John B. Cade Library welcomes freshmen, new students

In a time when incoming freshman are getting adjusted to college life and to the campus of Southern University, one staff took it upon themselves to introduce its facility to the new faces.
On Wednesday August 14, the staff of the John B. Cade Library held its first annual Amazing Library Race to orient incoming freshmen to the library.
“We wanted them to know where the library is and so they will not get lost using it” said Emma Perry, Dean of Libraries. “We also wanted them to feel special. They can get frustrated with registration and all. We wanted to let them know we are here to help”.
According to Perry, the purpose of the library is “to serve students, faculty, and staff and to provide the best service it can possibly serve.”
The Race, themed Stomp the Yard Edition, after the 2006 feature film, was coordinated by reference librarian Vitalija Svencionyte. The idea of the race developed from Svencionyte hearing about other colleges and universities promoting their libraries and presenting the idea in a staff meeting. After promoting the affair by putting up flyers around campus and staff attending freshmen meetings, the race was put together and coordinated.
Starting with a performance by the Southern University Marching Band, then welcoming speeches from Perry and Student Government Association President Carey Ash, and step performances by a few Pan-Hellenic organizations the festivities began at 10:45 a.m. The race began at 11:30.
Competitors labeled in five groups by colors vied for a table of prizes consisting of Southern University sweatshirts and other school paraphernalia donated by the Follett Bookstore. The teams were met with challenges consisting of tasks and questions created by Svencionyte consisting of having to find call numbers, finding the computer lab and the music lab, and meeting other library staff.
Refreshments were served at the end of the race and the participants were treated to a viewing of the film Stomp the Yard and a social hour in the Information Technology Center (ITC) Lab.
Perry said she is proud of the turnout and that upperclassmen came out to help and participate.
Svencionyte also feels proud.
“We plan to do this every year, or at least every semester”.
The library is located in the center of the Southern University campus next door to the Smith-Brown Memorial Union and across from the SU Law Center. According to the library website, the Cade Library has four floors with a seating capacity of 1,400 and over 154,400 square feet of space. The $11 million dollar facility has over 1 million volumes and was built in 1984.