Collections Management News: Update on HKRP Moratorium

By SUZANNE WARD

The Libraries are currently in the process of examining the Hicks Repository (HKRP) moratorium to consider opening space for HKRP to begin accepting selected items.

The HKRP opened in 1982 at the same time as the Hicks Undergraduate Library. With 102,000 linear feet of shelving, it must have seemed that the space there for housing low use materials was inexhaustible. But by 2006 the facility was over 95% full. Managers realized that some free space must be maintained in HKRP to accommodate future critical needs and that some plans needed to be made to withdraw some of the material. So in November 2006, a moratorium was declared; no new items could be transferred to HKRP except under special, pre-approved circumstances. While the moratorium was in effect, several efforts were made to create more space in HKRP. The Libraries had purchased electronic backfiles for journal titles from two major providers of e-journals: JSTOR and Elsevier. In both cases the electronic backfiles extended back to volume 1 for most titles and the providers allowed resource sharing from the electronic versions. A plan was proposed, approved, and implemented to move corresponding print volumes from both HKRP and the active collections to a dark repository in Lynn Hall (LYNN). The catalog records for the print volumes were suppressed; patron access was entirely via the electronic files. 

Simultaneously, a two-year serials de-selection special project targeted very low use journals in HKRP, especially journals with few volumes or scattered holdings. A special projects librarian compiled lists of these journal titles by subject area and compared Purdue’s holdings with those of four consortial benchmark libraries. When titles met certain criteria, subject specialists reviewed the lists to flag those few titles which should be kept to support the university’s learning and research needs. 

The JSTOR, Elsevier, and serials de-selection projects freed up space in both HKRP and in the active collections. However, two major critical needs situations filled up about half the space that had been freed in HKRP by the projects. Currently, only about 4,600 linear feet are available in HKRP, and these are largely scattered in small pockets throughout the repository. HKRP is still about 95% full; the open shelves must be kept available for critical needs so the moratorium on new transfers must be maintained.

The Information Resources Council (IRC) acknowledges that the continuing HKRP moratorium makes space planning a challenge for Purdue Libraries. IRC is investigating several initiatives for alleviating the situation. One project that is just getting underway is a review of the new titles that JSTOR has added to its electronic journal backfiles since we completed the transfers to LYNN a couple of years ago. As we identify more journal titles for which we have stable electronic access back to volume 1, plans will be made to move those volumes from both HKRP and the active collections to LYNN. 

The goal is eventually to open up enough space in HKRP so that some new transfers can be accepted on a priority basis while still reserving enough space for critical needs.

Please contact Sue Ward or Beth McNeil with questions.

Join in One Great Read Discussion Group

This year’s book choice for the community-wide One Great Read program is Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, a graphic novel, and a fast read. A discussion of the book and optional Middle Eastern food pitch-in for Purdue Libraries’ faculty and staff is set for:

Wednesday, July 22, in UnderGrounds from noon – 1:00 p.m.  

The discussion will be led by Megan Sapp Nelson. Some snacks (humus, pita, salad) will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own lunch and/or something to share with the group. Please contact Catherine Fraser Riehle if you have questions.

A book review by Claire Alexander is provided below.

Check out this web site for more info about One Great Read and community-wide related events, and here for more info about Persepolis. Copies of the book are on reserve in UGRL.

Greater Lafayette Area’s One Great Read
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

UGRL Reserves: 955.0542092 Sa83pE 2003

Delightful is not the first word that comes to mind when thinking about a memoir of a childhood in revolution and war. But delightful Persepolis is.

This book, called graphic novel by some and comic-book autobiography by others, is a humanizing introduction to life in Iran at the time of the revolution and Iraq-Iran war through the eyes of a character named Marji Satrapi. We get vignettes from the narrator’s life from age 10 to 14. Through a discussion with her father about her great grandfather, we even get a brief glimpse of Iran before her time, before the Shah days, when her great grandfather was the Emperor of Iran and deposed.

Marji is a convincing narrator. She is a mix of naive that we would expect of a child, insightful that we would expect of a precocious child, and of the obedience and rebelliousness that go with adolescence. Sometimes she sees by herself, as her observation of the contradiction of verbal belief in a classless society and the awareness that they have a maid who cannot marry the neighbor. Sometimes she has to be told, as when she parrots that the Shah was chosen by God and her parents fill her in on family history. She progresses from parroting to challenging when the same teacher who said the Shah was chosen by God tells the students to tear photos of the Shah from their books after the revolution.

I am not a fan of graphic books, so my appreciation had to be earned. But earn it Satrapi did by conveying more complexity than I would have thought possible in the stripped down use of words. She makes every word count, and uses drawings to expand the idea.  Facial expressions, body postures, and crowds fill in quite a bit. Some of the blocks are artful and could even stand alone.

Persepolis is certainly not a complete history of Iran, but it is an introduction. Or if one knows the history, it is a humanizing moment conveyed in personalizing experience. It is probably not a typical story, being a tale of an upper class child of resisting parents. A child of believing parents would have had quite a different experience. And there was never a fear that a family member would turn another family member in for disobedience, something that sometimes happens in repressive regimes. But it is a story of believable experiences that put flesh and blood on what was otherwise, for me, a remote history.

VETM Library Dog Sits Oliver During the Dog Days of Summer

As announced in the June 19th issue of the Journal & Courier, “Oliver,” one of the Dog Days of Summer sculptures is currently on display in the entrance of the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall.

Originally named “Give a Dog a Bone: an X-Ray View” by artist Liz Rainey, Oliver underwent orthopedic surgery last week to repair a broken leg sustained when he was stolen from in front of Lynn Hall. A veterinary orthopedic surgeon, Amy Fauber DVM, has fitted Oliver with an external skeletal fixator to stabilize his limb.

Following a scurrilous string of thiefs and vandalism that have occurred since the “Dogs” went on display in late April, most members of the West Lafayette pack are now available for viewing (and photographs) in various buildings across campus.

The Veterinary Library staff is excited to provide shelter for this injured canine for the summer and encourage everyone to visit the “Dog Days of Summer”statutes and to support this fund-raising effort for the Art Museum and the SVM 50th Anniversary scholarship fund.

To answer our most frequent question, Oliver’s name is derived from “all of us” since he is sponsored by all the School of Veterinary Medical faculty, staff, and students. 

MEL's Phase 1 Renovation Nearing Completion

MEL's phase 1 renovation project is just about complete. Pictured on the left is the corporate study space and conference room that is open for scheduling and on the right is the Learn Lab. "Classes and meetings are already being booked for these areas. "The Learn Lab offers us an opportunity to continue building collaborative partnerships with faculty and students, " says Tomalee Doan."We can take what we learn from this renovation and apply it to other learning environments within our library system."

There will be an open house this fall for staff to tour the new space.

On June 11, 2009, the Planning and Operations Council approved the charge for a new committee, the Circulation Services Steering Committee (CSSC). The CSSC will replace the Circulation Discussion Group and the new charge and membership reflects the increased emphasis on Libraries-wide circulation services.

Circulation Services Steering Committee Charge
Purpose/Goals
The Circulation Services Steering Committee is charged with the oversight of policies and procedures pertaining to circulation and reserve functions of the Purdue University Libraries. The CSSC will develop consistent circulation and reserve policies system-wide, and work with Operations Coordinators and circulation staff to implement these policies throughout the Libraries. The Committee will identify staff training needs and assist with orientation of new staff members, ensure all circulation and reserves staff develop expertise in using appropriate systems, investigate new services and systems to meet user needs. The Committee will solicit input and advice from appropriate sources, both internal and external, and will keep all stakeholders apprised of information about and improvements/changes to existing circulation and reserve services. The Committee will report to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Member Characteristics
The Circulation Services Steering Committee is appointed by the Planning and Operations Council for two year terms. Members have an active commitment to providing quality service, a demonstrated commitment to user needs, and a system-wide perspective. Members are actively involved in providing circulation services within the Libraries system and have strong service orientation, good communication and computer skills, and a positive attitude towards change.

CSSC members for 2009 – 2010
Laurie Sadler, Chair
Jill Begley, HSSEB (7/1/09 – 6/30/11)
Sandy Galloway, PSET (7/1/09 – 6/30/11)
Cheryl Oliver, HLS (7/1/09 – 6/30/10)
Dacia Weisler, Circulation Services/HKRP (7/1/09 – 6/30/11)
Amy Winks, ILL (7//1/09 – 6/30/10)

The CSSC will meet regularly and communicate with all staff providing circulation services. Agendas and meeting notes will be posted to the intranet. If you have any questions about the work of CSSC please contact Laurie Sadler.

Thank you to all who participated on the Circulation Discussion Group these past few years. 

Hi! My name is Tippy, short for Tippecanoe, and I am the official Spokescow for the 2010 USAIN Conference. Purdue will be hosting the conference next May 9-12, 2010. USAIN, or the United States Agricultural Information Network, is an organization for agriculture librarians and information specialists, so I am proud to represent them. For the past year, I have been traveling all over the world to get the word out about the conference. I have snorkeled in St. John, enjoyed a Guinness in Ireland, ran away from giant insects in Costa Rica, and eaten waffles in Belgium.

I have also traveled around the US. I have been to Austin, Nashville, Brooklyn, Denver, DC, Raleigh, and New Orleans. New Orleans was my favorite because of the beignets! At any rate, I have a couple of Web sites to share with you. First, I have a Facebook page at USAIN 2010 that includes all my pics plus my cousins around the country and their photos. There is also a Web site for the conference: http://usain.lib.purdue.edu/. Both will be updated on a regular basis.

Are you traveling anywhere far or near? I love to travel, and there are lots of places I haven’t been yet. I love to go to state parks, farmer’s markets, county fairs, BBQ’s, barn raisings – you name it! Contact Marianne Stowell Bracke and she’ll make sure we get connected. Just take a picture of me and send it back to her.

Update on Book Sale

As you may recall, last September the Libraries annual book sale was postponed, pending a review of staff resources and Libraries priorities. At this time, the decision has been made that the Purdue Libraries will not continue with annual book sales. 

Since last fall we have been piloting a project to handle materials which previously would have gone into the book sale, as recommended to us by some of our CIC colleagues. While the pilot has worked well, it has still required more staff time than we would ideally like to devote to materials we do not need for the Purdue Libraries. And so, in the near future, we will issue a formal request for proposals to book vendors, dealers, etc., for whom we have contact information. For more information, please contact Beth McNeil.

Bartow Culp Retires

Bartow Culp, retiring Chemistry librarian, shakes hands with Scott Brandt, associate dean for research, at his retirement reception on June 24, 2009. Dean Mullins also shared several memorable comments about Bartow and read a song that was composed in honor of Bartow and performed by Judith Currano (University of Pennsylvania) at the Division of Chemistry’s annual open house at SLA.

Connect with the Purdue Libraries in a Web 2.0 Way

Libraries are known for embracing new technologies, and the Purdue Libraries are no different. Recently the Purdue Libraries have decided to venture into social media territory with a Facebook fan page and a new Twitter account.

Become a Fan of the Purdue Libraries at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/West-Lafayette-IN/Purdue-University-Libraries/45086321078?ref=s, and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PurdueLibraries.

We would love to feature news and announcements about your library, events, resources, or just cool tips on these sites. To submit items, please email Kayla Gregory at kgregory@purdue.edu.

Here are some other Purdue Libraries Facebook groups and pages:

Pages:
M. G. Mellon Library of Chemistry at Purdue University
Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center
USAIN 2010
Purdue Press

Groups:
Purdue University Engineering Library
Purdue University Undergraduate Library
Purdue University Physics Library
2009 Purdue University Common Reading Project

If you have any links to add, let us know and we will feature them in the next issue of INSIDE.

In late July, the Marketing Office and ITRS will work together to host training to help libraries and units optimize the reach of their news and announcements through Libraries and university RSS feeds. Watch for more information soon!