Dancers give the library an international flavor at the Pangaea party Friday Photo credit: Jon Gardiner

Durham, NC - A mini-Eiffel Tower welcomed guests at Perkins Library. Inside were tours through the Serengeti, dancing at a Bollywood hot spot and drinks at an Arabian oasis. It was all part of Pangaea: The Library Party!

Pangaea, held this past Friday, was organized by the Duke International Association and Duke Libraries with significant help from students and carried the theme of "One World and One Party." Scaled down from last year's library party, the event was both a respite from the bad economic news and a chance for the university community to celebrate the library and the university's international connections.

"It's great, wonderful and amazing as to what the library can do. They have done a great job, and it's very well organized too," said Christa Johns, a Germanic Languages faculty member. faculty member.

The mini-Eiffel Tower set the mood of excitement and diversity at the library. Live performances by Panda Force, Soulless Dogs, Dub Addis and bands from Brazil provided the music and a chance for faculty, staff, alumni and students dressed in semi-formals to dance.

"I am really happy I came here; it's cool to see everybody coming together," said junior Isabel Freiberger. "It has given me a new perspective of the library."

Margaret McKean, a political science professor, said: "I am having a great time seeing my students and former students enjoying so much. I like the fact that there is music in the library, it's fantastic."

Glow sticks, disco ambience and DJ Mirakulus got people hitting the dance floor at "Club Pangaea" in the LINK. The food at Pangaea was diverse and included sushi, samosas, fried plantains, soasties and egg rolls. Cash bars served wine/beer to students 21 years old and older.

More than 50 on-campus organizations helped to fund and promote the party. Library spokesperson Ilene Nelson said the budget for the party was slashed by 35 percent because of the financial crisis. 

"The student organizers have done a remarkable job of both raising money from sponsors campuswide and scaling back expenses to keep it within a budget they could fund," Nelson said.

Attendees said they were glad to come to the library for a "different reason" and enjoyed the themes, salsa, belly dancing and music that rocked the entire evening.

"Its fun to watch the library being used in this way," library preservation officer Winston Atkins said with a gleeful laugh.