Hispanic Heritage Month

On Mexican Independence Day, which kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month last week, the HIU student association offered free shaved ice and elote in front of the library! 

Bryan Pomboza, Library Services Assistant,
and Amanda Careres, Student Assistant,
enjoy a treat just outside the library!

Did you know that about 22.6% of the enrolled student body of Hope International University is Hispanic-Latino? And that fully half of the library's student workers are Latino?

Did you know that the Darling Library has a good number of books written in Spanish? Almost exactly 10 years ago today we received a special donation of Biblical Studies and Ministry books written in Spanish. See the full story here. And we have Spanish eBooks, too!? (To find them, just limit your search by language along with your search terms.)

And, did you know that HIU has a close association with Crossmont Biblical Institute (CBI) which prepares leaders for Christian ministry in Latino-Hispanic churches across Southern California? Did you know that these students have full access to the Darling Library?

The Darling Library supports biblical studies and ministry among the Hispanic community throughout the year!

Honoring our Graduating Student Library Assistants

Bryan Pomboza, Megan Anderson, Amanda Caceres, Giovanna Lopez

It has been the Darling Library's tradition to honor our graduating student workers by adding a book to the library. They choose a book (that we don't already have) in a subject area of their interest - in their major or something on their heart related to the curriculum. 

We include a note in the cataloging record that it was donated in honor of the student by name. You can actually search "donated in honor of" and add the student's name to find it. We also stick a bookplate to the inside cover of the book with the same note. They enjoy having an influence on our book collection and leaving their imprint on the library in a tangible way. 

At an end of the year party we present the book to the graduates and have them tell us why they chose the book.

This year we have six graduates! Here are the books to be added to the library in their honor:

Bryan Pomboza (Biblical Studies). Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Although Bryan is a Biblical Studies major, he is also a history buff and recommended this WWII historical fiction. Bryan will pursue the MFT degree at HIU and continue working as our Library Services Assistant after graduation.

Megan Anderson (Childrens and Youth Ministry major and Biblical Studies and Psychology minor). The Sin of Certainty by Peter Enns struck a cord with Megan who also worked as a tutor in Biblical Studies. The subtitle, Why God Desires our Trust more than our 'Correct' Beliefs says it all for her. Megan plans to work with children either in church ministry or some area of mental health upon graduation.

Amanda Caseres (Psychology). The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a semi-autobiographical short story first published in 1892. Amanda was moved by the story during a class presentation by another one of our student workers, English major, Isabella Alcaraz. According to Wikipedia, "It is regarded as an important early work of American feminist literature for its illustration of the attitudes towards mental and physical health of women in the 19th century." The book purchased by the library includes other short stories on the theme. Amanda also plans to pursue the MFT at HIU and continue working at the Darling Library while in graduate school.

Giovanna Lopez (Psychology) chose The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest. The library does not generally purchase "self-help" books, but Giovanna felt strongly that this topic speaks to many students who struggle with mental health issues - particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Giovanna will go home to Nebraska briefly before starting her masters degree in Psychology at Colorado Christian University.

Ysabelle Halemano (Kinesiology). Ysabelle (a.k.a., "YZ") chose another story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman called Herland which is a utopian novel about an all-women society. YZ was unable to attend the party but she says it's just a fun book and it was interesting to think about not only an all-woman country, but what an all-male country might be like as well. Like Amanda and Bryan, YZ also will continue at Hope in the Marriage and Family Therapy program. She plans on becoming a Sports Psychologist. 

Jon Tobin (Business). Jon, who has been a runner for HIU, suggested Running for My Life: One Lost Boy's Journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games. It is the autobiographical story of Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese-American track and field runner who was one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. "[It] is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more." (Amazon.com).

These books will be added to the Darling Library collection in honor of these student workers who have served the library well. 

 

Congratulations on your graduation!

The New Model Library

Something called the New Model Library comes out of a study conducted by OCLC during the early months of the pandemic in which 29 library leaders describe concepts and practices employed in an emergency situation that can be carried into the post-pandemic world. The study revealed that four general concepts: agility, collaboration, virtualization, and engagement needed to be applied in a new context. Each library must recognize what this will mean in practice for its own organization in terms of staff work, library collections, and community engagement going forward.

I didn’t really think of this study as being ground-breaking. Libraries have been agile and collaborative in order to engage (serve) patrons for many years. In this study, virtualization may be the most innovative concept for some – but academic libraries that serve a high population of online students (like at Hope International University) had already been focused on virtual services and online resources to engage remote students long before COVID-19 shut campuses down.

From 2000, HIU students have been able to search the catalog and access electronic databases (including eBooks) remotely. For well over ten years our librarians have been publishing personalized video tutorials on our YouTube channel and have made LibAnswers an easy way for remote (and local) students to connect with a librarian. Of course, email, phone and even the occasional video appointments with librarians have been available long before the pandemic.

Certainly, Zoom (and other video conferencing applications) became much more common during the shutdown. Then when the university began providing hybrid options for attending class it was fairly easy to arrange flexible library instruction sessions to include in-person and remote students simultaneously. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

A New Model Library is one that has gained confidence from using technologies and strategies that worked during an actual emergency -- like  finally using the tactics calmly practiced many times in drills.

Perhaps the best take-away for me has been to find more effective ways to increase awareness of the library resources and services that are available to our patrons. 

Speaking of which, here's a link to make an appointment with a librarian.

Researching Taubman

George P. Taubman

George P. Taubman (1869-1947) had a significant influence on the beginnings of Hope International University. His life of ministry and leadership in the local church, his community, and the Restoration Movement personify the mission, goals, objectives and enduring core values of the University. 

Under his leadership, the First Christian Church of Long Beach housed early classes for what was then Pacific Bible Seminary (1930-33). He served as the first academic dean from 1931, was listed as professor of practical ministries, and declined an offer to become the institution’s second president 

In March of 1915 the Taubman family moved to Long Beach, California, where George began a nearly 25-year ministry. Here he had the opportunity to provide pastoral leadership through some of the most interesting and turbulent times in American history. Taubman had a particular passion for reaching men. When he arrived in Long Beach, he immediately started a men’s Bible class, and within a few short years, he had taken the group from 25 to 3000+ men every Sunday morning for nearly two decades. At the time it was known as the world’s largest men’s Bible class. 

This is what has brought Wilson Hutchinson to the Darling Library to read for hours in the past couple of months. Mr. Hutchinson was born, grew up, lives, and works in Long Beach. He says, "Long Beach is my city!" Hutchinson believes George Taubman is part of the early DNA of the city. In many ways, Taubman shaped the city’s beginnings through those he served and led. Although you might not read about him much or see the impact, it's there.

Wilson Hutchinson
Researcher

Taubman came to Hutchinson's attention from a small house church leader who gathered a group of young college graduates with a vision of seeing the city reached for Jesus through prayer and worship. They had a real heart to see revival in Long Beach. The church leader had heard of Taubman and communicated the impact that he had had. This sparked Hutchinson's curiosity. 

He started doing some research. He found a thesis at Pepperdine written about Taubman by Kevin Kragenbrink and went to to read it. He dropped the subject for a few years and recently rekindled his interest. He feels like the Lord is leading him to study Taubman. He's not sure exactly why, yet. But he is learning a lot from the primary sources that have been kept at Hope International University. 

One of the most time-consuming parts of Hutchinson's research is going through Taubman's sermons. Hundreds of hand-written or typewritten sermon notes have been saved in acid free, archival folders, organized by date. Many of these sermon notes predate Taubman’s time in Long Beach. 

Hutchinson says that Taubman's bulleted notes communicate his message very well. He very much stuck with the Bible and gospel message. His sermon titles summarized the messages very well and he was very clever in his way with words. He can see why he was very popular with men at that time. He was straightforward and didn't mince words.

Taubman was also a man of action. The class slogan was: “The value of the Sunday morning session must be seen in the character of service rendered through the week.” One word was boldly displayed every week in six-foot high letters at the front of the auditorium where they gathered: OTHERS. Service to those in need throughout the city was a unifying and galvanizing force for the men of Taubman’s class. 

Although he was not raised in Restoration Movement churches, Hutchinson appreciates the Restoration Movement emphasis on church unity (particularly across denominational lines) that Taubman strongly communicated through his sermons and lifestyle. 

As the librarian who personally organized, preserved, and curated the Taubman collection, I am particularly encouraged by the interest that a researcher is taking in this one-of-a-kind collection. Libraries throughout the world are moving away from expanding their spaces in order to shelve more and more print books to accommodating more digital and unique resources -- like special collections. "Special collections are often related, even deeply attached, to the mission and academic focus of a college. And special collections often house the archives and history of the institution itself." (The Library of the Future, 2022). This also connects the library (and university) with its larger community.

In Honor of Annabel's Graduation

 

At the end of the fall semester, 2021, Annabel Mejia graduates and leaves the library. It is a library tradition to add a book to the collection in honor of graduating seniors. The student chooses a book that is special to them. Annabel, a Psychology major, chose a book published this year by one of her professors, Dr. Peace Amadi titled, Why Do I Feel Like This? (See our featured author post for more information about this book.)

At our Christmas party, we honored Annabel for her exemplary work in the library and asked her to explain why she chose this book for the library. She thinks everyone should read it!

Congratulations, Annabel!

Featured Author: Dr. Peace Amadi

Dr. Peace Amadi is Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Hope International University.

Amadi, P. (2021). Why do I feel like this? Understand your difficult emotions and find grace to move through. InterVarsity Press. 

 "It's easy to get overwhelmed by all sorts of conflicting, difficult emotions. But psychology professor and personal development coach Dr. Peace Amadi can help you navigate the complexity of your emotions and live through them in healthy ways. With insights from both psychology and Scripture, this book offers you a clear plan to get your peace back and find your joy again" -- Provided by publisher. 

Available for sale on Amazon.

Available for checkout in the Darling Library soon!

Featured Author: Carl Toney

Dr. Carl Toney is Professor of Biblical Studies and Chair of the Graduate Ministry Program at Hope International University.

His latest book is available just in time for ruining Christmas! 

Toney, Carl N. 2021. Ruining Christmas, Rediscovering Jesus. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books.

Do you have questions about the Christmas story? Did you know that the Christmas story almost wasn’t told? But Matthew and Luke saved Christmas. Have you wondered if Christmas is really a pagan holiday? Did marketers invent Santa Claus? And what does a Christmas tree have to do with anti-slavery? Learn which traditions come from the Bible and where other traditions derive. 

Have you ever considered who Jesus was named after? Or why Jesus’s genealogy is traced to Joseph if he’s not Jesus’s biological father? This book answers questions like these surrounding Jesus’s legacy. 

Maybe you’ve asked what was the Bethlehem star? Or have you heard that there wasn’t an inn or innkeeper? With these kinds of inquiries, Dr. Toney looks at the circumstances surrounding Jesus’s birth. 

Do we know if the magi were kings, astrologers, or magicians? Or could you name the oldest person that met baby Jesus? By interacting with these people who met Jesus on that first Christmas, join the cast of characters around the manger. 

Dr. Toney invites readers to explore the stories and traditions of Christmas. In the process, "we’ll ruin some past misconceptions but, I promise that we’ll rediscover Jesus."

(source: Amazon.com)

In Honor of our Graduating Seniors

During the 2020-2021 school year we have had a small crew of six student library assistants (SLAs) providing library services during the pandemic – three of which are graduating in May. 

It is the long-standing tradition of the Darling Library to add a book to the library in honor of our graduating SLAs. Early in their final semester we solicit a book suggestion from each of them to add to the collection in their honor. These books will soon be found in the Darling Library with a bookplate on the inside cover saying it was added in their honor. You can find them by searching the Discovery Service by author, title, ISBN, and even by the student's name!

As restrictions on gathering together start to relax, we had a party to celebrate, say thank you, and good-bye.*

Daphne Salomon

Daphne, graduating with a BA in Business (emphasis Accounting), recommended The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. The book was recommended for reading by her father, who is a small business owner. She says that the book really made an impact on her and wants to share it with those who come after her. Thank you for two years of exemplary service, Daphne!

Alyssa Hendrickson

Alyssa is completing a BA in English with plans to get a secondary teaching credential. Alyssa discovered Rachel Held Evans after her untimely death and has been influenced by her theology and candor. She recommends all of her books, but we are adding Inspired in her honor.

Andrew Valle

Andrew is graduating with a BA in Business (emphasis Sports Management). An ardent Lakers fan, Andrew was particularly affected by the death of Kobe Bryant. As a cross country runner, he found Bryant's book, Mama Mentality: How I Play, be inspirational in terms of how to live his own life. 

Fun fact: Andrew started working at the library on his 19th birthday. Thank you for three years of library service!

---

*A coronavirus note. Other than when posing for these photos, we were careful to stay six feet apart and keep masks on when not eating. Unfortunately, it appears that I had difficulty keeping my new poorly fitting mask in place during the presentations. I have been fully vaccinated.

An Ode to SCELC

The Hugh and Hazel Darling Library serves Hope International University which has always been tuition driven. That means that our institution depends on thoughtful stewardship of its scarce resources.

If the library's value to the institution was based entirely on return on investment, the library’s value would not be clear. Of course, it supports the mission and values and is closely aligned with the HIU curriculum. It seeks to provide relevant resources, instruction, and services to facilitate the university's learning outcomes. But how does it contribute to the financial strength of HIU?  

A Little Background 

HIU saw distance education to be a worthy investment long before the Internet came into being. Therefor, since the mid to late nineties, the library has sought to support students in those courses on a par with traditional on-ground programs. Soon, we began to see that electronic resources provide the biggest bang for our buck - good for traditional on-ground as well as online students. 

However, at that time, pricing models for electronic resources were still under development and no one really knew how much subscription databases (such as ProQuest) were worth. Our librarians did not have a full understanding of the developing landscape nor adequate negotiating skills to make good stewardship choices. 

Thankfully, we were invited to become a member of SCELC early in its development. 

Membership in the Consortium

Membership in the Southern California Electronic Library Consortium gave us a seat at the table – a voice to be heard by vendors who were looking to establish sustainable products for libraries. Without the help of SCELC, small independent non-profit institutions like ours would be left behind larger better resourced educational systems. We may not have been able to survive. 

Because of SCELC, we can offer similar resources to our students based on FTE and other equitable measures. 

But, beyond the benefit of license negotiations, SCELC supports small libraries in other ways. Its model of governance in which library directors can be elected to serve on the board provides library leaders opportunities to learn from each other and make meaningful contributions to our professional community. Advisory committee membership provides similar opportunities for other librarians from member libraries. 

This strengthens the consortium and builds community. Its resource sharing initiatives offer affordable ways for small libraries to take advantage of opportunities not otherwise available to us. 

SCELC also offers librarians free quality professional development programs such as the annual SCELC colloquium and generous grant to attend conferences. 

SCELC membership has been crucial to our ability to serve our students, staff, and faculty well and SCELC has been a partner in fulfilling our institutional mission.

Thank you, Rick Burke

I have been involved with SCELC for many years. I was elected to the SCELC Board of Directors (twice) and have served as the chair of its Marketing and Communications Committee. I have received grants to attend a conference and to purchase a new laptop to facilitate my working from home last summer. This is just the tip of the iceberg. 

But my "Ode to SCELC" today is inspired by its long-term founding Executive Director, Rick Burke, who announced his retirement effective July 1st. After twenty-two years he leaves the organization which is in his DNA and was built largely on his personal values. His commitment to libraries like ours and his humble yet strong advocacy for us has served as a role model that I hope many will follow.