From The Desk Of The Chief Librarian

No matter how many computers the library has, it isn’t enough. When we had only two or three for staff use, the competition for them was fierce. Now that we have 55 for public use, we have hundreds of students jockeying for positions at them. We hear constantly that the library needs more computers. We wholeheartedly agree.

Increasing numbers of information resources are being "published" for use with a computer either on a CD, in computer databases that you buy access to, or for general use on the Internet. And, more and more faculty are giving students assignments which require them to use information available only electronically, to submit their work via email, or to access web sites to read lecture notes and obtain assignments.

Without computer workstations, all this is not available to the library user. All our computers allow users to access the Internet, World Wide Web, and electronic mail. Unlike computers in other places on the campus, they are available to ALL levels of students, faculty, alumni, and staff in ALL subject disciplines ALL the hours the library is open.

Two Projects In The Works

We want to do more in terms of providing access to computing, and within our limited means, we are working on the following two projects:

1. We were awarded funding from the Auxiliary Enterprises Corporation ($9,000) to buy six computers for the main reference area on the second floor of Cohen Library. We cannot claim this money unless we can match it. Luckily we have been able to find money to match it, and orders are now being placed for 12 computers to add to those already there.

2. We applied to the City Council for discretionary funding to create the "Cohen Library Electronic Classroom" with 26 computers on the first floor (see the drawing which accompanies this column). With the assistance of Councilman Stanley Michels, we got $84,000 to fund the project. We had hoped to have the classroom built and ready to use by the beginning of this semester. Unfortunately for all of us, the project has been moved back behind several others here on campus, including the move of the college administration to Harris Hall. We do not yet have a firm date for the beginning of the project.

Down The Road

And what about the future? Since we are seeing more students coming into the library with their own laptop computers, and since desktop computers have such short life spans, we plan to install connections in all the libraries so that users can plug in their own notebooks and connect to the campus network. These connections should greatly increase flexibility and access.

Comments, suggestions, and feedback regarding the Library’s services are always welcome and should be addressed to me by calling x7271, sending email to prgcc@scisun.sci.ccny.cuny.edu, or by dropping by NAC 5/333 (Cohen Library).

Pamela Gillespie
Chief Librarian
prgcc@scisun.sci.ccny.cuny.edu