COMMITTEE WORK - THE 411

While on the Path train the other day it occurred to me that I have served on several library working groups as well as several committees. Some of them I distinctly remember volunteering for but the others your guess is as good as mine. I suspect that Kimberly had something to do with my “Volunteering.” Whether I volunteered or not is moot, the only real point is that I participated in the groups. My role on the committees have been varied, on some I was the leader and for others I was just one of the members playing whatever part/role that made sense. I lead the access services open house working group (some of you might remember that) and I headed the two library art show committees, I do hope that you remember the Art shows. I am one of the founding members of the University sustainability advocates group and also a founding member of the library sustainability committee and still an active member. I am also currently on the quality of life and the rewards and recognition committees.

My thoughts regarding the committee work are all positive: all of the experiences have help me grow as a manager, I have had and continue to meet and work with many wonderful and talented co-workers and colleagues some of whom I otherwise would have probably only known in passing. There is a diversity of talent in this organization which I find absolutely fascinating and I realize that it is because of the committee work that I have gotten exposure to this community. While committee work stretches you a little thinner and adds one more thing to your already packed daily schedule, I cannot help but argue that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Not everyone has had the opportunity to be a part of or work on a committee or working group but I encourage you to embrace the opportunity when it arises - take the leap because the experience is very rewarding. You will meet great people; learn a lot about what is happening in the library and you will have the opportunity to make your contributions to the growth of this organization. There is no doubt that all of us have something to contribute and there is undoubtedly a place at the committee table for everyone. That includes "YOU."

First " Other Works" Then "Memories", Bridging Personal Life With Work Life

Art, art and more art, is there anything else to life? I absolutely love art. You probably would not have guessed that by looking at me. As a young kid I was obsessed with being a cartoonist. As a teen I played Classical, Latin and Jazz saxophone. In my twenties and thirties my thing was filmmaking and photography. Now, I prefer painting as a form of expression. It is quite clear to me that I have been an artist all my life.

Two years ago I had the absolute pleasure of working with an unbelievably talented team of library employees; Paula De Stepfano, Melitte Buchman, Gary Speziale,and Dan Lega,on the first library wide art show “Other Works.” Together we identified and gathered some very talented creative folks working in this organization. Had it not been for the art show we probably would have never known that there are so many artists amongst us. Access services were well represented in “Other Works.” Dan Lega, Maria Moraitis, Gary Speziale and I all participated in the show. One of the art pieces from the show created by Melissa Gasparotto is still on display in the stairwell on LL2. Take a look at this slide show from the opening reception: http://tinyurl.com/yh25ly8

One aspect of the strategic plan has to do with community building and staff morale. The Art Show embraced both of those aspects. Basically, our first art show was an outstanding event and it made the entire library proud.

The second library art show “Memories” is now being curated and once again we have an outstanding team on board. Melitte Buchman, Kristin deNeeve, Heidi Frank, Gary Speziale, and yours truly are doing absolutely great work and having a lot of fun doing it. It’s almost like lightening has struck twice in the same place and for me it is very exciting being part of this endeavor. Creative artists working for the library are coming forward and committing themselves to exhibiting their work in the show.

We are excited to have a guest curator, Professor Ann Chwatsky, coordinator of the Art and Media program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, Department of Art and Art Professions. Ann is an internationally recognized photographer who curates the gallery space at the Wagner Graduate school of Public Service at NYU. We have also expanded the show this time to include performance art and the spoken word. If you are not yet in the show and you wish to be, there is still a little time left. Contact Ted Lawton at tl1@nyu.edu.

Mark your calendars folks. This years’ art show opens May 26th 2010. A reception will be held in the Tracy/Barry Gallery. Bobst - Fales library - 3rd floor.