The Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W. Woodruff Library has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Excellence in Academic Libraries Award in the university category. The AUC Woodruff Library is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and first consortium library to win this prestigious honor. Sponsored by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and YBP Library Services, the award recognizes the staff of a college, university and community college library for programs that deliver exemplary services and resources to further the educational mission of the institutions they serve.

“The Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library is thrilled to be selected for this ACRL award,” said Loretta Parham, CEO and Library director. “To be recognized for our demonstrated dedication to excellence and professional services is a validation of the collective efforts of a great library team. As a single library that is shared by the academic members of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, we are honored to work in support of student and faculty success and cultural preservation. We are truly appreciative of this recognition from ACRL.”

The award criteria stresses outcomes, such as creativity and innovation in meeting the needs of the academic community, leadership in developing and implementing exemplary programs, and substantial relationships with faculty and students. After a vigorous selection process, the AUC Woodruff Library was recognized for transformative change in innovative services and programs.

“While many of us are challenged by relationships with one group of administrators, faculty, and students, the Atlanta University Center manages to effectively support the teaching, learning and research at four different institutions, deftly managing those relationships,” said Trevor Dawes, chair of the 2016 Excellence in Academic Libraries Committee and associate university librarian at Washington University in St. Louis. “The library has made a huge turnaround in services and programs, using assessment and data as an important component of their continuous improvement process.”

“The library strives to be characterized by innovative thinking,” Dawes added. “Whether it’s having librarians certified in instructional design and helping faculty become excellent users of technology in their courses, developing a ‘recruit for tomorrow’ program, or having a robot ‘staff member’ provide assistance to the user community.”

Other 2016 winners include: Hudson County Community College Library, Jersey City, New Jersey, in the community college category and Macalester College DeWitt Wallace Library, Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the college category. YBP Library Service provides a monetary gift to each winning library along with special recognition in their industry publications; ACRL provides recognition of the winners among its membership and throughout its media platforms.

Learn more about our award-winning resources, staff and facility here or below: