Jianye He
Librarian for Chinese Collections
University of California, Berkeley: C.V. Starr East Asian Library
Berkeley, California
“She is the perfect face of Berkeley to the world, thinking for people as well as with them, devoting herself with incredible generosity and quick-wittedness to their work.”
At the University of California, Berkeley’s C.V. Starr East Asian Library, Jianye He is a builder of community and a vital resource for scholars.
Students and faculty in Berkeley and beyond rely on Jianye for expert assistance locating hard-to-find sources. Her vast network of research contacts, welcoming demeanor, and extensive knowledge of Chinese literature, history, media, and philosophy have made her indispensable to the scholarly community. Researchers across the country know they can count on Jianye to assist with their work or support their students.
In addition to her academic expertise, Jianye is also a builder of community. Her nominators describe her as a “home away from home” for Chinese visiting scholars in Berkeley, who turn to Jianye not just for reference requests but also with logistical questions about life in the United States and for recommendations for campus events. During the many challenges of 2020, Jianye provided emotional support and helpful information for visiting scholars about everything from pandemic-related travel restrictions to the strained state of U.S.-China relations.
“We are in constant awe at her knowledge of scholarly trends, her accessibility, and resourcefulness in locating materials difficult to find not only in the U.S., but even in China,” her nominators wrote. “Her vigorous research agenda and her boundless energy have not only left their mark on our internationally-renowned research collection—she has also helped make us better scholars, and a more closely-knit community.”