What Even Is a Toyon?
On Charles Bloom
Toyon magazine was named by librarian, nature enthusiast, photographer, and beloved mentor, Charles Bloom. After coming to HSU in 1952, he quickly became an active member of the community. He suggested the name Toyon for the just-beginning, student-produced creative arts journal. Although the journal itself has undergone many transformations, Bloom’s influence lasts in the simple and symbolic title that connects the magazine to the local terrain and flora. He even had a piece published an early edition of the Toyon called “Upon Buenos Aires” which consisted of a series of journal entries—an early example of the legacy of creative non-fiction work in Toyon.
When he wasn’t working as a research librarian, Bloom was hiking, fishing, and taking pictures of the incredible landscapes of Humboldt County. Upon his death in May of 1998, he donated his collection of photographs spanning four consecutive decades to the Special Collections room of the library in which he devoted his life to the students of HSU. His photos show pristine and beautiful mountains, forests, and rivers along with life at HSU and pictures of surrounding towns. Charles Bloom also led the hiking group on campus, known as Boots ‘n Blisters, whose members hiked for three decades. His other accomplishments include the publication of his library guide, Ways to the Wilderness: a list of books on wilderness travel in the Library, California State University, Humboldt.
When he wasn’t working as a research librarian, Bloom was hiking, fishing, and taking pictures of the incredible landscapes of Humboldt County. Upon his death in May of 1998, he donated his collection of photographs spanning four consecutive decades to the Special Collections room of the library in which he devoted his life to the students of HSU. His photos show pristine and beautiful mountains, forests, and rivers along with life at HSU and pictures of surrounding towns. Charles Bloom also led the hiking group on campus, known as Boots ‘n Blisters, whose members hiked for three decades. His other accomplishments include the publication of his library guide, Ways to the Wilderness: a list of books on wilderness travel in the Library, California State University, Humboldt.
Pin worn by Bloom, Head of Public Services—when he was crowned winner of Ugliest Professor Contest, HSU 5/6/61.
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He was crowned the winner of the “Ugliest Professor Contest” at the annual Lumberjack Days campus celebration.
A man on the move, Bloom often explored new horizons each year, and he wrote a nature poem annually to send out to fellow librarians as a Christmas newsletter. His poems centered around his travels, nature, and the coming of the holiday season. Often funny and sentimental, he commiserates in one poem about the long rainy season Humboldt students know so well: |
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“And as the weary weeks go by
All clammy, cold, and gray, Good Humboldt folks, well dampened down, Grow moldier by the day;” –(Charles Bloom, 1986: Something Fishy) Charles Bloom, HSU Library Nov. 1952 |
Charles Bloom, HSU Library Nov. 1952
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He was well-loved by his students and colleges and kept regular correspondence with fellow librarian, Dean Galloway who described Bloom’s letters saying “the joy, of course, comes from the bits of news couched in Bloomer style” (Galloway). He retired from his work in the library in 1983, but his influence on the Toyon Literary Magazine, in name and in its connection to the natural world, continues on.
—Gloria Pearlman, Toyon Critical Writing Division Editor
Citations
Bloom, Charles. HSU Library, Staff File. Arcata, 1952-1983.
Bloom, Charles. Charles Bloom Slide Collection. Arcata, 1952.
Galloway, Dean. Received by Charles Bloom, Iran, 8 Feb. 1957, Tehran.
—Gloria Pearlman, Toyon Critical Writing Division Editor
Citations
Bloom, Charles. HSU Library, Staff File. Arcata, 1952-1983.
Bloom, Charles. Charles Bloom Slide Collection. Arcata, 1952.
Galloway, Dean. Received by Charles Bloom, Iran, 8 Feb. 1957, Tehran.
