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http://www.famu.edu/library THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES Volume 2 Issue 1 Aug. / Sept. 2005 “Striking for Excellence in Library and Information Services”

Fall Semester 2005 Friends of Libraries Honor Bryant and Byars Dates to Remember By Theresa Davis Senior Public Relations Major Friends of the FAMU Libraries held their annual award gala on Friday, July 15 at the Tallahassee – Leon County Civic Center. The gala is held yearly to honor and present Friends of the FAMU Libraries Awards to outstanding community leaders and achievers, and to give thanks and recognition to the librarians and support staff who keep Florida A&M’s libraries up to speed on the information super-highway. Friends of the FAMU First Day of Classes 8/29 Libraries president, Margaret B. Jones, describes the event as “…a fundraising activity de- FAMU vs. Delaware State 9/3 signed in support of the mission and programs of the organization.” This year’s theme was Labor Day Holiday 9/5 “Saluting Twenty-First Century Pacesetters.”

Veteran’s Day 11/11 The Friends Award recipients for 2005 were FAMU’s interim president, Dr. Castell Vaughn Thanksgiving Holidays 11/24-25 Bryant, and celebrated author, Patti Wilson Byars. This year’s Librarian of the Year award Last Day of Classes 12/9 went to the library Acquisitions Department Supervisor, Ernestine Holmes. Dale Thomas of

Final Examinations 12/12-16 Special Collections received the Library Support Staff of the Year award. Director of FAMU’s libraries, Dr. Lauren B. Sapp, presented both sets of awards. Fall Commencement 12/16 The 2005 Annual Award Gala began with a silent auction and reception followed by dinner and a keynote address. Dr. Bryant was the keynote speaker. Jones, Sapp and Byars also addressed the attendees. Master of Ceremonies and Friends of the FAMU Libraries vice president, Clinton Inside this issue: F. Byrd, kept the event moving smoothly.

Dr. Bryant’s speech highlighted the importance of the From the 2 libraries at FAMU. “Libraries have always been indis- Director’s Desk pensable to the educational system,” Bryant said. She aspires to make the University Libraries not just the best Outlook Capital Library 2 among historically black colleges and universities but all Endowment universities of this size. Bryant promised to help Friends of FAMU Libraries attain this goal. While Bryant 2 acknowledged the need to “raise the level of productiv- The GOAT ity and accountability” at FAMU, she also said that she Photo Courtesy of was “very pleased” with the libraries so far. Dr. Bryant 3 is well qualified to assess the state of the libraries as she earned her bachelor’s degree in library science right here at FAMU. In her speech, Dr. Bryant also credited Library Leadership 3 librarians for their contributions to her personal and Alliance professional development. Patti Wilson Byars (left) and (Please see FRIENDS, page 4) Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant (right)

“Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. “ ~Samuel Johnson~ Page 2 @famulibraries.edu

From The Director’s Desk

Welcome to the 2005-2006 Academic Year!

On behalf of the entire University Libraries’ staff, greetings to all returning faculty and Library students and a warm welcome to all new faculty, staff, and students on the start of a new academic year. We encourage you to utilize your libraries, whether you visit us in the Endowment libraries or online. One of your first activities here should be to bookmark the library Established home page: http://www.famu.edu/library. We hope you visit us often to find the information and services needed for your studies, teaching, or research. By providing excellent information resources, services, and facilities, library faculty and staff want The Southern Area of the Links, you to make the FAMU Libraries your first resort for information and library services. Inc. has established an endow- We want the University community to gather information, conduct research, and navi- ment for library resources at gate successfully among the many retrieval options available from the University Florida A&M University, with a Libraries. We are committed to continuous improvement by building and preserving gift of $12,500.00. The funds are traditional and electronic collections; offering multifaceted information literacy pro- a part of the major gifts matching grams; and evaluating and improving the Libraries’ collections, services, and programs program within the FAMU to support your needs. Foundation, Inc. An anonymous The library faculty and staff worked extremely hard to convert data and migrate to the gift of $500.00 has been added to new integrated Library Management System on May 23, 2005. The new Aleph 500+™ the endowment. When accrual of system will manage the Libraries' circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and interlibrary earnings is sufficient, funds will loan functions. Test drive the new catalog and send us your comments on the Aleph be used to purchase library re- Blog: http://www.famulibraries.blogspot.com. sources. According to Margaret T. Johnson, Southern Area As we embark on another busy year, the Library faculty and staff look forward to meeting your information needs in the upcoming months. We also welcome your input! Director, the Links are funding library endowments at each of the Best wishes for a successful year! historically black colleges and Lauren B. Sapp universities in the area. Endow- Director of University Libraries ments have been established in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Visit the GOAT @ Your Library

A significant addition to the University Libraries’ collections for the 2004-2005 year was purchased with the $ 2,000.00 in proceeds from the Student Government Association’s annual Showcase for Coleman. The showcase is a student talent show held specifically for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of library books. This year’s funds were used to purchase GOAT: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali. GOAT was acquired for Special Collections and housed in the Heritage Room, 4th floor Coleman Library Annex.

The most comprehensive look at Muhammad Ali to date, GOAT consists of 800 pages of archival and original photographs, graphic artwork, articles, and essays (many of them previously unpublished) chronicling six decades of Ali’s life. It features written contributions from hundreds of writers and photographers, as well as over 3,000 photographs, plus Ali's own insights, writings and drawings, and reproductions of fight posters and classic memorabilia. Photo by Gloria Woody

The Libraries’ printing is number 6,722 of 10,000 copies. It came with a photo-litho created by Jeff Koons and is signed by both Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons. White cotton gloves were supplied for handling the beauti- ful work of art. The book weighs 75 lbs and is 20" x 20" in size.

Contact Cornelia Taylor, Special Collections Librarian at 599-3361 for viewing and for more information. GOAT (The Greatest of All Times) Page 3 @famulibraries.edu

A Catalog Is Born:

Congratulations on our new addition! Production Party.” The gigantic orange and green strawberry-filled Aleph birthday Florida A&M University Libraries have cake was enjoyed by all. launched the new Library Management System - Aleph 500+™. It is an Dr. Lauren Sapp presented faculty and staff members with awards for their dedi- integrated library system that is designed cated service on the Aleph Team, the Furniture Committee, and the Moving Com- to support and manage the records for the mittee. Brenda Wright led the “Aleph train” followed by Dr. Ruth Swan around the various functions in the library, including staff lounge. The celebration was an enjoyable way to end a very special day. cataloging, acquisitions, serials and circulation. The students did not miss a beat and they have kept right on searching. When asked how they liked the new system, two students responded with “we have a new The FAMU Aleph Migration Team com- system?” prised of library faculty and staff, is credited with the year long planning, Kudos to the FAMU Aleph Migration Team for a job well done! testing, training and STP (Switch To Production) of the system. According to team member Jeanette Cox, “the solid groundwork by the group led to the smooth migration.” Cox felt that the STP was “low-key and uneventful except for a few glitches.” We are pleased.

The team members were at work anx- iously awaiting the birth of the catalog at 6:30 a.m. on May 23. Orange and green balloons and banners were hung in ac- knowledgment of the occasion. The his- torical day ended with an afternoon cele- bration with everyone gathering in the staff lounge for the “Switch to

HBCU Library Alliance Leadership Program

Funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the objective of the Leadership Program is to provide theoretical and practical instruction and useful resources to encourage the development of leadership skills within the HBCU library community. The Leadership Program consists of six components: The Pilot Institute, Institute I, Institute II, an exchange between HBCUs and non-HBCUs, fellowships to SOLINET workshops, site visits and mentoring. Twenty-five libraries have been selected to participate. Each institution will send the dean or director and one librarian recommended for leadership potential. Nine institu- tions participated in the HBCU Library Alliance Leadership Program Pilot Institute, June 11-15, 2005 at Stone Mountain Georgia: Alabama State University, Atlanta University Center, , Florida A&M University, Kentucky State University, North Carolina A&T University, Southern University, Tennessee State University, and Virginia State University.

Lauren Sapp and Brenda Wright were participants from Florida A&M University. The Pilot Institute offered the opportunity to critique the program and develop skills to serve as mentors. Lauren Sapp will participate in Institute I, scheduled for August 13 through 17, 2005. Karyn Trader-Leigh, Lead Instructor for the Program says that the purpose of the Institute is: “to strengthen the leadership capacity and the role of HBCU Librarians and support them in meeting the challenges in positioning the twenty-first century HBCU library as a vibrant, cutting-edge institution that is core to the learning experience.”

Source: HBCU Library Alliance Press Release, June 6, 2005 Page 4

FRIENDS, From Page 1 Photo by Gloria Woody Patti Wilson Byars graciously accepted the 2005 Friends Pacesetter Award . A charter member of Friends of the FAMU Libraries, Byars expressed her appreciation to FAMU. Byars wrote the widely acclaimed book, Separate Fountains, and was on hand to sell auto- graphed copies to raise funds for the Friends of the FAMU Libraries.

The mission of Friends of the FAMU Libraries is to assist the library in providing information and services to all library users by developing a strong support system, serve as a sounding board on library issues and as an advocacy group with the university administration.

Friends of the FAMU Libraries support the library by publicizing library programs, fund-raising, and serving as a liaison to community organizations that can help provide publicity, volunteers, and leader- ship. They also spend time organizing committees to assist the libraries -- planning book and author events, lectures and exhibits and assisting with library projects.

Left to right: Dale Thomas, Lauren B. Sapp, For more information about joining or donating you may contact and Ernestine Holmes Friends of the FAMU Libraries at (850) 599-3370 or pick up a brochure at any one of the campus libraries.

TO OUR READERS If you would like to have an article considered for publication, contact any member of the editorial team.

LIBRARY STAFF NEWS • Duchess Gay, Library Technical Assistant, joined the staff of Special Collections on July 5, 2005. A publication of the • Celia Stevens, Instructor Librarian, joined the Coleman Florida A&M University Libraries Library reference staff on August 11, 2005. Florida A&M University Tallahassee, Florida 32307 • Cornelia Taylor, Special Collections Librarian, served as a delegate to the National Education Association (NEA) Lauren B. Sapp, Director Convention, Los Angeles, CA, July 1-6, 2005. Ruth M. Swan, Associate Director

Deborah L. Lightfoot, Office Manager HOW TO CONTACT US Administration 599-3370 Circulation 599-3376 Service Hours Ask a Librarian http://www.questionpoint.org Distance Learning 599-8675 or 1-800-540-6754 Web page: Library Systems 599-2598 www.famu.edu/library/hours.html Interlibrary Loan 561-2652 Reference Desk 599-3330 Special Collections 599-3361

BRANCH LIBRARIES Newsletter Editorial Team Architecture Library 599-8776 Engineering Reading Room 410-6328 Gloria T. Woody, Editor/Chair; Phyllis Journalism & Graphic Communication Library 599-3704 Broomfield, Jeneice Smith, Cornelia Science Research Center Library 599-3393 Taylor, Dale Thomas, Robert Visk, and www.famu.edu/library Ruth M. Swan, Advisor