Welcome Message ary Director
Dear AUC Faculty and Staff,
I am pleased to welcome the faculty and staff of Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College to the Winter/Fall 2026 edition of Library Link, our library’s digital newsletter I’m delighted to share exciting highlights with you, which are a celebration of our collective achievements, milestones, and opportunities to engage with the library throughout the academic year
In this edition, you’ll find the AUC Woodruff Library’s FY25 Impact Report, a comprehensive look at our progress, innovations, and service enhancements over the past year From expanded research support to enriched digital collections and successful collaborations across the AUC, the report reflects our commitment to advancing academic excellence and fostering a vibrant intellectual community
We are also excited to extend a warm invitation to you and your students to register for Community Day at the AUC Woodruff Library on February 10th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Community Day is a dedicated space for faculty, staff, and students to share your insights and help shape the future of the library’s services, spaces, and resources. This feedback session is an invaluable opportunity to contribute directly to the evolution of the library experience. Registration is required, and complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Whether you’re browsing the library’s impact report, planning curriculum support, or joining us in community engagement, thank you for your continued partnership and enthusiasm for lifelong learning Together, we make the library an essential and inspiring center of knowledge for our AUC community
Warm regards,
Kimberley Bugg
Kimberley Bugg, Ph.D. CEO and Library Director AUC Woodruff Library
AUC Woodruff Library’s FY25 Impact Report
Between the Stacks: Forward Future, Community Driven
The AUC Woodruff Library’s FY25 Impact Report, Between the Stacks: Forward Future, Community Driven, highlights a year of momentum, progress, and exciting possibilities for our community The report reflects on meaningful achievements made possible by the dedication of library staff and partners, and it underscores a continued commitment to adapting wisely, investing strategically, and leading with innovation. Feature stories showcase how the library is advancing student success,
strengthening special collections, introducing innovative service models, and creating more personalized and engaging learning experiences The report also marks key milestones, including the addition of Innovation and Forward Thinking as a new core value. This commitment is exemplified by the reopening of the newly renovated Virginia Lacy Jones Exhibition Hall, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 as a vibrant hub for creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary scholarship
AUC faculty and staff are encouraged to explore the full Impact Report to learn more about the Library’s initiatives and to engage with us as we continue shaping the next chapter of the AUC Woodruff Library together
Read the Full Impact Report:
2025 - 2026 Sessoms Scholarship
Recipients Recognized
The Walter W Sessoms Scholarship, administered and awarded annually by the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Robert W Woodruff Library, continues its tradition of supporting AUC students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to community impact For the 2025 – 2026 academic school year, four exceptional students have been selected to
receive the scholarship based on their merit The recipients are Amari Currie, a senior at Clark Atlanta University, Asya Armstrong, a graduate student at Clark Atlanta University, Eric Vinson of Morehouse College, and Alyssa Maker of Spelman College This distinguished award celebrates their remarkable achievements in academics, leadership, and service to the community.
Meet the Scholarship Recipients
in
Amari Currie Clark Atlanta University
Asya Armstrong Clark Atlanta University
Eric Vinson Morehouse College
Alyssa Maker Spelman College
2025 - 2026 Sessoms Scholarship Meet The Recipients
Amari Currie Clark Atlanta University
Senior Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)
“I am extremely grateful to receive this scholarship award. This past semester has been a struggle balancing academics and personal expenses This has resulted in me working two jobs to make ends meet This scholarship has provided me a way to stay on top of my grades while handling my personal responsibilities I look forward to maintaining my 37 GPA as a scholarship recipient”
Asya Armstrong Clark Atlanta University
Graduate Student – Master of Public Administration (Public Policy)
“Receiving the Sessoms Scholarship is a heartwarming honor! As a full-time graduate student pursuing my Master of Public Administration, this support eases a significant financial burden and allows me to focus more on my academic and leadership responsibilities This scholarship affirms my commitment to public service, equity, and data-driven policy solutions It empowers me to continue serving in all my leadership positions to help pursue and address many real-world challenges. The Sessoms Scholarship brings me one step closer to creating meaningful changes within public institutions.”
AUC Woodruff Library Offers New Artificial Intelligence Literacy Course
The AUC Woodruff Library currently offers, AI Literacy Course, a three-module learning experience designed to help our academic community develop confidence and competence in using artificial intelligence responsibly.
This course blends foundational knowledge with hands-on practice and a strong focus on ethical engagement, preparing learners to navigate an evolving digital landscape.
Course Objectives - Participants will:
Build foundational knowledge of how AI systems work
Practice using AI tools effectively and purposefully
Strengthen critical thinking around ethical, responsible AI use
Module 1: AI Fundamentals
Learners explore how AI systems, particularly large language models (LLMs), are built, trained, and used. This module explains how tools like ChatGPT generate text, how AI operates in realworld applications, and the basics of the training process, using practical examples to ground key concepts.
Module 2: Tools & Practical Use
This module focuses on using AI tools effectively for writing, design, coding, and more Learners practice crafting clear, specific prompts and evaluating AI-generated results A brief assessment reinforces these skills using examples like Grammarly for writing feedback or Canva for visual design.
Module 3: Critical Thinking & Ethics
This module emphasizes ethical AI use and critical evaluation Learners develop skills to identify bias, verify AI-generated content, cite AI assistance appropriately, and understand the broader implications of AI-driven media, highlighting the importance of authenticity and responsible use
An AI-Powered Research Tool Available to AUC Faculty and Staff
Litmaps, an AI-powered research tool, is available to AUC faculty and staff through the AUC Robert W Woodruff Library Introduced at the onset of the 2025 – 2026 academic school year, Litmaps supports scholarly research, teaching, and academic planning by providing powerful tools for exploring and analyzing scholarly literature
Why AUC Faculty and Staff Should Use Litmaps
Litmaps is a visual literature mapping platform that uses interactive citation networks to show how academic papers are connected This approach enables users to identify foundational research, trace the development of ideas over time, and stay informed about new publications relevant to their work.
Faculty and staff use Litmaps to:
Conduct comprehensive literature reviews
Identify influential authors and key publications
Track emerging research trends in their disciplines
Support grant proposals, accreditation, and curriculum development
Pro-Level Features Available to the AUC Community
Through the AUC Woodruff Library, AUC faculty and staff have access to the Pro version of Litmaps, which includes:
Unlimited citation map creation
Collaboration and sharing tools
Advanced analytics and export options
Email alerts for newly published research
Litmaps draws on a database of more than 270 million scholarly publications and applies AI-powered citation analysis to streamline research workflows
Instructional and Research Support
The AUC Woodruff Library provides support for faculty and staff interested in using Litmaps for research or instruction. Subject specialists are available for consultations, workshops, and course-integrated training.
Access Litmaps
Visit the AUC Woodruff Library’s website to access Litmaps. For questions or training assistance, please contact your AUC Woodruff Library subject specialist.
“Litmaps helps students and faculty quickly identify the most relevant journal articles, authors, and related publications by mapping connections across the literature. We purchased it to streamline and speed up the literature review process, making it easier to move from a few key citations to a focused, high-quality set of matching sources in a more efficient, fluid way.”
Terrence J. Martin, Assistant Director of Content and Collection Management
International Games Day 2025
International Games Day (IGD) 2025 at the AUC Woodruff Library took place on November 11–12, 2025, bringing together students, faculty, and guests from across the Atlanta University Center (AUC) for two dynamic days of play, learning, and connection. Designed to offer a refreshing break from daily campus life, the event highlighted the academic, creative, and career possibilities within gaming, technology, and interactive media.
Day One centered on community engagement and exploration Participants enjoyed a wide range of board and console games, immersive virtual reality experiences, and interactive activity boards that encouraged attendees to share their interests, ideas, and feedback Vendor tables featuring AUC departments and local gaming organizations created opportunities for discovery and conversation, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the event.
Day
Two, Dine & Discovery, shifted the focus toward professional and academic pathways Attendees engaged with presentations from AUC faculty, industry professionals, and a student esports panel, gaining valuable insight into careers in gaming, education, and technology. The day emphasized networking, mentorship, and the diverse ways gaming intersects with innovation and scholarship Across both days, IGD 2025 welcomed 242 attendees
Engagement remained high throughout the event, with more than 270 interactions captured through interactive assessment boards Outreach efforts, including promotion at campus events, social media campaigns, flyers, and posters, helped expand awareness and attendance. Delivered with a budget over $1,400, IGD 2025 demonstrated the library’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, creative, and student-centered programming
RADAR
Repository of AUC Digital Collections, Archives, & Research
The Atlanta University Center Robert W Woodruff Library’s RADAR is a digital platform that provides access to the rich scholarly and cultural record of the AUC community and its partners Recently enhanced to improve discoverability and usability, RADAR offers patrons streamlined searching, clearer collection organization, and broader access to digitized materials that support teaching, learning, and research across disciplines Through RADAR, users can explore unique primary sources, institutional histories, and community-based projects that reflect the depth and impact of the AUC consortium. One newly available resource is the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) Collection.
Founded in 1969 by 17 mathematicians from underrepresented groups in response to racism and exclusion within the field, NAM is dedicated to inclusivity, equity, and the advancement of minority mathematicians The collection features organizational newsletters as well as video profiles of notable members recorded at the AUC Woodruff Library
Importantly, the collection highlights the contributions of AUC faculty, including Dr Ronald Mickens, Fuller E Callaway Professor of Physics at Clark Atlanta University, underscoring the longstanding leadership and scholarly excellence within the AUC community
Another significant addition is the Heirloom Gardens Oral History Collection, a collaborative project of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, Princeton University, and Spelman College. This collection documents the stories of individuals working to preserve Black and Indigenous seed traditions and foodways. With more than 100 audio and video oral history interviews accompanied by transcriptions and photographs the collection offers an invaluable record of cultural knowledge, sustainability practices, and community memory Together, these new collections demonstrate RADAR’s role in preserving history, amplifying underrepresented voices, and expanding access to meaningful research materials for patrons
BradOst
Meet the Scholarly Communications Team
Meet Brad Ost and Bryan Briones of the AUC Woodruff Library’s Scholarly Communications Team
The Scholarly Communications Team supports faculty in integrating data visualization tools and open access resources into their teaching and research Services include enhancing classroom materials, identifying high-quality open access content, designing assignments that engage students with emerging
AUC Woodruff Library Expands Peer Tutor Services for Spring Semester 2026
The Peer Tutoring and Writing Assistance service provides students from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College with academic support in proofreading, editing, research guidance, and brainstorming for essays and other writing assignments. Designed to be accessible and flexible, the service is open to all students and is
forms of scholarship, and communicating research through compelling data visualizations
The Scholarly Communications Team also collaborates with faculty on publishing initiatives. Over the past two years, the team has supported the publication of three faculty-authored open access books, as well as several faculty and student journals hosted on the Open Journal Systems (OJS) platform Connect with the Scholarly Communications Team to explore how these services can enrich courses and expand scholarly impact
With the continuation of Peer Tutor Services this spring, the AUC Woodruff Library aims to further support students in developing strong writing and research skills essential for academic and professional success BryanBriones
available both by appointment and through walk-in visits at the Education Resource Center’s Service Desk. Students can conveniently schedule appointments by scanning a QR code available at the service desk
The initiative was first piloted by the library’s Public Services and Academic Engagement (PSAE) department during the final exams period last fall, where it received positive engagement from students seeking additional academic support. Following the successful pilot, the Woodruff Library expanded the program and hired Dejuan Wright as a fulltime peer tutor Wright is a senior at Morehouse College and brings both academic experience and peer-to-peer insight to the role
If you wish to suggest materials for purchase by the AUC Woodruff Library, complete the appropriate Purchase Recommendation Form Requests are forwarded to the appropriate Subject Specialist for consideration. Recommendations are evaluated according to the Library Collection Development Policy
Expanding Access
Interlibrary Loan Services Available Through the AUC Woodruff Library
The AUC Woodruff Library’s Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service is available to currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff of Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College who hold a valid Woodruff Library barcode. This service allows eligible patrons to request books, journal articles, and other materials from other libraries outside the AUC Woodruff Library.
Library accounts must be in good standing to use ILL services Patrons with outstanding fines will not be permitted to borrow interlibrary loan materials until their accounts are cleared Interlibrary loan privileges are not available to guest borrowers or alumni; those individuals are encouraged to submit requests through their local public libraries
AUC students and faculty requesting materials from other libraries outside the AUC must have a library barcode, which can be obtained at the AUC Woodruff Library Information Desk With a valid barcode, patrons may access the Interlibrary Loan System from any internet browser to submit requests, view checked-out items, request renewals, and download electronically delivered articles.