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Library History

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 that first year, Professor Charles Pappalardo (Queensborough's Chief Librarian, 1960-1983) was simultaneously employed by York as an Adjunct Lecturer and oversaw the York Library. Professor Pappalardo passed away in April 2015.

Photo of Charles Pappalardo

Prof. Charles Pappalardo
Library Supervisor,
1967-1968

Photo of George Bailey

Prof. George Bailey
Chief Librarian,
1968-1971

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 Executive 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.

Professor Bailey held Master's degrees in History from the University of Pennsylvania and in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin.  Among his publications were articles published in Illinois LibrariesDrexel Library QuarterlyRice University StudiesCollege Library Notes, and RQ.  In his work with ALA's Cooperative Reference Services Committee, he compiled Directory of Cooperative Reference Service Programs: A Preliminary Edition (Chicago: American Library Association, 1972). He served as Secretary of the CUNY Council of Chief Librarians during 1970-1971.

George Bailey left York in 1971 and became Associate Director of Libraries for The Claremont Colleges from 1971 until his retirement in 1989. He passed away in July 2018.

After Professor Bailey's departure 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. A noted expert on African violets, he received the Hudson Memorial Award from the African Violet Society of America in 1985. He was also an authority on the author and illustrator Edward Gorey. Professor Bradford passed away in December 2020.

Photo of Edward Bradford

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

See below for information on Co-Acting Chief Librarian Gladys Jarrett.

Photo of Fred Harsaghy

Dr. Fred Harsaghy
Chief Librarian,
1972-1974

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, Harsaghy taught at the University of New Haven and in the Danbury, Connecticut, public school system, and passed away in 1996.  Among his publications were articles in College and Research LibrariesSpecial Libraries, and Wilson Library Bulletin.

You can read a 1973 interview with Dr. Harsaghy from Pandora's Box.

After serving as Acting Chief Librarian for a second time, Gladys W. Jarrett was appointed by President Milton 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, and served as Chairperson of the CUNY Council of Chief Librarians during 1979-1980. Prof. Jarrett was selected to be the Chief Faculty Marshal at York's tenth commencement ceremony, in June 1980. She retired from York College in 1985. You can read a profile of Professor Jarrett in Women of Library History

Professor Jarrett passed away in July 2007.

Photo of Gladys Jarrett

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

Photo of Ben DiRusso

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

Benedetto DiRusso was appointed York's fourth Chief Librarian by President Milton 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. The editor of several subject bibliographies that were compiled by York librarians, including The American Indian, Then and Now, Professor DiRusso also contributed articles on Albert Claude and Emilio Segrè to the Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives. He served as Treasurer of LACUNY (the Library Association of the City University of New York) during 1975-1976. He stepped down as Chief Librarian in 1988, and retired in 1991.

Professor DiRusso passed away in June 2010.

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

Professor Barry began in the York College Library 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.

Photo of Kevin Barry

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

Photo of Robert Machalow

Prof. Robert Machalow
Chief Librarian,
1992-2007

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

Professor Machalow first joined the York College Library faculty in 1982, working as the Serials Librarian, Curriculum Materials Center Librarian, Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Bibliographic Instruction Librarian, and Systems Librarian, and later served as Head of Circulation & Reserve and Head of Archives & Special Collections until his retirement in 2014. He received a Master's degree in English Literature from Indiana University, and in Library Science from Rutgers University.  Prof. Machalow authored five books on the use of technology in libraries, and contributed articles to The Reference LibrarianComputers in LibrariesOCLC MicroLibrary Software ReviewERICSmall Computers in Libraries, and The Unabashed Librarian.

Professor Machalow passed away in May 2019. The newly established children's library in the York College Child and Family Center, located on the site of the former St. Monica's Church, was named in his honor in February 2024.

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 2007 to become the Chief Librarian at CUNY's Lehman College.

Photo of Kenneth Schlesinger

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

Photo of John Drobnicki

Prof. John Drobnicki
Acting Chief Librarian,
2007-2008
Chief Librarian,
2009-2011

After serving as Acting Chief Librarian for 18 months, John A. Drobnicki was appointed by President Marcia Keizs to be York's seventh Chief Librarian, effective Jan. 1, 2009.

Professor Drobnicki 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, and currently serves as Head of Acquisitions, Collection Development, and Interlibrary Loan. He holds Master's degrees in History from St. John's University and Library Science from Queens College/CUNY.  He has contributed articles to Judaica LibrarianshipJournal of Hate StudiesPublic & Access Services QuarterlyBulletin of BibliographyPolish ReviewCollege & Research Libraries NewsERICSport in HistoryBiographical Dictionary of American and Canadian Naturalists and EnvironmentalistsReference LibrarianOAH Magazine of History, the Scribner Encyclopedia of American LivesTechnical Innovation in American History: An Encyclopedia of Science and TechnologyRace and Ethnicity in the United States: From Pre-Contact to the Present, Italian Americans: The History and Culture of a People, and the Polish American Encyclopedia. He has been a reviewer for Choice since 1994.

Njoki-Wa-Kinyatti was appointed by President Marcia Keizs to be York's eighth Chief Librarian effective Sept. 1, 2011.

Professor Kinyatti first joined the York College Library faculty in 1990, starting as the Evening & Weekend Librarian-in-Charge, subsequently becoming Head of Circulation & Reserve and most recently Coordinator of Collection Development. She holds Master's degrees in Library Science from St. John's University and in Public Administration from CUNY's John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  Prior to coming to York, Prof. Kinyatti was Chief Librarian at Touro College’s School of General Studies (which has since become part of Touro’s New York School of Career and Applied Studies). Prof. Kinyatti has contributed articles to Women Who Changed the World: Their Lives, Challenges, and Accomplishments through HistoryThe SAGE Encyclopedia of World PovertyRace and Ethnicity in the United States: From Pre-Contact to the PresentEncyclopedia of Domestic Violence and Abuse, Encyclopedia of African American HistoryBiographical Dictionary of American Sports: Basketball, the Scribner Encyclopedia of American LivesEncyclopedia of School Crime and Violence, and Women’s Lives Around the World: A Global Encyclopedia, and has reviewed books for American Reference Books Annual (ARBA).

Photo of Njoki Kinyatti

Prof. Njoki-Wa-Kinyatti
Chief Librarian,
2011-Present

Part II: The Full-Time Library Faculty

NameYears of ServicePositions Held
Bailey, George M.1968-1971Chief Librarian
Barry, J. Kevin1974-2001Head of Acquisitions; Head of Periodicals & Microforms; Deputy Chief Librarian (twice); Acting Chief Librarian; Chief Librarian
Bartlett, Judith G.1967-1983Acquisitions Librarian; Head, Biblio-Searching Unit; Head of Curriculum Materials Center; Head of Serials
Bradford, J. Edward1968-1974Head of Technical Processing; Co-Acting Chief Librarian; Acting Head of Acquisitions
Burg, Jayson H.1986-1988Evening/Weekend Librarian, Periodicals & Microforms
Clark, Arnold1989-1990Substitute Evening/Weekend Librarian
Cleary, Daniel E.2006-2016Substitute Reference Librarian; Acting Head of Cataloging; Science Librarian; Head of Serials
Diao, Junli2016-PresentSubstitute Head of Cataloging & Serials; Head of Cataloging & Serials
DiRusso, Benedetto1967-1991Reference Librarian; Head of Reference; Head of Circulation & Reserve; Deputy Chief Librarian; Acting Chief Librarian; Chief Librarian; Acting Head of Cataloging; Substitute Reference Librarian (1996)
Drobnicki, John A.1995-PresentEvening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge; Reference Librarian; Head of Reference; Head of Electronic Resources; Library Webmaster; Acting Chief Librarian; Chief Librarian; Head of Acquisitions & Collection Development; Acting Head of Cataloging (twice); Acting Archivist; Head of Interlibrary Loan
Dunkley, Joy2002-2004Head of Circulation & Reserve
Engel, Kenneth1989-1990Substitute Evening/Weekend Librarian
Franco, Marta G.1970-1999Head of Serials
Harsaghy, Fred J., Jr.1972-1974Chief Librarian; Acting Head of Technical Services

Jackson, Jessica

2023-Present

Outreach & Assessment Librarian

Jarrett, Gladys W.1967-1985Cataloger; Head of Cataloging; Head of Public Services; Co-Acting Chief Librarian; Acting Chief Librarian; Chief Librarian
Kinyatti, Njoki-Wa-1990-PresentEvening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge; Head of Circulation & Reserve; Head of Acquisitions & Collection Development; Chief Librarian
McPhillips, John2001-2002Evening/Weekend Librarian; Head of Circulation & Reserve
Machalow, Robert A.1982-2014Head of Curriculum Materials Center; Interlibrary Loan Librarian; Head of Bibliographic Instruction; Systems Librarian; Head of Public Services; Head of Cataloging; Chief Librarian; Head of Circulation & Reserve; Head of Archives
Maillet, Lucienne1970-1975Head of Audiovisual Center; Head of Curriculum Materials Center
Margolis, Michael2003-2006Evening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge
Megwalu, Anamika2007-2017Evening/Weekend Librarian; Library Webmaster; Coordinator of Electronic Resources; Head of Interlibrary Loan
Miller, Christina2008-2018School Library Media Specialist; Head of Reference
Nash, Madeleine1999-2000Evening/Weekend Librarian; Head of Circulation & Reserve
Powers, Meredith2017-PresentReference Librarian; Head of Electronic Resources; Head of Information Literacy
Pratt, Priscilla1986-1987Head of Cataloging
Rakofsky, Larry1983-1985Evening/Weekend Librarian; Serials Librarian
Schlesinger, Kenneth2007-2007Acting Chief Librarian
Sheidlower, Scott A.2004-PresentEvening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge; Head of Information Literacy; Head of Reference; Acting Head of Cataloging; Head of Archives; Head of Circulation & Reserve
Simpson, Todd2014-PresentSubstitute Cataloging Librarian; Head of Cataloging; Head of Electronic Resources; Head of Reference; High School Librarian; Coordinator of Academic Works
Skir, Holly2015-2017Substitute Reference Librarian; Substitute Head of Interlibrary Loan
Soltesz, Kathryn M.1968-1978Head of Cataloging
Stiegelbauer, Alyce A.1978-1988Evening Librarian; Head of Cataloging; Head of Circulation; Head of Public Services; Systems Coordinator; Deputy Chief Librarian
Su, Di1997-PresentEvening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge; Head of Information Literacy (twice); Head of Circulation & Reserve; Head of Reference; Head of Interlibrary Loan; Assessment Librarian
Tilyou, Elizabeth M.1987-1995Reference Librarian; Head of Circulation & Reserve; Head of Archives
Tzanova, Stefka2016-PresentScience Librarian; Coordinator of Academic Works; OER Librarian
Urban, Sandra G.2008-2014Head of Cataloging; Acting Head of Reference; Head of Interlibrary Loan
Winchester, Shiela B.1986-1996Reference Librarian; Head of Acquisitions; Head of Cataloging; Head of Reference
Wondolowski, Christine R.1986-1988Evening/Weekend Librarian-in-Charge, Reference
Young, Hope E.1986-2011Reference Librarian; Head of Current Periodicals & Microforms; Head of Interlibrary Loan; Head of Serials

Part III: The Part-Time Library Faculty

NameYears of ServicePositions Held
Adeshina, Tokunbo2015-PresentAdjunct Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian
Bissainthe, Max1973-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Branner, Shirley P.1972-1973Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Callinan, Mary L.1973-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Cleary, Daniel E.2002-2005Adjunct Lecturer, Evening Reference Librarian
Corson, Cornelia1971-1975Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Evans, Thomas2013-2013Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian
Fischer, Theodore1980-1980College Assistant, Evening Librarian
Fusaro, John1973-1975Adjunct Lecturer, Evening Reference Librarian
Gallo, Lory1994-1998College Assistant, Evening/Weekend Librarian
Handler, Roberta1971-1971Adjunct Lecturer
Hossain, Mahmuda A.1999-1999College Assistant, Reference Librarian
Jin, Xudong1994-1994College Assistant, Reference Librarian
Karakov, Yelena1973-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Krepp, Kenneth2006-2016Adjunct Assistant Professor, Evening Reference Librarian
Lal, Shail1973-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Reference, Periodicals & Microforms
Liss, Cynthia Rosen1972-1975Adjunct Lecturer, Head of Circulation
Lucas, Pamela1991-2020College Assistant, Evening & Weekend Librarian; Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian
McPhillips, John2000-2001College Assistant, Evening & Weekend Librarian
Mahant, Sushma1974-1975Adjunct Lecturer, Reference & Circulation
Miller, Christina2003-2008Adjunct Lecturer, High School Librarian
Muñoz, Louis, Jr.2014-2015Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian

Nielsen, Thomas

2019-Present

Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian

Palcewski, Barbara1972-1973Adjunct Lecturer, Acquisitions
Pappalardo, Charles1967-1968Adjunct Lecturer, Library Supervisor

Peach, Joshua

2018-Present

Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian

Pollak, Vera1972-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Rakofsky, Larry1980-1983College Assistant, Evening Librarian

Rene, Jean

2022-Present

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Evening Librarian

Schneider, Patricia1971-1972Adjunct Lecturer, Head of Periodicals & Microforms
Seif, Morton1974-1974Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging
Simpson, Todd2013-2014Adjunct Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian
Skir, Holly2014-2015Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian
Solga, Raymond2017-2018Adjunct Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian
Sun, Hongyi (Sue)1992-1993College Assistant, Reference Librarian
Todman, Anthony2015-PresentAdjunct Associate Professor, Evening Reference Librarian
Trinkoff, Elaine1972-1975Adjunct Lecturer, Reference & Interlibrary Loan
Tunney, Deborah1991-1992College Assistant, Reference Librarian
Willemin, Julia L.1971-1971Adjunct Lecturer, Cataloging

Williams, Eke

2022-Present

Adjunct Lecturer, Evening & Weekend Librarian

Zekov, Thomas1972-1973; 1975-1977College Assistant, Reference Librarian; Adjunct Lecturer, Reference Librarian