October 2005

Founded in 1922 at the request of several of the nation's leading hotel magnates and the American Hotel Association, the School of Hotel Administration is one of the most sophisticated service management schools in the world. The hospitality industry includes a wide range of businesses such as airlines, cruise lines, sports arenas, amusement parks, senior living communities, car rentals, casinos, clubs, conference/event planning, lodging, restaurants, spas, wines, and travel and tourism. The subjects taught at the Hotel School include accounting, entrepreneurship, facilities design, finance, human resources management, information technology, law, managerial communication, marketing, operations, real estate, revenue management, statistics, and strategy. The school just opened the new Beck Center classrooms, and it is wonderful that the students can take advantage of the top-notch technology.

The master’s degree program was created in 1973 to address the growing complexity facing senior managers in the industry. Now known as the Master of Management in Hospitality (M.M.H.) program, it offers all the business-management courses found in a typical M.B.A. program, but with an exclusive focus on the hospitality and service industries. Beginning this year, the program was re-organized to a three-semester program starting in June and ending in May. It’s been a challenging, emotional, but wonderful experience; and the following is a non-ranked list of the top 10 things I’ve learned so far from my experience:

“I see rich people.”
I initially thought that the employee degree program was a good deal but quickly realized there are many expenses that you need to cover. First, maybe because of the specialization, textbooks are astronomically expensive. They average about $150 per course. You also need a high tech calculator, special software packages (such as Process Model), and a solid laptop computer. You might think that the tuition is at least covered through Cornell benefits. Well, graduate work is non-taxable up to only $5,250 per calendar year, and anything beyond that is considered taxable income. As the current tuition rate is $835/credit, anything over 6.3 credits per year is taxable, so the cost is more than you might expect. You might then think that you would work on the degree slowly to avoid taxes, but program contents change frequently and you might be required to complete the program within certain years or you might not be able to count certain credits toward the degree. In addition, there are many other hidden costs. The Hotel School offers many social events that require formal attire: dresses for evening events and professional suits for Friday industry speaker series. Some lectures take place out of state and you’ll have to arrange for the travel/hotel. How is it that so many kids drive BMWs anyway? To catch a ride with these folks, you either need to be smart, rich, hip, or a librarian.

The “Hotelier” Culture
The majority of M.M.H. students have a few years or more of hospitality industry related experience, and some are from families that own hotels or restaurants. The average age of the students is 28 and more than half of them are bilingual. I find the majority of the students to be very outgoing. This personality trait becomes obvious at various Hotel School events such as student-run auctions and Hotel Ezra Cornell where students manage Statler Hotel and restaurants for 3-4 days. My classmates include hotel managers, lawyers, accountants, spa owners, consultants, wedding planners, interior designers, restaurant owners/managers, event managers, travel writers, and chefs. I’ve had to learn to speak confidently about my library and hospitality industry background (I worked in the hotel and airline industries) to demonstrate my “value.”

1 + 1 > 2 or Power of Teamwork
There are many team-based assignments. Team projects usually involve meetings, site visits, reports, and a presentation. You learn quite a lot about yourself, ironically, by working with different people. I used to have some doubts about the power of teamwork, because I felt that there is so much social loafing going on in teams—there are some people who “go along for the ride.” I’ve learned to deal with them by finding what they are good at and specifically suggesting that they take that responsibility. It’s not easy as they try hard to avoid work, and some people misunderstand the word “teamwork.” I’ve also learned a few tricks for building an excellent team—you should not “ask” to join a certain team as that makes you look desperate. You’ll need to already be in the network of “A” students because they generally want to work within that group; or you’ll need to demonstrate your skills and knowledge so that other students will be attracted to join you without your asking. Therefore, establishing your credibility early on is important. At the same time, I feel that the most respected students are the ones who are welcoming and accepting of people with different skills. When teamwork is successful, the results are amazing—it’s much more than I could have done all by myself.

Art of Case Discussion
The class size (40) is small and the students participate actively in class. Class discussion is not about presenting the “right” answer, but is often about asking the right question at the right time—questioning the points presented by others. That kind of thought-provoking contribution and critical thinking seem to “count” a lot. Simply agreeing with someone or rephrasing what has been discussed is considered wasting time. It’s impressive when someone with minority opinion speaks convincingly and shifts majority opinion completely. Case methods are used in many courses, and students get to work with real-life business problems putting themselves in the manager’s position. We examine the situation, identify the problem, suggest solutions, present alternatives, and describe future implications. And, of course, sometimes we debate and use our negotiation skills.

Art of Warm Calling /Cold Calling
Occasionally, professors approach individual students in class and tell them that they’ll be asked to answer some specific questions in a few minutes and that they should be ready to answer. This is called “warm calling” as you at least have a few minutes to get ready to speak in front of the class. You have to guess what questions are coming based on the reading assignments. Another common “technique” that professors use is “cold calling” where individual students are asked to comment in class without advanced notice. It’s amazing how well some students handle these challenges.

Similar Courses at Different Schools at Cornell?
There are many similar courses at Cornell. For example, marketing is taught at the Hotel School, the Johnson School, and the Department of Applied Economics & Management. Financial statement analysis is taught at Hotel, Johnson, Applied Economics, and ILR (and others?). Statistics is the same way. The textbooks are often the same. So, how are we supposed to choose the right classes? Well, school culture has a lot to do with it. Students might also choose based on the schedule and the professor. I took financial accounting at Johnson and knowledge management at ILR. You need to be careful as some schools insist that you take courses at your “home” school especially for core courses. Also, certain schools have certain focuses. At the Hotel School, the majority of the cases and examples comes from the service industry.

Making Necessary Trade-Offs
The amount of work is overwhelming. In addition to the required readings for the day, the students have to prepare deliverables such as case write-ups, spread sheets, simulations, etc. Some exams last over four hours and some require presenting in front of hospitality industry executives. Occasionally, you don’t get to sleep at all. Another challenge is that Cornell students generally want to do very well grade-wise. It hurts when you get a lower grade than expected as many of us are used to getting “A”s (right?). I think we forget that average students here are pretty smart, and getting “B”s here is actually not bad. I’m getting better at prioritizing things in my life—although I’d still like “A+”s. (Sorry, I cannot help it.) For me, it’s a challenge to balance my coursework, library work, and responsibility as a mother; but I see some synergy among them that makes my life more interesting and fulfilling.

Being Optimistic
Life goes on even when you feel like you cannot take it anymore. I’ve learned to accept that life is not fair, which made it easy for me to deal with some “difficult” people or situations. Some people have very narrow comfort zones and work only with certain people for various reasons, and I’ve felt discouraged at times. You have to have faith in yourself and be willing to work twice or three times harder if luck is not on your side. I think that many international students go through many moments of self-doubt, even if they were “elites” in their home countries, and it’s important that they have a strong support network. So far, I like the challenge and believe that excellent work will be recognized sooner or later.

What Students and Faculty Need (and What They Don’t) in Library Services
I realized that some courses/assignments do not require much library research (ouch), especially the ones that are number driven. Many faculty members utilize Blackboard and provide the “data” needed for assignments. Students rarely have time for additional research. They might appreciate our help with Excel or statistics packages, though. On the other hand, marketing and communication typically require literature searches, and students take advantage of various databases and library resources. As a student, here are the things I want in a library: 1) comfortable work desks and chairs; 2) proximity to coffee shops/lounges/break rooms; 3) lockers in libraries; 4) group study rooms with a monitor and screen; 5) convenient hours—mainly for group meeting purposes; 6) friendly and knowledgeable staff; 7) an adequate number of computers/laptops; 8) good lighting; 9) textbooks on reserve; 10) high tech copiers and printers (double sided and color). I hope I’m not too greedy. I think that libraries as learning spaces are becoming important.

Is it worth it?
Yes, definitely. Getting to know the faculty and the students through classes helps build trustful relationships with them, especially if you do well in class. I feel more comfortable (than before) talking with them as I know what’s involved in their research or subject areas. It’s also nice to study with my 9-year-old son in the evening across our kitchen table, and wake up early in the morning, usually around 5am in my case, to get ready for the day (somehow I have trouble crunching numbers late at night). My passion for service and hospitality has increased tremendously and I feel fortunate to be able to attend the M.M.H. program as an employee.

Carol Buckley Quilt Raffle

I am glad to share the news that the raffle held by the CUL-Quilters raised $1,120 which has been donated to the ALS Association of Upstate New York in honor and memory of Carol Buckley. Pam Stansbury, who works in Olin, was there during the drawing and won first prize!

Pam Stansbury and Cecilia Sercan

The other winners were Donna Stone (second place), Rebecca Wolff (third place), and Shawn Lovelace (fourth place).

The quilts were created by Lisa LeFever, Cecilia Sercan, Linda Stewart, and Marcy Rosenkrantz. Other CUL-Quilters include Donna Cook, Bronwyn Mohlke, Diane Sheridan, Nancy Solla, and Pam Baxter.

The CUL-Quilters meet regularly. For those of you interested in joining our group, you are very welcome to come, whether you have finished many quilts or are just beginning your quilting journey. If you would like more information, just let me know.

Bronwyn Mohlke, DCAPS, Digital Library and Information Technologies

From top left, proceeding clockwise, quilts created by: Lisa LeFever, Cecilia Sercan, Linda Stewart, and Marcy Rosenkrantz.

United Way 2005

The United Way campaign at Cornell was officially launched on October 6. Our goal is to contribute one third, or $627,000, of the 1.8 million goal of the county, and to increase university-wide participation from 17% to 20%. This year in particular there is concern that our goals may not be met. Since the beginning of the new year Americans have responded to the global needs occasioned by the tsunami, and then more recently to the hurricanes at home on the gulf coast. Local United Way agencies are wondering whether there will still be enough support left for them.

It seems to me the easy solution is for everyone to give something. It doesn't have to be much. In his university-wide email, President Hunter Rawlings mentioned how much a dollar a week could provide. In the campaign kickoff, the Cornell Campaign Chair Charles Walcott suggested giving 50 cents per week (or a dollar per paycheck). That is not an amount that would be really missed from your paycheck. But it does make a HUGE difference when it cumulates over the year and is added to other contributions. It bears repeating that your gift is administered responsibly. From every dollar that is given, 85 cents goes directly to programs, which in itself is notable, but in the University it gets even better: all of our funds go directly to programs because overhead costs are covered by corporate pacesetters.

This year our goal in the Library is to increase participation from 34% to 40%. If we reach our goal, we will celebrate with an ice cream social in the spring. As in the past, pledge cards will be mailed to your work address. Please consider contributing something to this very needy and worthy cause. Forty-four local agencies are counting on you.

Elizabeth Teskey, Division Deputy for the Library

New Library Listserv

In response to requests for a way to make announcements of events that are not work-related and therefore not appropriate uses of cu-lib, we've created a new list called CUL-COMMUNITY-L.

Examples of messages that might be posted to this new list are homes or apartments for rent, messages of a topical nature, announcements of non-library events or activities that you'd like to advertise, etc.

This is a list that anyone can subscribe to, but only subscribers may post messages to the list. Subscription to the list is entirely voluntary. Marcy Rosenkrantz is the list owner and Nancy Solla is the alternate owner.

To subscribe to the list send an e-mail to: listproc@cornell.edu

Leave the subject field blank and in the first line of the text place the following:

subscribe CUL-COMMUNITY-L your full name

where your full name is your name as it appears in the from line of your e-mail.

Susan Markowitz, Director, Library Human Resources

Things Fall Apart, New Student Reading Project

Comments from CUL Staff
This was the first time I had read the book Things Fall Apart, unlike most of the freshmen assigned to my reading group. Many of the students had read and discussed it in high school. One student in the group, who had not already read the book, had very strong opinions of right and wrong, moral and immoral and had a difficult time accepting the practices of the Ibo. With this he reminded me of the reverend Mr. Smith or the Commissioner. He was unable to accept this personal conflict and move beyond it. Reading Things Fall Apart was a good first step in his learning to adjust to a new complex society (Cornell/Ithaca). He was introduced to other ways of thinking. Generally, the group was very vocal and enjoyed discussing the book, its characters, plot and meanings. The majority of the students were very open to the complexity of the Ibo society. I am reminded however that each year a small number of students find themselves unable to negotiate this new society into which they have been thrust, as did Okonkwo in the new society created by the insurgence of the Christian conquerors.

Jacalyn Spoon, Adelson Library

I read this book in order to help prepare an exhibit at the Law Library. I found the book a quick read, and seemingly straightforward. But there were moments when the author's casual style seemed to explode with possibilities and his language was able to accommodate disparate viewpoints without taking sides, as in the following passage (also quoted on the project's web site): "There is no story that is not true . . . . The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others" (p. 141). That, to me, is the genius of the book, its ability to represent a complex and divisive moment in history in a form that neither condemns nor sanctions either side of the conflict. Or perhaps it both condemns and sanctions at the same time?

Elizabeth Teskey, Law Library

Maps and Geospatial Information Collection. Clockwise from left: Tribal, Cultural, Early Missionary, Mission Society (map scans by M&GIC staff). Click on the maps to explore in detail.

Library Poems

In August Kaleidoscope announced its first poem contest (*thanks to Will Sayers for his suggestion). We asked that entries be no more than half a page and be about the library (or libraries); they could be serious or humorous. Readers may recall that one of our early issues featured library cartoons by John Bric who was working in Olin Access Services at the time. We have decided to publish all our submissions. Here they are in no particular order. You decide which ones are winners.

Ode to a Library

You welcome me with open arms
Embracing me like an old friend,
Enveloping me safely within your refuge.
My eyes trace your familiar contours
Comforted by the old,
Marveling at the new.
Seeking answers and inspiration,
I comb and caress and urge you
To give up your secrets.
And then, satisfied,
I nestle deep in your bosom to read.

Loretta Merlo
Circulation, Weill Cornell Medical Library

A changing CUL…

A poem about libraries, well what do you know
A subject close to my heart, my second home!
CUL. What is that? I wondered when I arrived in 1969
I discovered a fascinating library, over time!

A technological revolution had just begun
Changes came quickly and they were such fun
From Polaroid camera to Xerox machine
From paper kardexes to on-line check-in.

From keypunch data entry for status control
To on-line systems that tracks so much more
From the card catalog to the Cornell OPAC
We very soon realized there was no turning back

Our library flourished, from century 2000 to 2001
Our holdings expanded, topped 7 million
Each holding once viewed by one patron at a time
Now visible to millions simultaneously worldwide

Communications once done by phone or snail mail
Are now done instantaneously worldwide via e-mail
Payments once made only by Cornell check
Are now processed by VISA or electronic

We collect numerous formats from unique sources
Books, audios, videos, scores, micros and electronic resources
We created new JARGON with each new fangled tool
Such as EMRS, EDI, METADATA, Google and Yahoo

The changes are many and they just keep coming
Keeping up with the times keeps our world humming
In order to stay in the race and ahead of the pack
CUL keeps moving forward and never looks back!

Mary Wesche
LTS Acquisitions, Olin

Library Today

All things digitized

Continuous budget cuts

We go to meetings

Pat Leary
ILR Catherwood Library

The Library

Libraries are for learning
A great place to gather and read.
Somewhere to browse and snooze,
A plot for planting a knowledge seed.

Libraries are for clicking each and every way
To dig up all kinds of figures and facts.
What a bountiful cornucopia of stuff,
Free to all; no muss, no fuss, no tax.

Libraries are so valuable
To you and me, and her and him.
A treasure trove of mysteries solved
With answers to our every flicker of thought and whim.

So, grab my hand and let's go
Up the path to the Library's door.
For within its walls and cyberspace
So much wonder and discovery is in store.

helen-ann brown
Information Services, Weill Cornell Medical Library

People News

Welcome

Rachel Brill is the new half-time Administrative Assistant III in IRIS Administration. She has an AAS from TC3 in graphic design and computer graphics, and another AAS from TC3 in business administration and accounting. Previously she worked at Arnold's Florist in Homer and at Digital Design Photography in Johnson City.

Michelle Hubbell is a new Public Services Assistant II in O/K/U Access Services. Michelle comes to us from A.C. Moore where she worked as a Customer Service representative.

Philip Koons is the new Manager of Facilities in the Facilities Department. Philip comes to us from Ithaca Hardwoods where he worked as production manager, project manager, shop foreman, and cabinetmaker.

Michelle Nair is a new Public Services Assistant II in O/K/U Access Services. Michelle comes to us from Campus Life where she was a cashier and food service worker. You may recognize Michelle from the café.

Aaron Nye is a new Public Services Assistant II in Access Services. Aaron has worked in academic libraries at the University of Texas at Austin as well as at Columbia University. Aaron works the late night shift at Olin Library.

Yumiko Saito is a new Technical Services Assistant III in Library Technical Services. She comes to us from Lyndon Veterinary Clinic where she worked as a Front Office organizer. Yumiko is a new member of the Database Enrichment Unit in Library Technical Services at Olin Library

Promotions and Transfers

Susann Argetsinger has been promoted to Preservation Assistant III in the Department of Preservation and Collection Maintenance.

Matthew Arnstein started in the library as a temp over a year ago but is now a Programmer/Analyst III in DLIT.

Gaby Castro-Gessner has been promoted to Reference Specialist in the IRIS Department of Collections, Reference, Instruction, & Outreach.

Darla Critchfield has been promoted to Public Services Assistant IV in O/K/U Access Services.

Duane Edwards has been promoted to Public Services Assistant IV in O/K/U Access Services.

Tiffany Howe recently worked as a temp in IRIS Administration but is now their new Administrative Assistant IV. Tiffany’s new position is Assistant Accounts Coordinator.

Randi Kepecs is a new Public Services Assistant IV in the IRIS Department of Collections, Reference, Instruction, & Outreach.

Kim LaMorte is a new Public Services Assistant V in Access Services. She recently worked as an administrative assistant in IRIS Administration. Kim’s new position is night supervisor in Access Services.

Lisa Lefever has been promoted to Collections Assistant III in the South Asia Collections.

Nicole Margirier is a new Public Services Assistant IV in the IRIS Department of Collections, Reference, Instruction, & Outreach. Nicole recently worked as a public services assistant in the Engineering Library.

Olivia Nellums is a new Public Services Assistant II in ILS. She recently worked as a public services assistant in O/K/U Access Services.

Saah Quigee is a new Public Services Assistant IV in the Africana Library where he is the new Senior Night Supervisor. He recently worked as a temp in the Law Library as a public services assistant. He also worked in a supervisory position in the Law Library at the University of Liberia where he was responsible for running the facility and acquiring materials for the library.

Joy Thomas started in the library as a temp in April but is now a Public Services Assistant II in O/K/U Access Services.

Ardeen White has been promoted to Cataloger in LTS-Cataloging.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ann Crowley (Accounting Services) and husband, Jim, who are the proud parents of new daughter Rhian born on July 19th.

Good-bye

Good-bye and good luck to Audrey Barton from LTS Acquisitions; Colleen Gardner from DLIT; Loretta Komalla from O/K/U Access Services; Chantha Luy from Preservation/Conservation; Heidi Mallinson from O/K/U Access Services; Paul McMillin from the IRIS Department of Collections, Reference, Instruction, & Outreach; Sylvia Nyana from the Africana Library; Linda Westlake from Accounting; and Miriam Scheraga from LTS Cataloging; who recently left the Library.

Retirements

Miriam Scheraga
After 25 years of service to CUL, Miriam Scheraga, Hebrew and Yiddish cataloger, is retiring from Cornell. Friday September 30 was her last day as a regular staff member of Library Technical Services.

Miriam earned her B.A. from Brooklyn College, City University of New York, and her MLS from Syracuse University. Before coming to CUL, she worked as a librarian at the Groton Public Library and as a substitute librarian at Ithaca High School. She began working for the former Central Technical Services in September 1980 as a Hebrew searcher in the acquisitions department. Her supervisor was Ved Kayastha. Less than a year later, Miriam was promoted to humanities cataloger, an academic appointment; she was then reporting to Sherman Clarke. In 1987, she was promoted to Associate Librarian, a rank she has held since.

Miriam has always been a productive and careful cataloger. But her contributions have extended beyond cataloging Hebrew and Yiddish materials. She's long been a resource person for acquisitions, serials, reference, and ILL staff in her areas of language and subject expertise. Perhaps most importantly, Miriam has always been a friendly, welcoming person, offering assistance with a smile whenever possible. She is the kind of colleague everyone would like to have: cheerful, reliable, supportive, sensible, and warm.

While we in LTS will be very sad to see Miriam go, her absence will be a short one. In mid-October, she'll return to the department as a casual employee, working ten hours a week on Hebrew and Yiddish materials. We are delighted that Miriam will remain with us and continue to contribute to the library.

Miriam has asked to defer any celebration of her retirement until she is "gone for good." We hope that won't be anytime soon. In the meanwhile, please join me in congratulating Miriam and wishing her well.

David Banush

Library Diversity Arch

Congratulations to CUL for placing second in the campus-wide event celebrating the Fifth Anniversary of the Open Doors, Open Hearts, and Open Minds Statement on Diversity and Inclusiveness. The Library's Diversity Arch won second place in the archway contest and the Library was awarded a $200 prize. This prize money will be used to support a diversity-related event in the Library later in the year. First prize went to the School of Continuing Education and third prize to the College of Veterinary Medicine. Many thanks to the volunteer committee members Bethany Silfer, Kathy Chiang, Olivia Nellums, CJ Lance, and Susan Markowitz, and especial thanks to Mafalda Moore, Margaret Carleton, and Petrina Jackson who designed and decorated the archway for the Library.

Photos above by Kelly Charnley and Carla DeMello. The following photos were taken by Mafalda Moore.