The Morton & Angela Topfer Library Cafe


http://ait.brooklyn.cuny.edu/librarycafe/index.htm

  • Nothing Succeeds Like Success!


    • We could never have anticipated the Library Cafe's incredible success. Five years old in January 2004, today Cafe usage exceeds 700 students each day, and 800+ days are a common occurrence. The Library Cafe is the only CUNY student lab open 24x7; it provides 88 hours of staffed service each week. We are especially proud of finals week each semester when the Cafe is staffed 24 hours a day, giving students the assistance they need to complete their research projects. Directing students to the Cafe for immediate one-on-one technology training has proven quite successful. Our message to faculty is that they need not spend valuable class time training students in technology basics.

    This chart, reflecting exam week usage, December 2003, tells the tale:

    Library Cafe Usage
    Exam Week, Fall 2003

    12/14/03 12/15/03 12/16/03 12/17/03 12/18/03
    12:00 - 12:30 35 65 92 72 73
    12:30 - 01:00 29 69 79 63 74
    01:00 - 01:30 25 60 78 63 68
    01:30 - 02:00 20 51 56 56 52
    02:00 - 02:30 19 46 54 47 55
    02:30 - 03:00 17 43 45 45 52
    03:00 - 03:30 15 41 44 42 51
    03:30 - 04:00 15 39 45 41 46
    04:00 - 04:30 14 35 41 42 47
    04:30 - 05:00 15 30 45 39 47
    05:00 - 05:30 12 29 44 32 42
    05:30 - 06:00 14 23 45 33 41
    06:00 - 06:30 18 15 41 43 36
    06:30 - 07:00 20 18 62 65 45
    07:00 - 07:30 32 17 61 60 47

    (Total # of students, awake or sleeping, not just those at computers)

  • A New Wing for the Library Cafe


    • http://www.tek-arch.com/
    "We are excited to hear from Steve Little that the contractor for the Library Cafe has been registered (at last!). Sounds like the extension will start soon." Jack Esterson, Partner, TEK Thanhauser Esterson Kapell Architects P.C.
    Only sixteen months after the Library Cafe's grand opening, although the service week had been significantly extended, students were literally waiting in line to work in this exceptional facility. At the request of President Christoph Kimmich the Brooklyn City Council agreed to fund an expansion of the Cafe into a part of the plaza fronting the facility. Following an intensive competition, Architects Thanhauser Esterson Kapell (TEK) were awarded the project.

    Planning for the extension to the Cafe proceeded throughout 2003-2004. The architects have a gorgeous Flash-enabled Web site that shows both stills and animations of the present Cafe and the proposed expansion. We are delighted that additional funds were found for the extension, enabling us to use the highest standard of materials. A model of the extension was recently displayed at the opening of the AIA's new headquarters
    www.aia.org

    The summer will be spent developing a service delivery model for the construction period. The New Media Center and the new student lab planned for the Library's lower level (fall 2004) will relieve some of the burden on the Cafe; however, the relocation of the Atrium Lab to the rather remote Field Building will increase pressure on the student labs managed by the Library/Academic IT.

    On July 1 the president's Chief of Staff Jane Herbert and Vice-President Steve Little convened a meeting to discuss plans for a groundbreaking event for September 10, 2004. Benefactor Morton Topfer will be present.


  • Library Cafe Workshops

    • In 2003-2004 Cafe staff offered 60 student technology workshops. This program for spring 2004 gives a good idea of variety and content. Evening and Weekend Supervisor Laurence Albrecht designs and conducts these popular workshops.
    Date Workshop Title
    01/31/04 Intro to Computers
    02/01/04 Intro to Computers
    02/07/04 Document Basics (I)
    02/08/04 Document Basics (I)
    02/14/04 Document Basics (II)
    02/15/04 Document Basics (II)
    02/21/04 MS Excel
    02/22/04 MS Excel
    02/28/04 Internet (I)
    02/29/04 Internet (I)
    03/06/04 Internet (II)
    03/07/04 Internet (II)
    03/13/04 Blackboard
    03/14/04 Blackboard
    03/20/04 Computer Safety
    03/22/04 Computer Safety
    04/21/04 Blackboard
    04/24/04 Web Site Authoring
    04/25/04 Web Site Authoring
    05/01/04 MS Excel Advanced
    05/02/04 MS Excel Advanced
    05/05/04 Blackboard
    05/08/04 MS PowerPoint
    05/09/04 MS PowerPoint
    05/15/04 A Look at Macs
    05/16/04 A Look at Macs
    05/19/04 Blackboard
    05/22/04 Blackboard
    05/23/04 Blackboard