Bird's Eye View April/May 2025
Bird's Eye View
April/May 2025
Your friendly neighborhood librarians here, popping in once again to share all the latest library happenings! In this semester’s issue you will find:
- New Librarian Introductions
- Library Summer Classes
- Library Summer Services
- Rural Campus Spotlights
- Staff Shoutout
- Library Donation Requests
Fresh Faces at the Library
We’ve got some new (and one returning!) librarians who are eager to serve BC students on all our campuses. Stop by and say hello to them next time you’re in the library!
Mindy Wilmot: Returning Tenured Reference Librarian
Mindy Wilmot has returned to the library after three years as an administrator and
is our official Rural Librarian at Bakersfield College’s Arvin Educational Center
and BC Southwest. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from CSUB and
a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.
She is a Kern County native (born in Taft, raised in Arvin), and former high school
English teacher and librarian. She has a passion for deep diving into research and
showing students how to use sources responsibly. When not at work, she enjoys reading,
puzzles, and lifelong learning.
Suzanne Aguirre: Adjunct Reference Librarian
Suzanne Aguirre is an Adjunct Reference Librarian at BC Arvin Educational Center.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Film & Electronic Arts: Theory & Practice of
Cinema at CSU Long Beach in 2015. While working as a library technician for Bakersfield
City School District, Suzanne received her Master of Library and Information Science
at San Jose University in 2023. When not at work, Suzanne enjoys fostering cats, watching
films, and practicing self-care.
Melissa Bañuelos: Adjunct Reference Librarian
After receiving her undergraduate degree in studio art from UC Irvine, Arvin native
Melissa Bañuelos worked in the curatorial department at the Bakersfield Museum of
Art, handling artwork from hundreds of artists over the course of five years. Her
direct care for and documentation of art lead her to obtain her MLIS degree from San
Jose State University in 2024. Bañuelos volunteered at her local public library and
worked as the assistant librarian for Grow Academy Arvin before joining BC as an Adjunct
Reference Librarian this past January.
Kimberlie Sullivan: Adjunct Reference Librarian
Originally from Bakersfield, Kimy studied Environmental Studies and Literature at
UC Santa Cruz before earning her Master’s in Library and Information Science and a
graduate certificate in Disability Studies from the University of Washington. She
loves making zines that help students feel more comfortable using the library and
exploring information in creative ways. Outside the library, she enjoys running, hiking,
climbing, and hanging out with her dog, Ringo.
Library Summer Classes
We are happy to announce that we are offering LIBR courses this summer for the first time in many years. Whether or not you are teaching classes this summer, please encourage students to sign up, as all of these classes are a great way to help students get their research skills up to par. We also welcome faculty, staff, and community members in any of the NC courses! All of the courses listed below are taught online asynchronously this summer.
- 50122 LIBR B1 Introduction to College Research, course dates 6/9-7/3
- Our 1 unit, transfer-level class that provides students with the skills they need to find and evaluate sources for college-level research. Students often tell us that they think this class is so helpful they think this class should be required to graduate at BC!
- 50123 ACTCB68NC Introduction to AI, course dates 6/9-6/18
- The first course in our non-credit Emerging Media Literacy certificate, this course equips learners with the fundamental skills of engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their personal, professional, and/or academic lives. Students may take this or any of the other courses in this series as a stand-alone course if they do not wish to complete the certificate.
- 50124 LIBRB69NC Online Safety, course dates 6/23-7/3
- The second course in our non-credit Emerging Media Literacy certificate, this course empowers learners to thrive in an online environment by using effective online safety and privacy techniques.
- 50125 LIBR B70NC Contemporary Issues & Mass Media, course dates 7/7-7/17
- This final course in our non-credit Emerging Media Literacy certificate, this course effectively prepares learners to engage critically with news and mass media in multiple modalities and includes information on avoiding misinformation and evaluating sources for bias.
Library Services Summer 2025
Library Hours
We know you’ve been waiting with bated breath to find out our library hours this summer!
-
BC Panorama (Main) Library: May 19-August 7, Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-6:00PM
-
BC Delano Library: June 9-July 17,Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-6:00PM
-
BC Southwest Library: June 9-July 17, Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
-
BC Arvin Library: June 9-July 17, Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
*All libraries will be closed on May 26 (Memorial Day) and June 19 (Juneteenth).
Library Services
In addition to 1:1 help from librarians in person and on chat, study space, computers, printing, study rooms, books, and 24/7 access to millions of online resources, students can also access the following services this summer:
Library orientations
Faculty are welcome to request library orientations for their summer courses at any point between now and the end of summer. Please keep in mind that our availability to teach orientations mirrors our library hours.
Library research skills workshops
We are thrilled to let you know that, due to popular demand, we will offer library workshops this summer for the first time! We are offering four (4) Zoom workshops this summer, all on Wednesday evenings from 7:00PM-8:00PM. Stay tuned for more information by email coming soon.
Rural Campus Spotlights
The Bakersfield College Library reaches all five of our sites (including the Shafter Library and Learning Center, a public library we partner with). Find out this semester’s happenings in each location, starting northernmost and moving south. We hope to see you at our libraries soon!
Delano
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Second Annual Oscars Ballot & Screening
Event! The event was a wonderful celebration of cinema, community, and a little friendly
competition. This year’s Oscars ballot drew a record number of participants, with
movie lovers from across campus submitting their predictions for categories like Best
Picture, Best Director, and Best Costume Design. Congratulations to College Safety
Officer Orozco for the most accurate ballot! Our screening event brought a touch of
Hollywood glamor to Delano with themed décor, popcorn, and other snacks. We’re already
looking forward to next year!
Shafter Library & Learning Center
The Shafter Library has recently acquired some Braille books for their collection,
thanks to a Friends of the Shafter Library contribution. These books provide readers
with the story written in English with clear Braille lettering taped over. This makes
the books inclusive to children who are blind or visually impaired, as well as to
older family members reading to young children. It also provides a learning opportunity
to those who are not visually impaired to learn more about Braille. We are excited
about this addition to our collection!
Southwest
Library Services at BCSW recently moved into its own space in Room #231. The library
offers so much more than just books. Our friendly librarians are here to assist students
and staff with research and finding the perfect resources. Beyond our growing collection,
we also provide a quiet and comfortable space for students to study, focus, or simply
unwind between classes.
Arvin
With the opening of the BC Arvin Educational Center in January 2025, Library Services
has expanded to The Dr. James Clark Young Library in Room # 115. The library space
includes books on reserve and for check out, 12 computers, a printer, 4 study rooms,
an electronic charging station, and, of course, librarians to assist with reference
questions. The library is open from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. Monday through Thursday, and
is a great place to study, relax with a puzzle or game, or read.
Cross-Campus Collaborations: Staff Shoutout
Our work at the library depends on library advocates in all aspects of the Bakersfield College community. Each newsletter, we will highlight someone from outside the Library and Academic Technology department who champions the library and library services with our students.
Kimy Salazar kicks off this column because of all the amazing work she does to connect students to the resources they need to succeed- academically and beyond. Our goals to meet student needs via research and reference services, as well as holistic approaches such as De-Stress Fest and passive programming, align well with Kimy’s efforts.
Kimy Salazar
Kimy Salazar began her journey as a first-generation student at Bakersfield College
before transferring to California State University, Bakersfield, where she earned
a bachelor's degree in Psychology. She then obtained her Master of Social Work degree
from the University of Southern California. Since August 2021, Kimy has worked in
the Office of Student Life at BC, supporting students through the Students of Concern
Team. In her current role as Program Manager for Mental Health Wellness and Students
of Concern, she is dedicated to helping students achieve their full potential by addressing
student concerns, referring students to on- and off-campus resources, and providing
mental health support services.
Donate This, Not That (Please!)
Want to support our ongoing projects at the library? Here are some handy ways to do so!
The Period Library
The library is seeking your donations of menstrual products to contribute to our Period
Library! We provide menstrual products to library users, no questions asked. Librarians,
students, and community members graciously donate so we can keep this going.
Book Donations Paused During Collection Revitalization
Panorama campus librarians are currently taking an in-depth look at our print collections and ensuring that the titles we have serve student needs and accurately reflect course catalog offerings. While we work on completing this project, we are asking for anyone interested in donating books to please consider alternatives to our library. And if you are looking to add more used books to your home libraries, stay tuned for upcoming library book sales!
