SECTION IV: STAFFING


"Dr. Barbra Higginbotham and her staff at the Library continue to offer patrons excellent service. The committee applauds their essential contributions and their drive to provide students and faculty with the best support possible. Each member of this committee commented on the excellent support they received from their respective research specialists, and the high quality of the on-line catalog and databases maintained by the Library's staff." Faculty Council's Committee on the Library, Annual Report 2003-2004
The new Library has completed its second academic year and usage has soared; this is especially apparent when students pour out onto the quad during a fire drill! It is hardly surprising that a well-located, spacious facility built to a high aesthetic standard and offering four times as many seats, more and better equipment, and greater comforts is besieged by students. In response, the College has made a real effort to build Library staffing and achieved some success. In the fall 2002 a new $24,000 appropriation enabled us to add eight hours of weekly service to the Library program. So powerful was student and faculty reaction that in September 2003 these one-time-only funds were made a part of the Library's base operating budget. On a busy day, more than 5,000 readers enter and exit the Library building.

These professional positions were filled in 2003-2004:
  • Digital Course Development Specialist (Higher Education Assistant)

  • Manager, New Media Center (Higher Education Assistant)

  • Reference Librarian & Bibliographer (substitute Assistant Professor)

  • Reference Librarian (substitute Instructor)

    • The Library concluded the 2002/2003academic year with:

    18.00 Librarians (full-time)
        .15 Faculty on lines shared with other departments
        .35 FTE adjuncts (weekend librarians)
      9.00 Higher Education Officers
      2.00 College Laboratory Technicians
      2.00 Information Systems Aides
    16.00 Supporting staff (full-time)
    30.50 FTE College Assistants
    14.80 FTE Student Aides & Work-Study Students
    92.80 Total Library & Academic Information Technologies FTEs
  • New Faculty & Professional Staff


    • "I would like to take this moment to thank you for the opportunity to work at the Brooklyn College Library. The experience has been quite fulfilling and satisfying. When I started this position in February of 2003, I didn't know what to expect. Of course, many roads have been traveled and many bridges crossed. With the help of the fine Library staff I was able to tackle reference problems and learn many new things. Teaching classes and helping students and professors alike, I've really felt a part of the staff. The renovated Library with its wonderful décor and excellent technology has enriched the lives of the students, faculty and staff in many ways. I'm proud to have worked at such a fine school with a fine staff. So, let me say once again, thank you and take care." David Paul, Substitute Instructor
    We began the fall semester by hiring two substitute reference librarians, replacements for January 2002 retirees Frederick Bogin and Renee Feinberg. This gave the Library time to recruit to fill two permanent lines allocated to us effective fall 2004. Paraskeva Dimova and David Paul were enormously helpful throughout the 2003-2004 academic year, providing much better continuity in collection development, reference service, and library instruction than adjunct hours would have permitted. Ms Dimova is a recent library school graduate; she also holds a library credential from a Bulgarian institution. Mr. Paul is not only a librarian but also a professional musician.

    In Academic IT, on March 22 Petek Kent joined the staff as the Digital Course Development specialist. Ms Kent is a former Brooklyn College Web manager (1997-1999); more recently she was director of Internet development for a commercial Internet-based company. Her background includes experience with an impressive array of development software and her education includes numerous courses in the visual arts.

  • Employee of the Month


    • In December of 2003, our conservator Slava Polishchuk was named Brooklyn College Employee of the Month, the first Library employee to be thus named. We have known all along what a wonderful employee Slava is, and it was a proud moment for the Special Collections team and the entire Library when his name was announced. Slava summed up his job after his award acceptance in his always eloquent and modest style:
    "All these wonderful papers and books in the Brooklyn College archives need special care. In my mind, a book is like a person. It has its own life. I have to choose the right kind of treatment for it. Some are so fragile, like dust. ... Each book is a part of memory. It doesn't matter if it's from the eighteenth or nineteenth century, somebody put all of his or her knowledge on those pages, and you have to save it for future generations." Slava Polishchuk, Conservator.
  • Leaves of Absence


    • Electronic Information Specialist Beth Evans took family leave during December and January as she and her husband adopted a new baby; she returned to work 3/5 time on February 1, 2004. Information Literacy Specialist Mariana Regalado, having worked half-time for some months following the December 2002 birth of her son, increased her schedule to 3/5 time in October 2003. Elizabeth Pines has been on family leave since the February birth of her son. CUNY Office Assistant Edythe Rosenblatt was on medical leave from August 22-October 20, 2003; we are delighted to have her back and in the pink of health. Head of Acquisitions Bertha Bendelstein has been on extended sick leave, beginning October 27. Librarian James Castiglione was on leave from September through November.

  • Promotions, Tenure, & Position Upgrades


    • Associate Professor Irwin Weintraub was granted tenure effective September 1, 2004. The position held by Sandra Stumbo, Assistant to the Chief Librarian, was upgraded to CUNY Administrative Assistant Level II. CUNY Office Assistant Sherry Warman received her Level IV as did Bernice Suphal, the Library's bookkeeper. Ms Warman is nearing the completion of her library degree. Reserves Assistant Barbara Allier was selected for the CUNY Administrative Assistant Level I position Circulation Supervisor; her promotion will take effect during the summer 2004.

    In the fall 2004 New Media Center Evening and Weekend Manager Harold Wilson will be considered for promotion to Senior College Laboratory Technician; his promotional documents were submitted spring 2004. (As of this academic year, 2003-2004, owing the College's much-needed reorganization of the departmental divisional structure, the Library is part of the Humanities Division. We are very happy in our new home, and Mr. Wilson will be the first candidate to be considered under the new structure.)

  • Retirements


    • In March Circulation Supervisor Carol McLaughlin retired; a lovely party was held in her honor.

  • Departures


    • We were sorry that immigration difficulties caused the March departure of Web Development Specialist Jim Cai. New Media Center Manager Nicholas Johnson left in April to accept a well-paying position in the private sector. Digital Course Development Specialist Alexis Lloyd resigned at the end of December in order to travel and teach yoga.

  • Non-reappointments


    • James Castiglione was not reappointed for the 2004-2005 academic year.

  • Recruiting: The Future


    • As the new academic year begins, the Library and Academic IT are recruiting to fill these positions:
  • Web Development Specialist (Higher Education Assistant)

  • Manager, Library Cafe (Higher Education Assistant)

  • Weekend Supervisor/Social Sciences Specialist (Assistant Professor)

  • Head of Reference Services/Humanities Specialist (Associate Professor)

  • Retreats


    • Two day-long planning retreats were held during the 2003-2004 academic year, both at Baruch College:

    December 17, 2003 Library Cabinet
    February 17, 2004 Academic IT professional staff