Narration


	LaGuardia Hall, the first building to comprise the Brooklyn College Library, rose at the head of the Quadrangle in 1936. In 1959, the College added the Gideonse extension. 2002 saw the completion of a new wing and a renovation of the first two buildings. This is the story of how that building project began, progressed, and finished--with a flourish and a profound sense of majesty. The result? The Once and Future Library. We invite you to page through this video history of the Brooklyn College Library Project and hear those exceptional people who created the new Library speak about it from their hearts, and in their own words.

	Long ago, in a borough not so very far away, Brooklyn College elected to begin a campus master planning project. Every building was to be assessed and rated in terms of its general physical condition, and its ability to play its assigned role within the College community. It was 1993, some 60 years after the construction of LaGuardia Hall and almost 35 years since the construction of the Gideonse extension: the Library was overcrowded and in sad physical condition.

	Barbra Higginbotham, the College librarian, determined to use the master planning exercise to the best advantage possible.

		Barbra Buckner Higginbotham, DLS Chief Librarian & Executive Director for Academic Information Technologies, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York Click on Image at left to view video

	And the fairy tale began. However, instead of a fairy godmother, ours was a godfather (ah! but this is Brooklyn ...) in the form of President Vernon Lattin, who selected the Library as the first project to flow from the master plan. While the evidence strongly suggested the Library as the College’s first choice, President Lattin might have found an athletic facility, or a new performing arts building, to be equally appealing. But, he chose the Library and thus must be the first hero of our story.

		Vernon Lattin President, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York (1992 - 2000) Click on Image at left to view video


	Were Brooklyn College a wealthy, privately-funded institution, perhaps President Lattin could simply have lifted his hand and commanded, “Build.” But our path to success was to be a longer and more winding one, and the next step was to convince the University to assign priority to the Brooklyn College Library Project. Patricia Hassett, Brooklyn’s Vice-President for Finance and Administration, and Chief Librarian Barbra Higginbotham began making their case to Deputy Chancellor Lawrence Mucciolo and Vice-Chancellor for Facilities Emma Macari: without their support, we could not emerge from the forests of Brooklyn to travel the road to Albany.

	Deputy Chancellor Larry Mucciolo knew Booklyn College well: he was both an alumnus, and our former Vice-President for Finance and Administration.

		Larry Mucciolo Deputy Chancellor, The City University of New York (1986 - 1997) Click on Image at left to view video

	Vice-Chancellor for Facilities Emma Macari appreciated immediately the College’s need for a new Library buidling. She became a staunch and active advocate, both within CUNY and beyond.

		Emma Macari Vice-Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Constuction, and Management, The City University of New York Click on Image at left to view video



	Lending support for the Library Project from the very beginning was Borough President Howard Golden, who understood the key role of the College within the borough and the critical importance of technology to its citizens.

		The Honorable Howard Golden Brooklyn Borough President (1977 - 2001) Click on Image at left to view video




	In 1996, the University made the Brooklyn College Library Project one of the top priorities in its capitol budget request, and our quest led us to Albany.

	Anointed with the blessing of the University, Vice-President Patricia Hassett strapped on her armor (for this is a modern fairy tale, and heroines require artillery rather than rustling gowns) and set off on the road to Albany. Once there, much jousting occurred before the prize was won.

		Patricia Hassett Vice President for Finance and Administration, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York (1993 - 1998) Click on Image at left to view video

	In the State Department of Budget, the College found a guide and ally in Charles (Chip) Foster, the program officer for higher education.

	Click here for audio interview	Charles (Chip) Foster Program Officer for Higher Education, New York State Budget Office

	As the capitol of our kingdom, Albany presented not one but multiple challenges, requiring that Brooklyn dispatch a new and powerful heroine, Assistant Vice-President Ella Weiss.

		Ella J. Weiss Assistant Vice-President for College Relations, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York Click on Image at left to view video

	The College found strong allies in both the State Senate and the Assembly. Then State Senator (now Borough President) Marty Markowitz (also a Brooklyn College graduate) threw his full support our way.

		The Honorable Marty Markowitz Brooklyn Borough President Click on Image at left to view video


	In the Assembly we found a true heroine in Rhoda Jacobs, an alumna of Brooklyn College and a savvy politician.

		The Honorable Rhoda S. Jacobs Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, New York State Assembly Click on Image at left to view video


	It was Ed Griffith who proved to be our knight in shining armor. He marshaled the Brooklyn delegation, refusing to vote on any other issue, until that of the Brooklyn College Library Project was put before the Assembly. To him we owe an enormous debt.

		The Honorable Edward Griffith New York State Assembly (1972 - 2000) Click on Image at left to view video


	Now, the year is 1996. With funding in hand for The Once and Future Library, we are free to choose the architects who will design and build our Palace of Print. From a great sea of famed applicants, the College chose the venerable and talented firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, represented by lead architect and wizard of design Sandy Howe.

		Sandy Howe Architect and Partner, Shelpley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott Click on Image at left to view video


	Shepley did not step alone into the breach. Partnered with them was Manhattan firm Buttrick White and Burtis, a specialist in the sympathetic restoration of historic buildings, represented first by Ted Burtis then, after his death in 2001, by Heidi Blau.

		Heidi Blau Lead Architect, and Partner, Buttrick White and Burtis (1986 - 2002) Click on Image at left to view video


	Building The Once and Future Library required careful oversight by the College. Who better to provide it, than Assistant Vice-President for Facilities Steve Czirak?

		Steve Czirak Assistant Vice-President for Facilities Planning and Operations, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York Click on Image at left to view video


	There was another architect associated with the building of The Once and Future Library, our advocate, our facilitator, our project manager, Marla Appelbaum. Within the Library, Marla became one of us: without her, The Once and Future Library would surely be a lesser place.

		Marla Appelbaum Architect & Project Manager, Brooklyn College Library Renovation and Expansion Project Click on Image at left to view video




	Like every good and satisfying tale, that of The Once and Future Library concludes with everyone living happily ever after in a building that is truly innovative and forward-looking, while at the same time embodying the best of traditional library values.

		Barbra Buckner Higginbotham, DLS Chief Librarian & Executive Director for Academic Information Technologies, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York Click on Image at left to view video



	Brooklyn College Library Oral History Project Special Edition Production Credits Faculty and Staff from: Office of the President Office of the Vice-President for Institutional Advancement Brooklyn College Library Office of Academic Information Technologies Morton and Angela Topfer Library Café 1st Unit Glenford (Kevin) Adams Federico Brusilovsky Nick Irons Sylvie Richards Suzie Samuel 2nd Unit Connie DiGeronimo Michael Golovushkin Barbra Buckner Higginbotham Nicole Hosten Jenny Hou Bonnie Impagliazzo Petek Kent-Abbott Marianne LaBatto James Liu Amy McGeeny Patricia Quercia Samina Khan Qureshi Alex Rudshteyn Jan Scott Howard Spivak Sandra Stumbo Bernice Suphal