One Campus, One Book
One Campus, One Book (OCOB) is a program designed by the University Library to encourage a common reading experience and sense of community at California State University, Los Angeles. We aim to stimulate a shared experience through reading, to inspire and support community conversations, and to encourage academic enhancement through cross-curricular partnerships.
The Cal State LA University Library creates a shortlist of finalists for our One Campus, One Book selection in spring. The campus community is invited to vote for their selection from the finalists, and the winner is chosen prior to the fall semester. Each fall semester, many classes read the OCOB selection and the University Library plans events around the selection. Past events have included creative workshops, guest speakers, community panels featuring faculty, staff, students, and guests, and Q&A discussions with OCOB selection authors.
National Poetry Month
National Poetry Month was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996 to remind the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, and, of course, poets, marking poetry's important place in our lives.
Our past and planned events for National Poetry Month have included publishing poems of the day from our campus community, poetry readings, and exhibits.
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
Our past and planned events for banned books week have included exhibits, lists of banned and challenged books available for check out at our library, panel discussions about censorship, essay contests, and challenged material read-outs.
National Library Week
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate.
Makerspace Events
Makerspaces are dedicated areas in libraries for creativity to bloom. Started by three of our faculty librarians, our Makerspace pop-up events happen throughout the semester and aim to spark creativity while de-stressing. In the past we’ve built paper robots, crafted valentines, made our own stress balls during finals week, and celebrated various holidays.
Exhibit Receptions
The University Library has several premium locations to house in-person exhibits. We work with both on-campus partners and outside exhibitors to bring art, culture, and social justice awareness to the campus community, and many exhibits have opening or closing reception events to present the pieces in the exhibit as well as network. While we are learning safer at home, we also have started curating virtual exhibits. Have an idea for an exhibit? Submit a proposal.
University Library Open House
The University Library and its partners host an open house every semester. Join us during the first two weeks of each new term for information about our services and special giveaways. University Library partners include:
- Cafe 47
- The Center for Academic Success
- Everytable
- ITS
- Office of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities (ORSCA)
- Smart Start
- University Academic Advising Center
- University Testing Center
Library Live!
Library Live! is a series of workshops offered virtually covering the foundations of research and academic work needed to succeed in your courses. Open to all students, this webinar series will provide an orientation to the Cal State LA Virtual Library and will engage students in active learning to promote robust research skills. Past topics have included: mapping a research strategy and plan, using databases effectively, and how to tell if gathered research is bogus or legit.
Cultural and Celebratory Reading Lists
The University Library celebrates the joy of reading year-round through curating cultural and celebratory reading lists. Our faculty librarians, staff, and students collaborate in keeping all of our reading lists up to date and ensuring the selections are inclusive. Contact information for suggesting additions can be found at each of the lists as well.
Browse our reading lists below: