2025 Hispanic Heritage Month graphic

Cal State San Bernardino students have another reason to stop by the John M. Pfau Library this fall.

The “Pop-Tart, Pop-In!” series with dean of CSUSB Libraries, Rebecca Lubas, is back, offering students a chance to enjoy Pop-Tarts, engage in crafts, and connect with the library in a fun, welcoming, and inclusive way.

Held at noon each Monday throughout the semester, the events feature giveaways, themed crafts, and book celebrations tied to Hispanic Heritage Month, LGBTQ History Month, Native Heritage Month, Veterans Day and Banned Books Week.

The next Pop-Tart hour will take place at noon, Monday, Sept. 15, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.  To celebrate the occasion, free copies of Julia Alvarez’s “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents,” a novel that explores the lives of two sisters who emigrate from the Dominican Republic to New York, will be distributed to students on a first-contact basis.

Student Diego Rendon, president of CSUSB Associated Students Inc., will be the special guest on Oct. 6 for the book giveaway of “Gabi: A Girl in Pieces,” written by award-winning author Isabel Quintero, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree from CSUSB.  The book, her first YA novel, was the recipient of multiple awards, including the Tomas Rivera Award, California Book Award Gold Medal, and the Morris Award for Debut YA Novel. The event celebrates Banned Books Week.

Upcoming events include book giveaways of “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,” on Oct. 20 for LGBTQ Month; “The Things They Carried,” on Nov. 10 for Veterans Day; and “Never Whistle at Night,” on Nov. 17 for Native American Heritage Month.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet students and chat with them during their busy day,” said Lubas, who started the series. “Even if a student can only say hello while grabbing a snack or some library information, it’s great to see them! The book giveaway days are special — I love sharing books and ideas!”

With themed Pop-in days, from heritage months to Halloween to a holiday send-off, the series blends community, conversation and creativity. Students can look forward to a warm welcome, a tasty treat, and a chance to discover new books and resources at noon every Monday in the library.

Check the library’s events calendar for updates. For more information, contact Isabel Guzman, outreach and engagement librarian, at isabel.guzman@csusb.edu or (909) 537-3891.