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Shopping Centers Today -> April 2004
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| Photo: Ian Ritter |
Who can use it — Anyone. But ICSC members’ calls get answered first. Patrons can contact the library by telephone, fax, postal mail or e-mail. Members can make appointments for in-person visits, or they can ask questions or access the electronic catalog over the ICSC Web site at icsc.org, using the “Research” button on the home page.
What it offers — The collection comprises more than 1,200 volumes and thousands of government documents, industry surveys, annual reports, general business references, association archival items and articles. In addition to an in-house collection of several hundred magazines, newspapers and newsletters for research purposes, the librarians can search online databases such as Nexis and Factiva. There is also a slide collection of more than 12,000 retail real estate images; an electronic catalog allows members to look up and request images.
Questions — In 2003 the library received nearly 3,000 calls. Many of these concerned data, such as, “How many shopping centers are there in the United States?” Others focused on issues. In 1998 the library got only four queries on a comparatively new format called the lifestyle center; in 2003 there were 100 questions concerning these centers.
Unusual questions — Actor-director Rob Reiner’s production company needed a list of California malls when scouting locations for the movie North. The research department of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? called with a question about returned holiday gifts. And one person called for a list of golf courses in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. He was referred to a golfing publication.
Who works there — Susan Pistilli, manager of library services, and Michael Tubridy, librarian, both of whom hold Master of Library Science degrees. She is editor of the ICSC Research Quarterly and produces Albert Sussman Library News. Tubridy creates and maintains library databases such as the “Shopping Centers of Interest” lists and oversees the library’s other technical operations.
Getting in touch — Contact information — Susan Pistilli: (646) 728-3670; spistilli@icsc.org; Michael Tubridy: (646) 728-3671; mtubridy@icsc.org.
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