A Brief History of the York College Library

by John A. Drobnicki


Part I: The Chief Librarians


When York College opened in 1967, it was housed primarily on the campus of Queensborough Community College, in Bayside, Queens. York's Library was located in the basement of Queensborough's Library, and the three original Library faculty members were Professors Judith Bartlett, Benedetto DiRusso, and Gladys Jarrett.

During the first year, the York Library was overseen by Queensborough's Chief Librarian, Professor Charles Pappalardo, who was simultaneously employed by York as an Adjunct Lecturer. For more on the history of the Queensborough Community College Library, you can take their historical virtual tour.



Charles Pappalardo
Prof. Charles Pappalardo
Queensborough C.C. Chief Librarian, 1960-1983
York Library Supervisor, 1967-1968


In 1968, York College's first President, Dr. Dumont Kenny, recruited and appointed George M. Bailey to become York's first Chief Librarian. Professor Bailey had been Exective Secretary of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) from 1963 to 1968, and had previously worked in the libraries of Northwestern University, the University of California at Davis, and the University of California at Berkeley. He held Master's degrees in History from the University of Pennsylvania, and in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin.

Professor Bailey left York in 1971 and became Associate Director of Libraries for The Claremont Colleges from 1971 until his retirement in 1989.


George Bailey
Prof. George Bailey
Chief Librarian, 1968-1971


After Professor Bailey left York in the Summer of 1971, Professors J. Edward Bradford and Gladys W. Jarrett were designated as Co-Acting Chief Librarians by York's Acting President David Newton and Dean of Faculty Lewis Bodi.

Professor Bradford had joined the York Library in 1968 as Head of Technical Services.  He held Master's degrees in English Literature and Library Science from the University of Oklahoma, and previously worked as Chief of Technical Processing at the Queens Borough Public Library.  Professor Bradford left York in 1974.  See below for information on Co-Acting Chief Librarian Gladys Jarrett.


Ed Bradford
Prof. Edward Bradford
Co-Acting Chief Librarian, 1971-1972


In 1972, Fred J. Harsaghy, Jr., was hired by York College President Milton Bassin to serve as the College's second Chief Librarian.

Professor Harsaghy had previously administered libraries in Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. He received a Master's degree in Library Science from Columbia University, and Master's and Ph.D. degrees in Public Administration from New York University. After he left York in 1974, Dr. Harsaghy taught at the University of New Haven and in the Danbury, Connecticut, public school system. He passed away in 1996.

Click for a 1973 interview with Dr. Harsaghy.


Fred Harsaghy
Dr. Fred Harsaghy
Chief Librarian, 1972-1974




After again serving as Acting Chief Librarian, Gladys W. Jarrett was appointed by President Bassin in February 1976 to be York College's third Chief Librarian.

Professor Jarrett was one of York's original faculty members, having started in the Library in 1967, working in Cataloging and then as Head of Public Services. It is very likely that Professor Jarrett was the first African-American woman to be a Chief Librarian in The City University of New York system.

Professor Jarrett had previously worked at Pace University and the Brooklyn Public Library. She held Master's Degrees in Spanish from Teachers College of Columbia University, and in Library Science from Pratt Institute. Prof. Jarrett was elected President of LACUNY (the Library Association of the City University of New York) for 1972-1973.  She retired from York College in 1985.

Professor Jarrett passed away in July 2007.


Gladys Jarrett
Prof. Gladys Jarrett
Co-Acting Chief Librarian, 1971-1972
Acting Chief Librarian, 1974-1976
Chief Librarian, 1976-1985


Benedetto DiRusso was appointed York's fourth Chief Librarian by President Bassin in 1986, after having served as Acting Chief Librarian for a year.

Professor DiRusso was an original York faculty member, having started in the Library in 1967, working in Public Services and then as Deputy Chief Librarian. He previously worked as science librarian at St. John’s University, and also at the Brooklyn Public Library. Professor DiRusso received Master's degrees in Library Science from Pratt Institute, and in Business Administration from St. John's University. He served as Treasurer of LACUNY (the Library Association of the City University of New York) during 1975-1976. Professor DiRusso stepped down as Chief Librarian in 1988, and retired in 1990.


Ben DiRusso
Prof. Ben DiRusso
Acting Chief Librarian, 1985-1986
Chief Librarian, 1986-1988


After serving as Acting Chief Librarian for a year, J. Kevin Barry was appointed York's fifth Chief Librarian by President Bassin in 1989.

Professor Barry had joined the York College Library faculty in 1974 as Acquisitions Librarian, and previously worked at Northeastern University. He held Master's degrees in English Literature from Drew University, and in Library Science from Simmons College. Professor Barry became York's Deputy Chief Librarian in 1992, and held that position until his retirement in 2001. He also served the faculty as Grievance Officer and then Chapter Chair of the York College Chapter of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC), the CUNY faculty union.


Kevin Barry
Prof. Kevin Barry
Acting Chief Librarian, 1988-1989
Chief Librarian, 1989-1992


Robert A. Machalow was appointed York's sixth Chief Librarian in 1992 by President Josephine Davis.

Professor Machalow had joined the York College Library faculty in 1982, working as the Curriculum Materials Center Librarian, Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Bibliographic Instruction Librarian, and Systems Librarian. He received a Master's degree in English Literature from Indiana University, and in Library Science from Rutgers University.


Robert Machalow
Prof. Robert Machalow
Chief Librarian, 1992-2007


Kenneth Schlesinger was appointed by President Marcia Keizs to be York's Acting Chief Librarian on Feb. 1, 2007. Professor Schlesinger had been Director of Media Services at LaGuardia Community College since 2000.  Previously, he worked in both libraries and archives at Hostos Community College, Thirteen/WNET, Time Inc., the Museum of Television & Radio, NBC News, and the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music. He received a Master's degree in Information and Library Science from Pratt Institute, and an M.F.A. in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from Yale University. He left York at the end of June to become Chief Librarian at Lehman College.



Kenneth Schlesinger
Prof. Kenneth Schlesinger
Acting Chief Librarian, Feb. 2007-June 2007


John A. Drobnicki was appointed by President Marcia Keizs to be York's Acting Chief Librarian on July 2, 2007. Professor Drobnicki had joined the York College Library faculty in 1995, starting as the Evening & Weekend Librarian-in-Charge, and then becoming Head of Reference Services, Library Webmaster, and Electronic Resources Librarian. He received a Master's degree in History from St. John's University, and in Library Science from Queens College/CUNY. He has published articles and book reviews on both library-related and historical topics.


John Drobnicki
Prof. John Drobnicki
Acting Chief Librarian, July 2007-Present

 
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Last modified: July 30, 2008.

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