The piece in question, titled "low rider tables" by artist Mel Chin, would be placed on the fourth floor of the library.
The project manager is Mary Rubin.
A design proposal was also available at the meeting.
In the proposal, each piece is described and illustrated.
On page 15, low riders tables are addressed.
"Three low-to-the-ground reading tables with customized chairs will be painted in airbrush metallic colors, to commemorate the low rider car culture of Latino youth in California," the proposal stated.
It goes on to read, "This transformation and personalization of a mass-produced object parallels in many ways the process of reading, which is not merely about mechanical reproduction but a way to open doors to a personal creativity."
A mock-up poster is also shown, illustrating a woman in shorts, and a sleeveless, mid-drift baring top. The woman is leaning over a low rider table, in place of a low rider vehicle in the illustration.
According to the proposal, a local low rider car customizing shop, selected from a community competition, will paint the artwork.
The Latino community is divided on the issue.
Two women who attended the meeting in opposition of the proposed artwork were Elma Arredondo, chair of the Chicano/Latino Faculty and Staff Association, and Julia E. Curry-Rodriguez, chair of the Chicano Library Resource Center Advisory committee.
Both Arredondo and Curry-Rodriguez agreed that the idea of low rider tables was not only controversial but disrespectful as well.
The organization drafted a letter on Feb. 19 and had copies available at the March meeting.
"Although car culture exists in our community, it certainly should not be the sole art piece representing our community. No other art reflects our community in the San Jose joint library public art collection," the letter stated.
The original table concept came from Alejandro Cardenas who was a student of Chin's at Cooper Union.
Chin read a statement prepared by Cardenas, in which Cardenas addressed the committee.
"Contrary to the views of the committee, 'Car Culture' is not limited to the interest of 'some Chicano Youth'," Cardenas said.
"It is, in fact, an endeavor which is recognized across the country and the rest of the world. There are whole publications, conventions and television specials based on the customization of automobiles; it is practically an industry," he said.
One such publication is "Street Low Magazine."
Chin authored an e-mail dated Oct. 22, 2001, which was sent to a handful of people involved with the project including Rubin.
In the e-mail, Chin stated that "Street Low Magazine" was contacted for input on the low rider table design.
Arredondo and Curry-Rodriguez argued that such magazines promote a negative image of women and mentioned the inappropriateness of the mock-up poster.
"These women are dehumanized," Curry-Rodriguez said. "Any woman presented in that way is problematic."
Arredondo and Curry-Rodriguez agreed that the placement of the tables could add to the problem.
Both vocally and in written form, Arredondo and Curry-Rodriguez emphasized that, "The tables will be in the periodical section on the fourth floor of the library is also of concern, given that a quick search of the catalogue could lead youngsters to explore the concept of low riders."
Cardenas responded to such comments in his statement.
"For a lot of (low rider) participants, especially in California where it is recognized the culture originated, customizing cars can be a family affair, where the car is worked on by all members of the family as an act of solidarity which is then entered into contests and becomes s symbol of pride," Cardenas stated.
On the other side, representatives from "Street Low Magazine" as well as the community, argue that simply engaging in low-rider functions shouldn't be considered a negative factor.
Rubin and Chin, as well as others involved with the project, insisted that 2,000 questionnaires had been sent out to the community, which included the university.
According to Rubin, the questionnaires were meant to gather community comments and participation.
"Every (SJSU) department secretary was contacted, including the president's office," Rubin said. "A sincere effort was made to outreach the university."
Even so, those who were present at the March 22 meeting were in agreement that the questionnaires and public meetings had not been publicized enough.
"Few people came to the meeting," Rubin said.
Maribel Martinez, Associated Student's president, was present for the March 22 discussion and said she was unaware of a public invitation to any other meeting.
In Chin's Oct. 22 e-mail he also addressed issues pertaining to the artwork.
"The overall creative directive of this project, which has included many community meetings, has been to create works collectively by responding actively and interactively from input given by students, professors, community members, library staff, citizens and city employees, among others," Chin stated.
The e-mail was handed out at the meeting.
"This will be a one-of-a-kind library," Martinez said. "The pieces should support scholasticism."
By the meeting's end, an agreement was reached to advertise the table design contest and encourage community involvement.
The agreement was specified by the community members present to include applicants that design tables that are not of a low rider nature as well as those that are.
Rubin summarized the meeting by saying that a co-design of the contest poster will take place, bearing in mind the images and language.
According to Rubin, a panel will be formed consisting of students, layout professionals, low rider participates and art professionals to judge the final table designs to determine which three are worthy of the final project.