Annual Report of the Committee on Annual Report 2020-21

To: Steering Committee, Academic Senate

From: Chair, Committee on Library Committee

Date: August 12, 2021


Membership/officers

Wenjian Liu, Mathematics (2024)

Hayes Peter Mauro, Art & Design (2021)

Emily Pelletier, Social Sciences (2024)

Angela Ridinger-Dotterman, English (2022), Chair

Cheryl Tokke, Business (2021)

Jodi VanderHorn-Gibson (2022), Secretary


Liaisons

Jeanne Galvin (President’s)

Elizabeth DiGiorgio (Committee on Committees)

Hayes Peter Mauro (Senate Steering Committee)

Asia Khan (SGA)


Committee Meeting Dates

The committee met four times during the academic year: October 28, December 9, March 3, and May 12. The meetings were held at 12:30 via Zoom.


Narrative summary of committee work

Over the course of the academic year, the committee pursued several issues important to the QCC community.  The most significant of these issues will be addressed categorically below.

 

  1. Revised charges: During the 2019-2020 academic year, the Library Committee worked to revise our committee’s charges to better reflect the work of the committee.  At the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, we received feedback from the Bylaws Committee on the revised charges proposed in the 2019-2020 Annual Report. Based on the feedback, we worked to revise the charges, which were submitted to the Bylaws Committee, and finally approved by the Academic Senate during the February 9, 2021 meeting.

  2. Survey of library faculty: As an outgrowth of our discussions with the Bylaws Committee about the revised charges, the Library Committee decided to survey the Library Department in order to develop a better understanding of their perception of the Library’s strengths and challenges.  Emily Pelletier took the lead on conducting the survey, which was distributed to both full- and part-time members of the Library Department faculty and staff on November 30 as a Google form.  The survey asked participants to identify title and full/part-time status, as well as respond to the following questions:

  • What are the top three services the library offers the students?
  • What are the top three services the library offers faculty and staff?
  • What are the top three challenges of the library?
  • What improvements would you like to see to the library resources?
  • What changes would you like to see to the physical spaces in the library?
  • What additional support would help you in your work at the library?
  • What additional support would help the mission of the library?
  • Is there any additional information you would like to share with the Library Committee?

The Library Committee discussed the results of the survey at its March 3 and May 12 meetings.  The most immediately relevant finding was the challenge faced by the Library in making reserve materials available to the students during the pandemic.  The Library Committee initially determined that it would disseminate a recommendation to faculty to use OERs and zero cost textbook options via the Community Dialogue or another campus-wide list serve.  However, in consultation with the Steering Committee, it was determined that the announcement should come from the Library Department.

The Library Committee decided to revisit the findings of the survey during the Fall 2021 academic year, when more would be known about the opening status of the library and campus.

  1. Accessible bathrooms: As during the several preceding academic years, the Library Committee continued to follow the status of accessible bathrooms in the Library.  The committee reached out to VP William Faulkner for updates on the process.   In advance of our December 9 meeting, VP Faulkner advised that ADA bathrooms in the Library bathroom design had been funded and completed, and that the college had a NYC request for $2.0M going into the FY22 capital plan which procedurally, would be matched by the State budget.  However, given the financial crisis, the release of the approved funds would be determined according to available resources.  On June 11, 2021, VP Faulkner reached out to the Library Committee to advise that the City of New York had approved and funded the Library ADA bathrooms project, and that bidding would begin for a projected start date of Spring or Summer 2022.


Recommendations for Next Academic Year

It is recommended that the 2021-22 Library Committee engages in further study of the survey of the Library Department Faculty to identify future initiatives to support the library, as well as to improve communication between the Library Department and the Library Committee. The analysis of this survey should be shared in a report to the Academic Senate.

It is also recommended that the 2021-22 Library Committee revisit the initiatives identified as recommendations in the 2019-20 Annual Report, such the STEAM lab, support for digital projects utilizing the library’s archival collections, and collaboration with the SGA and other stakeholders to improve access and use of the library’s physical spaces.  The closure of the library building during the 2020-21 precluded substantive work or consideration of those initiatives. However, the closure of the library building during this academic year also highlights its richness as a resource for the Queensborough Community, and the importance of continuing to explore ways to help the community fully access and benefit from this resource.

Finally, the Library Committee has been asked to complete an updated committee guide. Preliminary discussion of the committee's guide began during the May 12, 2021 meeting. It was agreed that completing the guide will be a priority for the committee during the Fall 2021 semester.


New Committee Members – newly elected Chair and Secretary

The committee welcomes its new members for the upcoming academic year:  Professor Kebedech Tekleab (Art and Design) and Professor Elizabeth Sutton (Nursing). 


Acknowledgments

The Library Committee extends its thanks to Library Director Jeanne Galvin for sharing her expertise and her enthusiastic commitment to addressing the library-related concerns from QCC’s students and faculty, and for keeping the Library Committee updated on the many changes to the Library’s operations during the COVID crisis, including institutional and national protocols affecting library safety and access; Professors Steven Dahlke, Jannette Urciuoli, and Zivah Katz for their availability and guidance; Professor Urszula Golebiewska and the Bylaws Committee for their feedback and guidance on the process of revising our charges; VP William Faulkner for his continued work on the ADA bathrooms project; and the faculty and staff of the Library Department for their participation and thoughtful responses to our survey.


Respectfully Submitted,
Prof. Angela Ridinger-Dotterman, Chairperson

Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center exterior lit up at nightOpens in a new window
Kupferberg Holocaust Center Opens in a new window

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window
QPAC: Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoonOpens in a new window
QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.