fitness professional, and motivational speaker whose life story reflects resilience, perseverance, and the pursuit of purpose. As a Vietnamese refugee who journeyed across the ocean as a boat person in search of freedom, Jey’s early life shaped his deep belief in gratitude, discipline, and the power of overcoming adversity. Jey is also the author of “Eyes Shut, Mouth Closed.”

Cathlyn Choi Cathlyn Choi is a television and film producer, show host,

Nanda Mehta Nanda’s life has been shaped by the richness of three continents—Asia, Africa, and North America —where she was raised before the age of 17. As the founder and CEO of Creative Journeys, a Travel and Event Management company established in 1990, she has always believed that travel is the best form of education, offering life-changing lessons that no classroom can match. Yet it is through community service that Nanda has found her most meaningful work.

media entrepreneur, and community advocate with more than 30 years of international experience in business development,

sales, and marketing across the consumer electronics, wireless,

media, hospitality, health, and nonprofit sectors in North America, South America, and Asia. A dedicated community leader, Cathlyn has served on more than 15 nonprofit boards and currently serves on the USS Midway Museum Community Engagement Committee.

Performances by students of the Van Lang Center and hula dances by Hālau Hula Kāhea I Ka Manu A loha

PLACE : UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO COPLEY LIBRARY 5998 ALCALA PARK, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110 DATE: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026 TIME : 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM REGISTER AT : https://libcal.sandiego.edu/event/16689790

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO | 15

MEET JOE YORTY

“I am an interdisciplinary artist who employs a range of materials, objects, and methods to make work that largely addresses the anxieties and absurdities of American domestic culture. Including sculpture, collage, video, and photography my studio practice grapples with the stuff of thrift store refuse, last-minute estate sale deals, and the

Joe Yorty, First Home , 2017, vinyl, latex paint and found vintage wallpaper on aluminum

Our library’s next chapter depends upon you... Yes, I want to support Copley Library at the University of San Diego! Every gift is significant. The following are suggested giving levels for supporters of Copley Library: $5,000+ $2,500 $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 Other USD AFFILIATION Student Faculty/Staff Family Alumni Friend of Copley Name Company Phone Address City State occasional dumpster dive to rub against the pathos of the ceaseless search for fulfillment in the accumulation of things that, to a large extent, defines the American experience in the 21st century. My work has been shown on both coasts of the United States and some places in between.” Learn more about Joe Yorty on his website, joeyorty.com.

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