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'Club Woody ":
There is a Method to the Madness
By Jamellah Braddock
Have you ever wondered why other
colleges and universities have
comprehensive libraries, but we in the
Atlanta University Center have "Club
Woody?"
Here are some explanations that
shed a light on the reality of Robert
W. Woodruff Library.
In reference to the opinion that
Woodruff does not have informative,
let alone basic materials that the
average student needs, we must first
consider our value for the materials
that we do have there.
Books have been mutilated and
pages have been cut or tom from
journals and other reference materials.
Or, as is often the case, materials are
borrowed (by students and faculty
alike) and somehow never returned.
There are numerous books that
have never been shelved because the
actual shelving process is not a simple
task.
Woodruff Library belongs to the
Ohio College Library Consortium
(OCLC), which is a nationwide library
catalog system.
Part of Woodruffs collection
existed before they joined the OCLC,
and the staff is currently entering the
data into the system now, a process
known as retrospective conversion.
However, until these unshelved works
are entered into the OCLC system, they
will remain unused.
Further, an inventory must be taken
on all newly shelved materials before
they can be checked out.
Perhaps the most crucial problem
with Woodruff Library is the budget.
Participating institutions
(Interdenominational Theological
Center, Spelman, Morehouse, and
Morris Brown colleges, and Clark
Atlanta University) have a financial
responsibility to the library.
In the past, all five institutions
were not collectively meeting the
financial requirements, and those
requirements that were met were not
received in a consecutive and timely
manner.
Often, Woodruff has attempted to
order new materials but as a result of
insufficient funding, the materials could
not be purchased.
However, 1991-1992 marks the
"Year of the Library," according to the
Council of Presidents (of the
participating institutions).
Trustees of the Robert W.
Woodruff Foundation have authorized
a grant of $3.8 million to the AUC for
renovation and automation of Woodruff
Library.
Some of the improvements include:
an on-line catalog (to replace the card
catalog system) in which computer
terminals will be used to search for
materials; a new check-out system that
will also be handled by computer, a
mainframe and several personal
computers which will be accessible by
modem.
A new copier system has been
installed in which a plastic card is
purchased at $1.00 for the first four
copies, and 10 cents per each
additional copy thereafter. This new
system will prevent users from
breaking into the machine because
there is no longer any change to be
stolen.
Some of us complain about the
insufficient materials at Woodruff
Library, but we have never really
looked to see what is there.
Many of us have tried to locate
needed materials, only to find nothing.
All of us, however, can take an
active role in making Woodruff Library
the library that it should be.
First, we can protect the collection
that we have from unnecessary damage
and abuse. We should do this not only
for ourselves, but for others who come
after us and will need reference
materials. In a time where we are
the product of true cultural and
educational deprivation, it would seem
that we would do everything in our
power to retain the wealth of
knowledge that has been given to us in
the AUC.
Moreover, the staff of Woodruff
welcomes any volunteer service in an
effort to expedite the renovating
process.
The Library Committee of the
Spelman Student Government
Association is sponsoring a community
service weekend in February of next
semester to assist the Woodruff staff in
book shelving, data entry, and other
helpful tasks.
Any students who will be in town
over the Christmas/Kwanzaa holidays
and are interested in helping can
contact Mr. Roland Welmaker, the
Assistant Director of the Woodruff
Library.
We are soliciting help from the
entire AUC community so that we can
play an integral role in establishing our
library as a sufficient research center.
Jamellah Braddock serves as co-chairperson
of the S.S.GA. Library Committee.
Jazz Ensemble
Jams On Tour
Out With Apathy!
By Jennifer Bliss
The rhythmic queens of jazz do it
again as Spelman’s Jazz Ensemble
represents our college on the Fall Tour.
Spelman’s Jazz Ensemble, headed
by Joe Jennings, consists of five
talented vocalists, a kickin’ eight-piece
horn section, and a funky five-piece
rhythm section.
The dynamic vocal harmonies come
from our exceptional vocalists: Mary
Randall, Binta Vann, Kristine
Anderson-Jones, Shona Pinnock, and
Kimberly Coleman.
'Hie jammin’ sounds of the horn
section come from its very talented
musicians: Kera Bell/baritone sax,
Tamika Sterrs/flute, Kimberly
Jacob/flute, Shari Mattison/trombone,
Omnika Simmons/tenor sax, Raina
Tate/trombone, Kanini Ward/alto sax,
and Kimberly Weems/trumpet.
And, finally, the musicians of the
rhythm section round off the band with
their innovative, funky style. They are:
Jennifer Bliss/guitar, Colette
Coward/piano and vocals, Cookie
Dean/drums, Jackie Howard/bass,
Marva Hopewell/keyboards, and Alyson
Jones/percussion.
These jazz divas performed
November 15-17 at Wilberforce
College, Ohio State University, and the
University of Kentucky in Lexington.
The concert consisted of a wide
range of tunes, including a Duke
Ellington medley, Birdland, Smoke
Gets In Your Eyes, Over the Rainbow,
and even some Down Home Blues.
The Jazz Ensemble will also have
a 10-day spring tour taking them
through Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia,
and New York.
Look forward to hearing
Spelman’s Jazz Ensemble at their
annual spring concert next semester,,
but until that time, bop on sisters!
By LaNae Dora
In an effort to thwart student
apathy, SWAC sponsored an "Out
With Apathy" project that took place
November 18 and 19.
The project was the brainchild of
SWAC chairpersons Marian Batts and
Kendra Floyd, and was an attempt to
make students more aware of what is
happening in the Spelman community.
The "Out With Apathy" project
consisted of dorm visits made by
representatives from each committee
of SWAC to talk to the student body
and solicit their concerns.
On November 18 the group
visited Abby, Morehouse-James,
Laura Spelman, Bessie Strong,
Mac Vicar, and Packard dormitories.
Each visit was scheduled to last
10 minutes. Visits on November 19
were extended to Manley, LLC-I,
LLC-2, Howard-Harreld, McAlpin,
and Upton. These visits were
scheduled to last 15 minutes.
The SWAC representatives made
all-calls at each dorm and asked
students who had concerns to come
meet with SWAC as a group.
Batts stated that the "Out With
Apathy" project was planned because
"we wanted the students to know
there is a channel for their concerns.
We thought it would be easier if we
went to them - as a part of SWAC’s
commitment to the administration."