>Tonight I went down to WKDU for the first time in probably two years (since I graduated undergrad). I felt like a bit of an olde lady at first (most of the execs are not old enough to drink, and the two positions I held there – publications director and public affairs director – don’t exist anymore!) but mostly things are very much the same. The exec staff seems a bit more laid back and open to suggestion than some previous administrations (maybe they were a bit intimidated by me because I’m a scary olde lady now). One of the biggest differences is the addition of the faculty advisor, who is much more hands on about things than previous ones, actually has a great deal of radio experience and connections, and is using them to promote and improve KDU in some tangible ways. He gave me the name of a sympathetic Drexel librarian who might be of help to me, so I have an action plan and WKDU’s blessing to continue poking around for more info. So far, so good.

I also got to take a bunch of pictures, I figured they’d be useful, and also that some of you who’ve been reading this might wonder what it’s like down there. There are lots of fun things to take pictures of in KDU (including a full Risk-style war scene with army men and barracks glued to the ceiling), but since my camera only holds about 10 pics I had to stick to the library-related stuff.

One row in the record library. Note the letters for filing in alphabetical order.

Imagine trying to find a record when faced with hundreds of shelves that look like this.

WKDU’s record library, long view. Note the CDs are creeping in on the records’ territory.

This reminds me of the cinematic masterpiece Party Girl “That’s OK everybody, let’s just put things back WHEREVER WE WANT!!”

Standing on this rickety ladder brought back a lot of memories. Mostly of getting vertigo when looking in the “B” section and desperately hoping I didn’t break my neck. When you’re underground in a locked radio station, no one can hear you scream…

Part of the CD library at WKDU. That is not a ghost on the right, it is a trashbag. The roof has been leaking!

Crates of CDs waiting to be filed, like orphans looking for a home.

KDU deters thieves upon penalty of DEATH. There is another sign somewhere that illustrates the exact way that your hands will be cut off if you’re caught. Don’t go down that road, kids, and stay in school!

One of the not-so-gently loved records in the library, Black Flag’s (here ironically titled) Damaged.

A close up of the tag. Originally I took this shot because I thought it was funny. It reads, “Black Flag Damaged – it really is! 12/1/81.” Then I realized, this record was added to the WKDU library on the exact day and year of my birth! It looks like it’s been through a war. My war! Har har I’m not funny.