MultimediaLibrary, AIT, and ITS (Information Technology Services) continued to work with
multimedia consulting firm Shen Milsom and Wilkie (and particularly with Shen's Jon
Burris) to design the new building's multimedia distribution system. Our plan is to delay the
selection of the equipment as long as possible, in order to purchase the most contemporary
and best-priced components. The system will distribute digital media throughout the
Library; when the Electronic Campus Project is complete, its reach will extend to the
entire campus.
TelephonesBy spring 2000, we knew it was unlikely that the campus' new telephone system would be
complete by the time we occupied the new Library building. In the fall, the College began
seeking temporary solutions. (Termed "temporary," in fact the approach selected will be in
use for some time.) Two vendors were selected and each was asked to propose a turnkey
telephone system. Both companies' services are available on State contract, providing for
a much faster design and bid process. A decision is expected early in 2001.
Desktop EquipmentThe new Library will offer 860 public-access net taps and 189 connections for staff.
However, with the exception of a handful of workstations for the New Media Center,
desktop equipment to connect to these taps was never part of the Library Project. (When
the State provided Project funding several million dollars below the University's request,
desktop equipment was among the items removed from the budget.)
At the same time, the amount of usable equipment that can be moved back to the new
Library from temporary locations includes only 65 public-access machines: to attach
machines to every net tap on Day One would require an estimated $1.2 million dollars. The
College has yet to identify a funding source for the needed equipment; we are hopeful that
CUNY central will partner with us in this effort.
