April 2026 | Updates from the Mina Rees Library
Mina Rees Library Spring Hours 2026
Monday-Friday: 9am-10pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12pm-8pm
Upcoming Events
Drop-In Sessions:
Zotero Drop-In Help
Stephen Klein (Digital Services Librarian) holds one-on-one Zotero virtual office hours for drop-in video consultations on Mondays 3-4pm. Zotero is open source citation software enabling users to easily collect, organize, cite and share.
Archival Research Drop-In Hour
Have a question about archival research? GC community members are invited to stop by the bi-weekly online office hours for one-on-one assistance with archives-related topics. Bring your questions about finding analog and digital sources, using archives, conducting background research, and more.
Have a question but can’t make the drop-in session? Contact Donna Davey at ddavey@gc.cuny.edu to discuss over email or set up a consultation.
Scholarly Publishing Drop-In Hour
This drop-in session is for any member of the Graduate Center community with questions about scholarly publishing or other aspects of scholarly communication.
Have a question but can’t make the drop-in session? Contact Jill Cirasella (Scholarly Communication Librarian and University Liaison) at jcirasella@gc.cuny.edu to discuss over email or set up a one-on-one consultation.
Dissertation Office Drop-in Hours
Have a last-minute concern about depositing your dissertation or thesis? The library’s Dissertation Office dedicates time for drop-in Zoom consultations most Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4pm. Specific hours may vary from week to week; see registration page. Advance registration is not required but you must fill out the registration form to be connected. If another student is being assisted, you’ll be kept in the “waiting room” until the librarian is available.
(NB: Students are still welcome to stop by the Dissertation Office (room 2304) at other times or request an online or in-person appointment during regular business hours by emailing Roxanne Shirazi at rshirazi@gc.cuny.edu.)
Workshops and Other Events:
Intro to Zotero for Citation Management (Science Workshop Series)
Thursday 4/9 and Thursday 4/23, 11:00am – 12:00pm
This workshop will teach you how to use Zotero, free open-source software that can manage your research and create your bibliographies. You will create accounts, install the software, and get started in using this time-saving tool.
“Let’s Archive It!” Three CUNY Archivists on What it Means to Steward Collections
Doing archival research? Teaching with archives? Creating digital archives? Come hear from three CUNY archivists about the exciting archival work that is happening here at the Graduate Center and across the CUNYverse. The speakers will discuss the differences between approaching sources as an archivist and a researcher; share initial findings from Cultivating Archives & Institutional Memory, an ambitious project to unify practice at CUNY’s 31 libraries and 100 cultural centers and institutes; and explore strategies for teaching CUNY’s activist histories in undergraduate classrooms across CUNY.
Speakers:
Jessica Webster is the Head of Archives and Special Collections at Baruch College as well as a PhD student in history at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her talk will focus on the nature of archival work, the differences between engaging with archival sources as an archivist and as a researcher, and her career modulating between both worlds.
Natalie Milbrodt serves as the inaugural University Archivist for the City University of New York (CUNY) where her team is responsible for implementing strategies and systems for increased collection discovery and use. Her responsibilities also include coordination and planning for digital preservation and records management across the organization.
Roxanne Shirazi is associate professor and Head of Archives and Special Collections at the Mina Rees Library of the CUNY Graduate Center, where she also oversees the Dissertation Office. Since 2022, Roxanne has served as project director for the CUNY Digital History Archive. She’ll discuss recent efforts to bring CUNY’s activist histories into undergraduate classrooms by building community around teaching with primary sources from CUNY archives.
Moderated by Maggie Schreiner, Digital Fellow at Graduate Center Digital Initiatives, PhD candidate in History, and archivist.
AI and Scholarly Publishing: A 30,000-Foot View
This workshop will look at how AI is changing scholarly publishing, especially journal publishing. The following topics will be covered:
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Publishers’ policies for authors and peer reviewers regarding the use of AI tools
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Complexities surrounding authors’ disclosure of use of AI tools
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Ways in which editors and publishers employ AI in their own workflows
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How publishers are profiting from the AI boom
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How AI intersects with copyright
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…and more!
Please note that this workshop is focused on the intersection of AI and scholarly publishing. It will not cover the many ways researchers can and do use AI during research activities that are not connected to the preparation of a manuscript or the publishing process.
Additional Updates:
Electronic Arts Intermix: Seeking CUNY Feedback!
Librarians from CUNY libraries have been collaborating with the local arts nonprofit Electronic Arts Intermix to provide access to their streaming educational video service.
They are seeking feedback from all CUNY community members: how have you used these videos in your research and teaching? What impact has this access had upon your work?
Fill out this survey to share your thoughts, which will help us to expand access at CUNY! and/or reach out to Alycia Sellie (asellie@gc.cuny.edu) if you would be interested to help with further collaborations with EAI.
Manhattan Research Library Initiative (MaRLI)
There are two special programs for additional library access available to the GC community via the New York Public Library:
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Enhanced New York Public Library borrowing for GC Students and Faculty: The New York Public Library (NYPL) offers increased borrowing privileges for CUNY GC affiliates. With a current NYPL card and Graduate Center affiliation, researchers have ability to borrow select NYPL research materials usually reserved for on-site use. See full details on this page. This program does not require an application, but you must register your NYPL card at the GC Library by visiting the second floor reference desk and obtain a special sticker for your NYPL card.
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Access to New York University and Butler Library at Columbia University: MaRLI also can give ongoing access and borrowing privileges to these nearby libraries, but students must go through an annual application process. This program is not just for the GC; any NYPL cardholder in good standing can apply, and you will need to schedule a meeting with an NYPL librarian as part of the application. See more details about the process on the GC library libguide or contact the GC librarian who works with your program for further assistance.
24/7 Chat Reference
The library live chat service is available 24/7 and will be answered by a Graduate Center librarian, or another librarian at CUNY. During late-night hours, an academic librarian from one of the partner libraries may assist you, and the Mina Reese Library will follow up asap with additional information.
Interlibrary Loan
As always, the library encourages everyone to submit InterLibrary Loan (ILL) requests! ILL is an excellent way to obtain materials beyond the Graduate Center Library, in the form of print books, electronic articles/Ebook chapters, DVD’s, microfilm and more. Find out more about ILL on the InterLibrary Loan FAQ page.
Set up a Consultation with your Subject Librarian
Visit the Library Directory to find the librarian for your program. Feel free to select a time/date from the calendar that works for you to meet with them.
The library is happy to make arrangements to meet with you at other times, so also feel free to reach out by email.
Grants and Funding
Visit the Grants and Funding guide for information on a wide range of opportunities and resources. For further information, see this article from the Office of Communications and Marketing on finding and maintaining grants in an uncertain world.
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