During the summer and fall of 1999, the Music Library was privileged to have Yolanda Gilmore, the General Library System's Librarian-in-Residence, participate in its bibliographic instruction and reference programs. Yolanda taught music-related MadCat workshops, Journal and Information Database workshops, and individual classes. She served on the library's reference desk, and in addition she assisted in collection development for the Music Library.
As part of her residency, Yolanda has worked in a number of capacities throughout the General Library System in the areas of acquisitions, cataloging, and collection development. Her primary base of operations is the Memorial Library Reference Department from which she is regularly propelled into the role of teacher in library workshops and other instructional settings.
Yolanda received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Spelman College and her master's degree in library science from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. After graduation, she was the circulation librarian at the Holgate Library of Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. Professionally, Yolanda has given presentations at conferences of the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians, and the Wisconsin Library Association.
When she is not busy with professional activities, Yolanda enjoys listening to music, especially rhythm and blues, jazz, black gospel, and hip hop. She is a particular fan of Aretha Franklin. Yolanda readily admits, "I wish I could sing, but I can't. I know the words to the songs, the melody, the rhythms and the instrumentation. But I can't find the tune!"
She may not be able to find the tune, but she has found a way to be an effective teacher with an easy-going manner, a person who can quickly engage a class of students. We're so happy she shared some of her time and talent with us.