Library Committee Minutes, 10/30/19
Minutes
The Academic Senate Committee on Library Committee met on The Academic Senate Committee on Library met on October 30, 2019 in C-101 from 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Committee Members in Attendance:
Danny Mangra, Engineering Technology (2020)
Hayes Peter Mauro (Committee Chair), Art and Design (2021)
Angela Ridinger-Dotterman (Secretary), English (2022)
Cheryl Tokke, Business (2021)
Jodi VanDerHorn-Gibson, Speech (2022)
Biao Wang, Mathematics and Computer Science (2020)
Liaisons in Attendance:
Jeanne Galvin (Chief Librarian and Presidential Delegate)
Dhanmattie Khan (Student Government Association Liaison)
Business:
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m.
Students in Attendance:
Jason Bhimani (Student Government Association President Pro Tempore)
Britney Vasconcellos (Student Government Association Executive Vice President)
Anika Tansim Meem
Asia K. Khan
Nigelle Thomas
Committee Chair Mauro called the meeting to order.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously to approve the agenda.
A motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously to approve the minutes from the May 2019
Committee Chair Mauro reported that nothing has changed in regards to the need for accessible bathrooms in the library building. He reached out to both VP Faulkner and Professor Sara Danzi-Engoron (Biology), Chair of the Academic Senate Committee on Environment, Quality of Life, and Disability Issues. He has not yet heard back from either of them. He plans to reach out again.
Committee Chair Mauro reported on the status of the STEAM lab initiative that the Library Committee focused on for much of last year. He and Professor Ridinger-Dotterman submitted an application for a Planning Grant to the National Endowment for the Humanities at the beginning of September. A decision on the application is not expected before early April 2020. The grant application seeks funding for faculty development to create interdisciplinary digital textbooks focused on the archives of the KRC, the Queensborough Library, and the Senator Frank Padavan Archives (also housed in the library). The goal is to improve campus and public use and access to the materials housed in the archives by digitally curating the texts. Committee Chair Mauro extended the Library Committee’s thanks to Dean Wang and Professor Namdar (Chair, Engineering Technology) for writing letters of recommendation in support of the grant, as well as Dean Landy and Michael Laurence (Director of the Technology Lab) for their help in planning the scope of the grant project.
Professor Galvin asked what space had been identified for the STEAM lab. Committee Chair Mauro explained that the Engineering Technology Department’s Technology Lab already has most of the equipment needed, as well as a proximal classroom that can be used for STEAM activities part of the time. For now, the STEAM Lab will have to exist as a remote/migrating space instead of inhabiting a dedicated space; the Library Committee still hopes to locate a space within the library building.
Professor Ridinger-Dotterman asked about the space occupied by CETL on the 3rd floor of the Library Building, whether the recent changes in CETL staffing might create an opportunity to reorganize some space in the library. Professor Galvin said this need to be discussed with administration. Professor Galvin also added that cuts to tutoring might mean that there could be space on the first floor of the library, but again, that this question needs to be addressed with administration.
Professor Ridinger-Dotterman suggested that the committee contact OAA to find out if there has been a recent study of the use of spaces in the building to see if there is a possibility to create some kind of permanent home for the STEAM lab in the library building. While the manufacturing equipment needs to remain in the Technology Lab, a dedicated space in the library building could provide better access to archival materials. Jason Bhimani noted that the library does not have AutoCad software installed on its computers, which would be necessary for developing projects on the 3D printers (even if the printers remain located in the Technology Lab). It was suggested that the committee contact Professor Namdar to find out if the site license permits AutoCad software to be installed on computers in the library, should a dedicated space become available.
Committee Chair Mauro then opened the floor to a discussion of new business:
The first item considered was the Library Committee Charges. Committee Chair Mauro noted that the existing charges are vague and do not accurately describe the workload of the committee. The committee agreed to revise the charges in advance of the next meeting using online collaboration; the charges can then be finalized and voted on at the next meeting.
The second item considered was the committee liaison positions. The committee welcomed the newly appointed Student Government Association liaison, Dhanmattie Khan. Committee Chair Mauro noted that the formerly appointed Steering Committee liaison, Sujun Wei (Chemistry), would no longer be serving in the position; Committee Chair Mauro indicated that he would also serve in the role of Steering Committee liaison. It was also reported that Jeff Jankowski (Social Sciences) would not be serving as the liaison from the Committee on Committees, but will find someone else to fill the position.
The third item considered was a brief announcement that the Memorandum of Agreement on the new PSC contract could be made available to the union membership for voting soon.
The fourth item considered was introduced by the students in attendance at the meeting, concerning students’ access to quiet study space in the library. SGA leadership Britney Vasconellos and Jason Bhimani had previously asked Professor Galvin whether the study carrels located in the quiet study rooms could be relocated outside of the rooms and replaced with the tables that are located throughout the library; the remaining tables could be placed in the student union. They explained that in the current configuration, students do not use the study rooms for group work, and groups congregate at the tables, creating noise for students who want to study in the library. Placing the tables in the room would facilitate their use for group study, keeping the rest of the library reserved for quiet study. Professor Galvin reported that she approached VP Faulkner, who concluded that the move was not feasible: The tables are too large for the rooms, and such a move would require rewriting to power the carrels.
The SGA has been working to improve utilization of the student union, but students still do not like to use the union. Surveys indicate that students find the union uncomfortable and that there’s no room to sit.
Professor Galvin stated that the library worked last year to get students to stop eating in the library, and believed that the signage had improved the noise level and room for quiet study. The representatives of the SGA did not feel that the situation has improved.
Professor Ridinger-Dotterman asked whether it might be helpful to institute a sign in policy at the library, as most other CUNY schools already restrict access by requiring users to present a current ID card. Students who continue to violate rules governing food and noise could, if necessary, have their access the library revoked, as a way to help reclaim the library as a space for students to study. The SGA leadership supported this idea, and the committee agreed to approach the administration to discuss implementing this change.
The fifth item considered was introduced by Professor Tokke. The library has procured additional laptops that students can check out from the library to take home. This is a wonderful resource for students and it needs to be better promoted. Ideas for promoting the resource included adding it to the digital signage on campus and posting it on the QCC Instagram feed. Professor Galvin added that 24-hour reference help is going to be made available to students soon through the software Question Point. This resource also should be promoted. Professor Galvin explained that the library’s next student-centered technology wish is for hot spots that can be checked out for students who do not have internet access at home.
The final item of new business, also raised by a student attending the meeting, was that a number of power outlets in the library are not working. Professor Galvin told the student that she needed to report this to staff, who could the report this to Building and Grounds. Committee Chair Mauro made a note to follow up on this. This led to a discussion about the availability of charging stations in the library. The library has resisted installing charging stations to avoid them as points of congregation. Professor VanDerHorn-Gibson noted that John Jay has a device similar to a vending machine that locks students’ phones in while charging, so that the phone can remain secure while students move throughout the library. Professor Tokke suggested that the committee explore finding community businesses who might be willing to donate/sponsor the installation of this or other kinds of technology in the library.
The committee adjourned. The next meeting date will be set after following up on some of the action items from the meeting, in order to clarify the next meeting’s agenda.
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Ridinger-Dotterman
Committee on Library Committee , Secretary
Minutes typed on 10/31/19
