Come Celebrate the Grand Opening of Archives and Special Collections

BY JIM MULLINS

Spring — the season of renewal, change and transformation — provides the perfect backdrop for the Libraries as we celebrate the long-awaited grand opening and dedication ceremonies of the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center.

The $2.7 million, 15,000-square-foot Karnes center will serve as a focal point for Purdue's rich past and a showcase of accomplishment by those who have contributed to this University — and the world.
 
On Tuesday, April 21, as part of our grand opening events, Irena McCammon Scott, John Purdue's great-great-grandniece and author of Uncle: My Journey with John Purdue, will give a free lecture at 7 p.m. in Fowler Hall.
 
This evening event was planned to allow our community friends the opportunity to join with us in celebrating this special occasion — and I hope you will join me for the reception and tours that will follow the lecture as we officially welcome the public to the center.
 
Our opening celebration also coincides with Purdue’s 140-year anniversary. How appropriate we introduce this new center with an exhibit that takes us back to the beginning of the heritage we share, honor, and add to as an institution. "Portrait of a Founder: John Purdue and Purdue University," began April 3 and runs to July 16.
 
On Friday, April 17, prior to the Tuesday’s grand opening, President France A. Córdova will recognize donors at Archives and Special Collections dedication. For Spring Fest the next day, Saturday, April 18, we’ll give the extended Purdue family an early opportunity to experience our new center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
The following Tuesday’s grand opening events give us a chance to further express our gratitude and celebrate together. Special collections — the treasures we hold and the new arrivals — now have a home worthy of their value thanks to the $1 million gift from Mrs. Karnes, the 1935 Purdue graduate who made the renovation of space for the new facility possible.
 
And let’s all give a special thanks to Sammie Morris and her staff for the terrific and delicate job in facilitating the transition successfully. No easy task! Now at last, this center and it’s growing contents will continue to benefit scholars and students alike in the years ahead.

With so many changes before us, this is a truly special occasion to come together as a unit — staff, faculty, administrators, friends, and Libraries advocates all. We can all take pride in this latest achievement as we move forward together toward our plans already in motion and the aspirations and opportunities on our horizon.

Irena McCammon Scott, John Purdue’s great-great-grandniece, takes the reader on a journey through the life of John Purdue. She begins with his very humble beginnings in Pennsylvania and the family’s struggle to survive in the rough woods of the Appalachian valley to his final days enjoying the college campus that he so dearly loved. She provides detailed information on the Purdue family’s origins, their daily life, and their labored journeys across the Midwest.

She explores John Purdue’s rags-to-riches life of how he successfully built a variety of businesses from the ground up and how he shared his wealth with his family (he had nine sisters), friends, and communities across the United States, and most notably the founding of Purdue University.

She interweaves his life journey with some of the major historical events that took place from the time of his birth in 1802 until his death in 1876, giving the reader an in-depth look at how important some of Purdue’s contributions were to the economy, agriculture, and the education system of rural America.

Her book brings to life a man who loved his family and friends and his dedication to enriching the lives of others.

Hear Scott discuss her book at the Archives and Special Collections Grand Opening on April 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Fowler Hall.

Uncle: My Journey with John Purdue is published by the Purdue Press as part of the "The Founders Series."

Students Enjoy Libraries Yahtzee Tournament

George Bergstrom, MEL, presents the winner, Jeremy Sheaffer, a freshmen in engineering, the grand prize of a $50 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings. Jeremy happened to be walking by near the end of the event and decided to "roll" his way into the tourney. George said, "We actually had a tie, and went to a roll off to determine the winner!"

The Yahtzee tournament was hosted by the Gaming & Immersive Environments task force in UnderGrounds.

As you know the Libraries is in the middle of a large review of library materials expenditures in order to determine which subscriptions can be cancelled so that we can balance our FY10 budget. We will likely need to find $1.0 to $1.2 million to cut from our current expenditures.

Thank you to librarians and staff throughout the Libraries who have been hard at work on this important review project for the past three months. Upcoming deadlines include:

• April 8 – due date for librarians to provide the list of recommended cancellations from their areas, available within the Libraries for discussion and review
• April 20 – list of recommended cancellations is open to campus, posted on the Scholarly Communication web site, http://scholarly.lib.purdue.edu/materials_budget/fy10.html
  

As reported previously the dean has advised the Information Resources Council (IRC) to address this issue by looking at the necessary cuts and cancellations on a continuum, or through $200,000 levels or tiers, and to think about the impacts of the particular cuts and cancellations at each tier level. This way, we will be able to convey the impact of the cuts at each level, and if additional one-time funding becomes available we will know where we to apply it.

Libraries Distinguished Lecture

Nobel laureate Robert Laughlin autographed copies of his books for lecture attendees after his presentation on March 31, 2009. Laughlin spoke about his book "The Crime of Reason and the Closing of the Scientific Mind." His lecture was followed with a question and answer session before the book signing.

Laughlin is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Physics at Stanford and is the sixth speaker in Purdue Libraries Distinguished Lecture Series.

Since January 2009, ITRS has received a number of interesting questions from Libraries staff regarding various aspects of YBP shelf-ready processing. We’ve compiled a few of the most common questions and answers in case anyone else is still wondering about these things too.

Q1) How can I distinguish a shelf-ready book from a locally-processed book?
A1) Look at the call number label on the spine. A shelf-ready book will have a clear sticker covering the call number label whereas locally-marked books will not. YBP uses a different type of label that benefits from a label protector; our labels are heat-affixed and stick just fine on their own.

Q2) Since January, I notice that our library’s name is no longer stamped on the title page. We would like to continue stamping at our library – how can we get more stamps?
A2) In Cataloging we have several copies of each library’s stamp. If you would like the extras, contact Judy Humburg (redeemed@purdue.edu or 42817) and she can send you those via campus mail.

Q3) I don’t understand why this book got this LC number. I think it might be a mistake.
A3) Coming soon: an ePoster on this very topic! In the meantime, contact Sue Long (sue@purdue.edu or 42817) to report possible cataloging errors.

Q4) We have multiple copies of a book; the first copy was classified in Dewey but the second copy came marked with an LC number – is that correct?
A4) Yes, that is how we’ve been handling duplicate/replacement/added copies.

Q5) I found a record in the Online Catalog that lists an LC call number but a status of “No Info Available.” What’s going on here?
A5) For shelf-ready books, we obtain a file of bibliographic records that correspond to each shipment. Sue Long waits to load the records until each shipment has arrived, but understandably, there is a slight lag time between when the shipment arrives and when all the boxes are unpacked and books are barcoded. During this brief time it’s possible to find a catalog record with an LC number displayed yet no item status. Contact Marilyn Shonkwiler (mkshonk@purdue.edu or 42799) if you have a patron needing access to one of these titles.

On February 12th my graduate students and I moved offices from STEW 175 (in Acquisitions) to STEW 279D (where Archives and Special Collections used to be). Although my old office worked well for me, I needed more space for my graduate students to be able to work. My new office space includes a separate room for my graduate students where we can work together or separately without tripping over one another. In addition, this new space is large enough to accommodate additional graduate students that will be needed as the Libraries continue to grow our involvement in sponsored research projects.

The lack of space in the old office also made it difficult for me to have lengthy discussions or hold meetings with Libraries staff or faculty. Not only is my new office better able to accommodate visitors, but there is plenty of additional space nearby for larger meetings or brainstorming sessions.

On April 20-21, the Purdue Libraries will be hosting the 5th Annual Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Visit to Purdue University Libraries. In an effort to support the nationwide initiative to broaden the diversity among library professionals, this partnership was created to allow participants of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce program to become acquainted firsthand with the workings of a major research university library. The scholars will conclude their visit better informed regarding the issues, challenges, and opportunities involved in working in a research environment. 

While here, the visiting scholars will attend structured meetings, informal sessions, receptions, tours of several campus libraries, and will have free time to explore the Purdue campus. The group will also have the opportunity to spend time with James Mullins, Dean of the Libraries, as well as library faculty, administrators and department heads. 

A special note of thanks to Kelly Evans, Jane Kinkus, Mark Newton and Rebecca Richardson for serving on the planning committee.

2009 Visiting Scholars:
Nichole Branch, San Jose State
Camille Chesley, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
LaBae Daniels, Drexel University
Yesenia Figueroa, University of Pittsburgh
Andrea Gagliardi, University of Toronto
Sorrel Goodwin, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
Harriett Green, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
Michelle Guitar, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign
Jameka Lewis, University of Oklahoma
Jennifer McDaniels, Catholic University of America
Shaneka Morris, University of North Texas
Yujung Park, Catholic University of America
Elliot Polak, University of Wisconsin
Muktar Raqib, North Carolina Central University
Ayman Shabana, University of California - Los Angeles
Jennifer Thompson, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Linh Uong, University of North Texas

Visiting South African Librarian

Avenal Finlayson, Engineering subject librarian at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa has been interning at the Purdue Libraries since mid-March. Charlotte Erdmann has been serving as Avenal’s host while she is at Purdue.

She is one of nine South African university librarians visiting the United States on a Carnegie Foundation grant to improve research support. Avenal was chosen for the internship after participating in a two-week residential library academy; undertaking a research project and writing up the findings in a research report.

Avenal has been a librarian for 24 years and enjoys working with students and helping them to develop information seeking skills.  “I am interested in improving access to our e-resources, expanding our e-book collection, and exploring more constructive methods of delivering user education to our students.”

Come and meet Avenal at her Brown Bag Seminars on April 8 and 28.  She will give an overview of South African libraries, with emphasis on the libraries in KwaZulu-Natal region and her university library, and discuss what she has learned during the program and internship.

New Staff

Michelle Conwell
Business Office/Human Resources Clerk

I started working in the Libraries on March 9, 2009. I came to the Libraries after ten years in the Political Science Department. My duties there included developing and maintaining the department Web site, travel, coordinating faculty searches, and most recently the first contact for any IT issues the faculty may have had. I learned a lot from and grew very close to a number of the faculty and I will miss everyone (well almost) in Political Science a lot. They are very supportive about my opportunity with the Libraries.

Even though my office is located within the human resource office, I am working half-time between the business office and human resources. My primary job duties for the business office include travel, monthly payroll (form 33s), direct invoice vouchers and credit card reconciliation. My duties for the HR office include employment processes for clerical/service and undergraduate vacancies, leaves of absence, benefits administration, worker’s compensation, along with being a member of the Safety Committee.

I am originally from Lafayette, but have lived in Wolcott with my husband, Chris, and son, Tommy (14), for the last 16 years. I like to spend my free time with friends and family. I also like to read, cook, and shop (especially for shoes!).

Michelle is located in STEW 265 and can be reached at 494-2899 and michelle@purdue.edu

National Student Employment Week, April 12 - 18

In recognition of National Student Employment Week a few Libraries staff members share their thoughts and gratitude for their student staff.

The student workers in Interlibrary Loan are amazing. We could not do it without them. They travel all over campus, even in below freezing weather. I have never had to come in at night or the weekend because a student did not show up. Their reliability is outstanding! – Laura Patnaude

I could not get my work done or attend the various meetings without my student workers. Even though they have classes to attend, exams, and papers to write they are always ready and willing to do any task I ask of them. They are very hard working and dedicated individuals who make my job a lot easier. Thanks guys for everything you do to help keep the Engineering Library running smoothly. – Dianna Deputy

Hicks Repository student workers have a big responsibility of running the store during the weekday 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. shift and on the weekends. They pull books for the patrons coming to the counter, check out items, monitor non-circulating and restricted items used in our room, scan document delivery requests, retrieve original thesis that sometimes are a bit tricky to find, and of course, count on the phone ringing at the busiest times! Because of the vastness of the huge storage facility, ‘running the joint’ is sometimes a literal statement, but I warn them to keep it to a quick, power-walk…NO RUNNING, please. They are a valued group of students and I can’t thank them enough for their dedication to their jobs. – Dot Lanzalotto

There are not enough words to express my appreciation and respect for our library student assistants! The Chemistry Library is staffed by one student worker both evenings and weekends. This is a tremendous responsibility, involving opening, closing, maintenance of the main floor stacks, and first and foremost providing service to our patrons, both circulation and reference. My student workers through the years have spoiled me with their dependability and strong work ethic! I am continually impressed with their willingness to take on any task presented to them, their professional interaction with the patrons, and their ability to juggle school, work, extra-curricular activities, friends and family. They help keep me current on all the latest trends and they help keep me young…at least in mind and spirit! Most importantly they remind me why I am here each day…to help our student population reach their educational goals! – Sharon Sturgeon

For more information visit the National Student Employment Association Web site.

DLC Hosts 7th Annual Competition for Student Filmmakers

The seventh annual Digital Cinema Contest, co-sponsored by the Libraries and ITaP and hosted by the Digital Learning Collaboratory, is in full swing! The deadline for entries was yesterday, and in the coming weeks there will be a film festival-style screening of all the submitted films, an opportunity to vote for your viewer’s choice award on YouTube, and an awards ceremony to recognize the top films, directors, actors, and technicians.

The screening, which will show all submitted films, will be held on April 15th in Matthews Hall room 210 starting at 7:00 p.m. Entries range anywhere from 30 seconds to 7 minutes, and the screening will include breaks for viewers to come and go if they need. Popcorn and soft drinks will be served!

Following the public screening, entries will be posted on YouTube with the tag “dcc09” for public viewing and voting. The viewer’s choice award, along with awards for best documentary, alternative, animated, and narrative film, will be presented at the awards ceremony on April 23 at the Lafayette Theater (time TBD). Individual participants in the filmmaking process will also be recognized in categories for best actor, actress, cinematography, sound design, special features, and director.

Libraries faculty and staff will help judge the films in each category, as do members of the Film & Video Studies department and ITaP. This contest is a great opportunity for students to learn more about filmmaking, use the resources of the Digital Learning Collaboratory, and be recognized for their work. Invitations for the awards ceremony will be sent via email once the time is confirmed.

For more information, visit http://dlc.purdue.edu/dcc.cfm.