**PRESS RELEASE: WOODRUFF LIBRARY UNVEILS NEW SERVICE STRATEGY

Woodruff Library Unveils New Service Strategy
Seeks to Become First Choice for Students, Faculty & Others

ATLANTA - The Robert W. Woodruff Library management team has unveiled a new service strategy designed to provide the highest level of service, support and resources to the Atlanta University Center community. The new vision of the Library is to reflect the excellence of our member institutions by being the first choice for users in their search for information.

Over the next several months, visitors will see several phases of improvements under the Woodruff Library’s Project First Choice - a long-term initiative that focuses on service improvements. The Library staff is improving the users' service experience from arrival to departure.

The changes currently taking place are the result of an external review of the Library conducted in 2001. The report, which is called the Frye Report, after its chairperson, retired Emory Provost Dr. Billy E. Frye, provided the framework for transforming the Library. Three of the most significant recommendations have been implemented including reorganizing the governance of the Library, hiring an interim library director and developing a strategic plan.

As a result of the Frye Report's recommendation to hire an interim director, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Elaine Sloan as Interim Library Director of the Woodruff Library in 2002. Dr. Sloan is a career veteran of library services. She retired in 2001 after serving for 13 years as Vice President for Information Services & University Librarian at Columbia University in New York. She has had a distinguished career serving on numerous boards and elected offices in the library profession. Dr. Sloan is leading the transition and management of the daily operations of the Library including the execution of the improved service strategy.

Recently the board of trustees from each of the AUC member institutions approved to have Woodruff Library operate as an independent entity. A Library Board of Trustees was created and its members include presidents of the participating institutions - Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

"We are extremely positive about the direction in which the Woodruff Library is going now," says Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, chairperson of the Library Board of Trustees and president of Spelman College, "Our strategic planning has provided the foundation from which to build a service-oriented environment that positions the Library as the first choice for information. With the renewed dedication to service, we are creating an environment of high expectations, and preparing to deliver on them."

"It is our goal to ensure that students, faculty, and other users will be satisfied with their experience -- from arrival, interaction with Library service staff, retrieval of information to check-out," says Dr. Sloan. "We want to live our vision, which is to be the first-choice of users in their search for information."

The Robert W. Woodruff Library serves the four colleges and universities that make up the Atlanta University Center. Approximately 10,000 students who are enrolled at Clark Atlanta University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College rely on the Library's resources.

The Library, constructed in 1982, is a three-level structure of more than 220,000 square feet. The Library holds more than 370,000 volumes; subscribes to more than 1,428 serials; holds 54,000 bound periodicals; 860,000 microforms and a growing number of electronic resources. The Archives and Special Collections hold extensive collections on the African American experience. They include the John Henrik Clarke Africana and African American Collection, and the Henry P. Slaughter and Countee Cullen Memorial Collection of graphic and performing arts. For more information on the Woodruff Library call 404.978-2000 or visit www.auctr.edu

MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Strickland
Phone: 404-635-1997 Email: jsstrickland@mindspring.com