Collaboration and Community

Alumni Authors Take the Spotlight in Signature Event Series

A Conversation with Rex Pickett ’76

On November 9, 2022, the Library hosted a panel discussion featuring novelist, screenwriter, filmmaker and playwright Rex Pickett ’76. Pickett is the critically acclaimed author of “Sideways” and his play based on the novel, which was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film.

Pickett was joined in conversation by Brian E. C. Schottlaender, UC San Diego’s University Librarian Emeritus; Caryn Radick, Digital Archivist at Rutgers University; and Audrey Geisel University Librarian Erik Mitchell. They discussed his most recent novel, “The Archivist,” a murder mystery that takes a deep dive into the archiving world set in a fictional Geisel Library. The book was inspired by Pickett’s experience working with Special Collections & Archives when he donated his personal papers to the Library in 2012.

A Conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson ’74, PhD ’82

On April 17, 2023, the Library partnered with the UC San Diego Academic Senate Committee on Campus Climate Change to host a discussion featuring Kim Stanley Robinson ’74, PhD ’82. The conversation delved into his bestselling climate fiction novel “The Ministry for the Future,” which follows a group of individuals whose mission is to act as advocates for the world’s future generations as “ministers for the future.”

Inspired by the book’s narrative, the event commenced with presentations from four students who assumed the roles of “ministers” envisioning the future of the San Diego region. Drawing on their research, activism and expertise, these students articulated their visions, outlining ways in which UC San Diego can contribute to safeguarding the environment for present and future generations. Participants included:

• Minister of Atmosphere, Ke’La Kimble, PhD candidate in analytical and atmospheric chemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

• Minister of Health, Emmet Norris, PhD student in geoscience, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

• Minister of Finance, Emma Rodriguez ’23, business economics major, Thurgood Marshall College

• Minister of Energy, Alex Andriatis, PhD candidate in physical oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography

UC San Diego Library’s Signature Event Series is made possible through the philanthropic support of our sponsors and Library Associates. Become a Library Associate today! lib.ucsd.edu/lib-associates.

Watch these conversations on the UCTV Library Channel. uctv.tv/library-channel/videos.

Libraries at Cambridge University and UC San Diego Partner to Broaden Awareness and Use of East Asian Collections

UC San Diego Library and Cambridge University Library launched a multi-year partnership that aims to broaden the awareness, access and use of the extensive East Asian collections held by the two institutions. In June 2023, representatives from both universities convened at Cambridge University Library for a signing ceremony to commemorate the official commencement of the WongAvery East Asian Collections Collaboration.

With the sponsorship of the Avery-Tsui Foundation, the two universities will foster interlibrary collaboration, initiate and support research visits by scholars seeking to use the respective collections, as well as create and promote activities that highlight the collections and expertise held within the libraries.