Atlanta, GA — The Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W. Woodruff Library has been awarded a $49,000 Recordings at Risk grant to support “Morehouse Speaks: The Digitization of the Morehouse College Archives Audiovisual Collection.” The grant is one of 21 awarded nationally as part of the twelfth cohort of the program, administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and generously funded by the Mellon Foundation.

The project will run from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026, and will digitally preserve and provide access to over 1,500 rare and at-risk audiovisual recordings from the Morehouse College Archives. These recordings spanning from 1954 to 2018, including VHS tapes, audio cassettes, and film reels that document the vibrant academic, cultural, and spiritual life of Morehouse College, the nation’s only historically Black college for men.

Materials slated for digitization include:

• Convocations and baccalaureate services
• Programs from the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel
• Homecoming events and celebrations
• Performances by the renowned Morehouse College Glee Club

“This collection captures decades of Morehouse College’s rich legacy and profound cultural contributions. For the first time, many of these invaluable recordings, some at risk of deterioration, will be made digitally accessible, ensuring the preservation of Morehouse College’s distinctive history for generations to come. We are deeply grateful for this award from CLIR,” said Dr. Kimberley Bugg, CEO and Director of the AUC Woodruff Library.

As part of the project, the recordings will be digitally reformatted, enhanced with searchable metadata, and preserved for long-term access. Upon completion, they will be available through the AUC Woodruff Library’s Repository of AUC Digital Collection Archives and Research (RADAR), the Digital Library of Georgia, and the Digital Public Library of America.

About the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
Established in 1982, the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W. Woodruff Library is named in honor of the late Robert Winship Woodruff, a philanthropist and former CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. The library serves three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this state-of-the-art facility has become a leading repository of information resources and an innovator in the delivery of digital content.

The AUC Woodruff Library also houses the Archives Research Center, renowned for its extensive collection of materials related to the African American experience. This includes the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, as well as the Joseph Echols Lowery and Evelyn Gibson Lowery Collection.

Media Contact:
Lisa Walker
Communications Office
AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-493-7877