Howard University welcomed in Washington Research Library Consortium

Washington DC- At the beginning of this month, Howard University was accepted as the newest member in the Washington Research Library Consortium.

The WRLC was created in 1987 and is comprised of universities in the D.C. area. Its purpose is to facilitate the exchange of books and online research systems among the students and faculty of the member libraries. The current members of the WRLC include American University, The Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Marymount University, the University of the District of Columbia, and most recently, Howard University.

With its inclusion, Howard students and faculty will be able to borrow books and research materials and have access to online databases from all of the universities previously mentioned, and they will have access to Howard collections in return.

Shelley Stokes-Hammond, public relations officer for the Howard University library, works with the grants task group, which consists of public relations officers from the WRLC member universities to the benefit all of the schools.

"Students will be able to borrow books from any university using the Aladdin database," Hammond said, "They can go into the database and find books that we may not have at any of the other schools."

Howard students are already excited to see the benefits of Howard's membership in the WRLC.

"I think it's a great opportunity not only for Howard students but all university students in the area," said Antonya Bruno, sophomore public relations major, "because if we don't have a book that I need, I can go to another university."

"Often times, I was unable to find certain books for research papers in the various Howard libraries," said Jerel Saul, sophomore legal communications major. "This acceptance gives students extra outlets in terms of conducting research and finding the books that Howard students need."

Students will be able to access books, journals and articles through the online database, Aladin or Access to Libraries and Database Information Network. The online catalog represents over seven million articles.

 "HU students will have more resources and it will help to connect our school with the others in the district." said Felicyana Lowery, freshman marketing major, "This can also save HU money in that with the sharing system they won't have to buy a multitude of the same book."

 "I believe that Howard's acceptance into the WRLC is a great educational achievement for Howard and one more step closer into the direction of Howard proving it's self as a research based institution." said Chidere Wilkins-Agomo, sophomore biology major.

For more information about the new library system and all of the rules for using the WRLC go to www.howard.edu/library