December 2008

ALUMNI NEWS

One lucky alum - seen here with Athletics Director Keith Gill and University Librarian Bill Mayer - won a signed AU basketball. photos by Jeff Watts

Bloomingdale’s Benefit Supports University Library

Dozens of AU-affiliated shoppers gathered on the third floor of the new Bloomingdale’s in Friendship Heights to check in, sample treats and cocktails, and learn more about one of the greatest community resources on AU’s campus—the University Library. The library’s second annual holiday shopping fundraiser took place on Tuesday, December 9 and brought together members from every area of AU’s community – faculty, staff, alumni, and students—all shopping for a great cause.

As University Librarian Bill Mayer noted in his formal remarks, “Don’t go home alone! Have some of those nice brown bags with you.” Many visitors complied, taking door prizes home along with their purchases, of which 10 percent was donated to the library. With more than 60 guests attending and shopping, the volunteers at the registration desk were kept busy registering supporters’ receipts well after the event officially ended.

Not only did guests buy gifts, but some received them, too. A different door prize was given every 15 minutes, and a formal raffle awarded such alumni as Jonah Gitlitz, KSB/BS ’55, with a tour of the AU Library’s Special Collections and Archives by the University Archivist, and Peter Scholl, KSB/BSBA ’87, with a one-year membership to Jacob’s Fitness Center.

Guests were also serenaded by the musical numbers of AU’s all-male a cappella group, On a Sensual Note, who performed songs such as Frosty the Snowman for shoppers.

Shoppers were treated to some a cappella musical magic from AU group, "On a Sensual Note" during the event.

After a successful shopping event last December at Crate & Barrel, Mayer was thrilled when Bloomingdale’s agreed to host this year’s fundraiser. “Bloomingdale’s stepped up and said they really wanted to support this event,” says Mayer.

The AU Library has been seeing many changes in the past few years as it’s grown and adapted to recent technology and student trends. One of its most recent changes was its summer wireless network enhancement. Mayer recounts, “In May of 2008, we could have maybe 50-75 people on the wireless network in the library at one time. Now, since August 2008, we’ve been able to handle more than 700, and…over finals we had over 400 people every morning on the wireless network in the library.”

Not only does the library have enhanced wireless network capabilities, but the four floors hold over one million books; 11,000 films; and 65 newspaper subscriptions, in addition to microforms, sound recordings, musical scores, and electronic journals. And the great thing is, alumni never lose access to the library’s great resources. Once an Eagle, you’re always a member of the library.

“The library is really a community,” Mayer explains. “And when I think about it—community, partnerships, transitions—those are the three things that we’re really most focused on.”
To make the most of your Bender Library access, e-mail involved@american.edu to receive your AU Alumni ID card. Present your AU Alumni ID card at the circulation desk upon arrival at Bender Library, and a bar-coded identification sticker will be affixed so that you can begin checking out materials.

Alumni can also access the Academic Search Alumni Edition, which includes valuable peer-reviewed full-text journals, offering critical information from many sources, through AU’s inCircle community <link to: incircle.alumni.american.edu>.

To get involved with AU’s Bender Library, visit www.library.american.edu/friends for more information.

-Heather Buckner

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