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Comstock Memorial Library of Entomology

As part of the University’s and Library’s strategic planning process, the Comstock Memorial Library of Entomology has been under review.  After careful analysis and input, a decision has been made to consolidate the collections and services into Mann Library by 2011 or 2012, after the Library digitizes a significant portion of the material.  The Entomology Library in Comstock will close at that time, but Mann Library will continue to collect new entomological materials and fully support the existing collection with resources and staff.

Please contact Mary Ochs, director of Mann Library (mao4@cornell.edu) or Ed Weissman, assistant to the university librarian (esw3@cornell.edu) with questions.

Process

  • Review:  CALS and the Library initiated a review of the Comstock Library and created a review document for public comment.  After input from stakeholders and a review of many factors – including necessary physical repairs, usage statistics, and impact on an extended community of users both inside and outside the university – a revised recommendation was presented to and approved unanimously by the Library Faculty Board.  The university librarian and the dean of CALS accepted this recommendation, which the provost approved.
  • Planning:  In the coming months, an Implementation Task Force — composed of Entomology faculty, other faculty and researchers, and library staff — will be created to determine digitizing priorities, collection move timelines, and other implementation details.   The Task Force will seek input from the Comstock Library community as planning progresses.
  • Implementation:  The changes will take place in 2011 or 2012, after significant digitization of materials.

Advantages

Collection Relocation and Access: 

  • Location:  Right now, the collections related to Entomology are split between Mann and Comstock. After the move, the entire on-campus collection will be united under one roof at Mann — no entomology materials will be relocated to the Library Annex. Mann Library is near Comstock.
  • 24/7 Access:  The planned digitization project means many more materials will available online.
  • Hours:  This change will increase hours of physical access to the collection for all faculty and students from 40 per week during the academic semesters (and 30 hours per week during summer and winter breaks) to 104 per week.
  • Delivery:  Current print periodical issues will be located in Mann. Faculty members may request materials to be delivered to their offices, and articles and selected portions of books can be scanned upon request and emailed to requestors through the Library’s document delivery services. Mann will house current journals that are not yet available electronically and will try to obtain more electronic subscriptions as they become available. Mann staff will also deliver requested volumes for use for classes in Comstock, and faculty may schedule space in Mann Library to use materials in a class. 

Staffing:

  • Staff:  A Mann librarian will continue to serve as liaison to the Entomology Department.
  • Students:  Currently, the Entomology Library is staffed entirely by students. These student workers will be absorbed into Mann’s operation when the library closes.

Concerns and Solutions

  • Access:  Systematics researchers and taxonomists need access to the literature of Entomology in close proximity to the insect collection in Comstock Hall.  The plan is to digitize as much of the insect taxonomy literature as possible and make it available online before moving the physical collection to Mann Library.The insect collection is housed and managed separately from the library, and it will stay in Comstock Hall.
  • Use of Vacated Space:  CALS Administration, the Provost, and the Entomology Department will review alternate uses of the space currently occupied by Comstock Library.  Several options are on the table for future use, such as creating a place for students to gather, hold group meetings, or address other academic programming needs.

Collection Expansion, Support, and Preservation

  • Collection Building:  Using several endowments and significant funds from Mann’s regular acquisitions budget, the Library will continue to build and enhance the entomology collection.  There is no plan to diminish support for this world-renowned collection.
  • Preservation:  Mann staff will be able to monitor the physical collection’s condition more closely. Greater use of digitized materials will also result in less wear and tear on hard-copy holdings.
  • Digitization:  Because of the extensive digitization, many materials will be available worldwide — meaning that Cornell’s collection will contribute more to the field, enhance the visibility of the department, and fit with Cornell’s philosophy of serving as a land grant university to the world.