Please join us in the Library for a series of informal discussions of AI topics during University Hour (12:15-1:15 pm) on Tuesdays throughout the Fall Semester! All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome!

We'll share what we have learned and would like to hear your suggestions, recommendations, and experiences. We'll meet on the third floor of the CORE Library and also via Zoom.

Please use the links below to register.

The Library will provide light refreshments. Please feel free to bring lunch.

September 16, 2025
CSU's ChatGPT
Explore the tools, options, and custom GPTs available to us through the CSU contract.

October 14
LLMs for Academic Research
What are LLMs good for? What aren't they good for? Writing effective research prompts. Using academic-specific tools (Undermind.ai, Consensus, Semantic Scholar, Elicit, Scite ... ). What does "deep research" mean for LLMs?

November 18
AI images and voice
Play with AI images and voices.

December 9
Ethical Questions
Sustainability, copyright, plagiarism, privacy, alignment, work, war ...

If you have additional topics for discussion, please contact John Wenzler (john.wenzler@csueastbay.edu).

We'll be reading Cory Doctorow's Radicalized. All staff, faculty, administrators, students, and community members are welcome!

You can pick up a copy of the book at the Library's Check Out Desk on the first floor of the Library. Ask for a copy from the staff at the desk and after you fill out a super-short form, you’ll get a copy of the book. We are able to provide copies for up to 100 people.

We'll be meeting four times in the fall semester, come to one or all! At each book club meeting, we'll be discussing a different novella in the book. All book club meetings will be held during Tuesday U-Hour in CORE 338 and via Zoom. Dates and links to register are below:

• On September 23 we will discuss the first novella: Unauthorized Bread
• On October 7 we will discuss the second novella: Model Minority
• On October 21 we will discuss the third novella: Radicalized
• On November 4 we will discuss the fourth novella: The Masque of the Red Death

We'll also be hosting Silent Reading Book-ins the week before each book club meeting if you'd like to have time in community to read. All Silent Reading Book-ins will be held during Tuesday U-hour on the lawn between the CORE Library and University Union, weather permitting. Dates and links to register are below:

• September 16
• September 30
• October 14
• October 28

If you have any questions, please let us know.
We hope to see you at the Library's Book Club!

This semester we welcome a new Peer Academic Coaching Coordinator, Bianca Meza. Bianca joined the SCAA team in August 2025 with 10 years of experience working in college access nonprofits, early childhood education, and higher education. Her journey began during her undergraduate studies at Washington State University, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a focus on early childhood education. She went on to serve as an AmeriCorps College Coach and College Access Coordinator before earning her M.Ed. in Student Development at Seattle University. These experiences shaped her commitment to community, education, and possibility. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her dog.

From the Dean of Libraries, Kristin Hart



 

Welcome to the Fall 2025 academic year. It's so exciting to see all the students in the CORE Library building, on campus, and in our online spaces. Everything we do in the Library is geared toward helping students succeed, at school and beyond.

• Tired? Check out our new Snooze Lounge (with giant beanbags and a high-tech nap pod)
• Feeling creative? Our new Makerspace will be opening soon!
• Laptop break at the worst moment? Laptops and other technology available for students to check out in our Learning Commons. We will even mail them if you are too far!
• Peer subject and writing tutoring and academic coaching services begin in Student Center for Academic Achievement on Monday 8/25. Get help in-person or online… your choice! Check out our 2025-2026 Peer Tutors in their Annual Photo below!

Need to see real, recent statistics on a wide range of topics? Want to see up-to-date reports on vital topics? Access Statista from the libraries databases. Simply go to: library.csueastbay.edu, on the Library home page look for ACCESS the databases A-Z. Go to S and choose Statista. Recent stats and reports have to do with the impact of tariffs, netflix, tiktok, gaming, AI, ecommerce, etc. but there is so much more and you can do instant export to powerpoint. Want a private tour to prepare for your Fall classes or write a paper? contact: linda.dobb or DIY by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW_bXgib6SI&t=2s Great stuff!

Use our Kanopy Film Database! Faculty, staff and students can stream many different types of movies at home that originate from our Kanopy film service. Simply download the Kanopy app on your smart TV/computer/phone and then use your net id and password to access a library of free movies. Explore and enjoy!

The Library is commemorating Juneteenth, Freedom Day, with a book display. Come take a look! You can borrow any of the books in the display, by checking them out at the Library Services Desk.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday celebrated on June 19th. To learn more about Juneteenth, see The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth from The Museum of African American History and Culture.

End of Spring Semester 2025 Edition

From the Dean of Libraries, Kristin Hart


 

As I wrap up my first academic year as Dean of Libraries at CSU East Bay, my sense of wonderment at the beauty of this campus has only deepened. Most evenings find me at the top of University Hill watching the sun set over the Bay and then, if I'm especially lucky, the moon rise shortly afterward over the rolling hills behind. These hills can be hiked– I've learned through exploration– through many miles of undeveloped grazing land in a giant loop back to campus. The seasonal changes are more subtle here than "back east," but watching the hills slowly turn green and the plantings along the beautiful new Ohlone Walkway wake up has been a profound experience.

I want to thank everyone for the long, warm welcome to the East Bay community, and for inviting me with such open hearts into your conversations about the future of this university– which is bright. It's been an honor to come to the CORE every day and talk with everyone about what the students want and need to thrive. Next year, look for a napping lounge, a collaborative makerspace, enhanced popular reading and games collections, book clubs, and even more great exhibits and events that celebrate this amazing community. Below, you can meet Oaks, the Library's new student-designed mascot, and read about some of the past semester's events in the CORE. Good luck with finals and have a great summer!


 

Introducing Oaks!

We are delighted to introduce you to Oaks, our new Library Mascot!

Oaks was designed by Library Student Assistant, Keisha, who is currently a graduate student in the Interaction Design and Interactive Art program.

Christian, Library Student Assistant and Communications major, thought of the name Oaks, which highlights East Bay's connection to the native coastal oaks in the area.

You'll see Oaks around the Library and online, welcoming you to the Library.


 

Recap of Some Spring Events

Lots of great events and exhibits were held at the Library this Spring Semester. Below are just a few highlights.

Hackathon March 1-2

Cal State East Bay Library was pleased to host HackHayward in the CORE. The library was the perfect place for 160 young programers from across the state to come together and build with AI.

The energy and enthusiasm in the building was exhilarating. The Library congratulates Cal State East Bay students -- Yash Kumars, Ujas Goti, and Nidhi Prajapati -- who organized such a successful event. We look forward to seeing HackHayward back in the Library next year.

 

Inaugural Reading Challenge

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Inaugural Reading Challenge!

Find your next read from the list of all books submitted for the Challenge (along with East Bay Reader Commentary), on the "What is East Bay Reading?" webpage on the Reading Challenge website.

We look forward to hosting another reading challenge next year, along with more fun reading events!

 

Student Artist Books

The Library was honored to host a number of exhibits co-created by students and/or featuring student work this academic year.

It was wonderful to exhibit the artist books created by students from Bookmaking 1 & 2 this spring.

We look forward to hosting more exhibits of student work next academic year!

 

New Additions to the Library!

We're excited to share some new additions to the Library's resources and collections.

New Games!

We've added new board games to our collection. Come browse the games on the first floor of the Library. Borrow a game to take home and play. You might find a new favorite!


 

New Books!

We've added new books to our Popular Reading Collection.
Check them out on the first floor of the Library and borrow some for your next great beach read!


 

Nap Pod!

We are excited to have our nap pod on the second floor of the Library.
Come and enjoy a power nap at the Library!


 

Coming Soon!

Snooze Lounge

While we're excited that we have our nap pod already available on the second floor of the Library, we hope to have the full Snooze Lounge ready for Fall Semester.

The Snooze Lounge will be the permanent home of the nap pod, along with zero gravity chairs, and bean bag chairs.

 

Makerspace

You may have seen us getting the Makerspace ready on the second floor of the Library (right next to the nap pod).

We are excited to be opening the Makerspace in Fall Semester and will be hosting workshops and open time for everyone to come in and make something new!

 

We're Open During The Summer!

Need a great read for the summer? Want to try out a new game? Looking to get a jump start on some research?

The Library is open during the summer, 9:00am-5:00 pm Monday through Friday. So please stop by, say hi, and pick up something fun from our collections!

 

Student Assistant
Library Access Services (CORE Floor 1)

What is your major and how long have you worked in the library?
My major is Health Sciences and I've worked at the library for 3 and a half years.

What is your favorite part about the CORE library?
My favorite part about the CORE library is how inclusive it is and how there are weekly events where students can destress from their classes. I'm glad that students are able to come to the CORE and study or just take a break. I like that each department tries their best to help out students and answer their questions. I appreciate how students have the freedom to be collaborative on the first floor and eat inside the CORE as most libraries hinder students from doing such things.

What do you do throughout the week working in Access Services?
What I do throughout the week working in Access Services is check out and return books, I process books that are incoming from other CSU's and out of state libraries. I ship out books to other libraries and page books from the old library and bring them to the CORE so books can be put on hold for patrons. I answer general questions about what services are provided at the CORE library and where books can be found.

Do you have a favorite study spot at the library?
My favorite study spot at the library is on the left side of the second floor where there are desktops facing the wall, that area is usually quiet and less crowded.

When you are not working in the library or studying for classes, what do you like to do?
When I'm not working in the library or studying for classes I like to travel, spend time with my family, and go shopping.

Fifty five years ago, on April 30, 1970, President Richard Nixon addressed the nation via television and radio to announce that the United States was expanding the Vietnam War by invading Cambodia. This resulted in a nationwide outpouring of antiwar protests on school campuses. The protests began on May 1st, and three days later four students were shot and killed by Ohio National Guardsmen at a protest on the campus of Kent State University. This led to student strikes that shut down hundreds of universities, colleges, and high schools around the country, as people gathered together to protest in various ways. The shooting of Kent State students also prompted Neil Young to write the song "Ohio," which quickly became a protest anthem. On May 15th, two Black students were killed when the police opened fire on a protest at Jackson State College, an HBCU in Mississippi.

At Cal State Hayward, as it was then known, some students produced a newsletter they named Strike News, "serving the greater Cal State community." The University Archives has six issues of this newsletter, all from May of 1970, that have been digitized and can be viewed online in the Digital Archives repository (Please note that this digital repository is a shared platform that contains materials from various CSUs, and it is a work in progress.). Not much information is available about these newsletters beyond what can be gleaned from reading them, but they provide a fascinating snapshot of how some CSU Hayward students responded to troubling current events during a turbulent time at the dawn of the 1970s.

May 21 1970 issue

All 6 issues of Strike News in the Digital Archives repository