GIS Day

BY CHRIS MILLER

GIS Day 2008On November 23, 2009, Purdue University Libraries will host events for the third annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day at Purdue. GIS Day is a global celebration of geospatial research and GIS, which uses a collection of software applications, GPS receivers and data sensors, and processes that combine maps and statistical data in a digital mapping environment to answer research questions. The international event, which is being celebrated on November 18, 2009, includes celebrations by more than 80 countries worldwide.

Based on feedback from the previous two years of celebrating GIS Day, the Libraries selected an alternate date to allow for maximum participation from faculty all over campus. Purdue’s events are designed to illustrate how GIS can amplify the impact of research across campus, as well as to demonstrate the applications of GIS research in our everyday lives.

To celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of GIS research, a poster session and series of presentations will bring researchers from across campus together to learn from one another. Presentations will be designed for researchers already using GIS, as well as for those who are curious about how GIS can further their research. In addition, we will also be hosting a geocaching event again this year. Geocaching is a high-tech scavenger hunt using GPS devices to find specific locations and prizes, which will be placed strategically around campus. Last year, 35 people participated in the geocaching event, many using GPS receivers from the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Library.

Stay tuned for more details about the event, and visit http://www.lib.purdue.edu/gis/ for more information about GIS and the Purdue Libraries.

 

Astronauts Donate Papers and Items to Archives and Special Collections Flight Collection

Janice Voss and President CordovaPurdue alumni and astronauts Janice Voss and Roy Bridges Jr. donated personal papers and items to the Libraries Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center at a reception on October 28, 2009. President France A. Córdova announced the addition of the new materials to the flight archives, which already includes artifacts from astronaut alumni Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan.

“I’m thrilled that two more astronauts have chosen to donate their papers to this university,” Córdova said. “Our alumni have taken part in nearly 35 percent of all manned U.S. space flights. They, along with Purdue, have played a defining role in space history. These generous gifts help cement Purdue’s place in space and will serve future generations as a historical record and as an inspiration.”Roy Bridges

The addition of their papers and items will expand a growing collection. The George Palmer Putnam Collection of Amelia Earhart Papers - the world's largest compilation of papers, memorabilia and artifacts related to the late aviator - along with papers form 1930 graduate and aviation pioneer Ralph Johnson, are also housed in Archives and Special Collections.

"We are truly honored to be entrusted with preserving these collections and providing them as documents and artifacts for the historical record," said Jim Mullins. "Purdue's tradition in U.S. air and space travel will live forever in our archives, thanks to our generous alumni."

 

CIC Scan Update

BY BETH McNEIL

In the September 23 issue of INSIDE, I provided an overview of the CIC Environmental Scan that our liaison librarians will be helping with this year. The goal of this project is to develop a better idea of faculty publishing practices to inform the CIC provosts and faculty leaders about these issues. Mark Newton and Sue Ward are leading Purdue’s efforts, with a goal to have Phase 1 of the scan complete by December 15, and completion of Phase 2 by March 15.

In order to prepare our liaison librarians, two information sessions are being held next week in the Hicks iLab (G959): Monday, 11/9, 11am-12 pm; Friday, 11/13, 11am-12 pm. Gretchen Stephens completed Phase 1 of the scan as part of the CIC trial, and will be providing helpful tips and feedback at both sessions. The environmental scan form will be available online within the next couple weeks.

For more information, contact me at memcneil@purdue.edu.

 

Usage Continues to Increase for Ask a Librarian

BY MATT BEJUNE

Ask A Librarian web pageUsage of the Libraries "Ask a Librarian" service during September and October is up 137% as compared to fall 2008. During the first two full months of the semester we answered 499 email questions and 1,018 chat sessions (September: 244 email and 533 chat, and October: 255 email and 485 chat). These are by far our biggest monthly totals ever. Our previous highest monthly total was in April 2009 (520 total email and chat).

The increase can be attributed in large part to changes implemented at the beginning of the semester: the expansion of chat hours on Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and extending the roll-out of the QuestionPoint widget, aka the Qwidget, throughout the Libraries’ Web site.

Anecdotally DigRef staff has commented they have been busier than ever before and the numbers confirm it. Given our current usage trends we are on a pace to answer over 5,000 questions this year! Thanks to all for a job well done.

 

Big Screens Come to UGRL

UGRL Monitor

Students no longer have to huddle around a tiny laptop screen when working on a project together. There are now five, thirty-six inch flat screen monitors available in the Undergraduate Library for patron use. The monitors have connecting cables already attached and are on wheeled tables making them easily moveable to suit patron needs. Twenty transportable tables and accompanying chairs have also been added to UGRL’s main floor. The new monitors and furniture will allow students to configure both collaborative and independent work spaces that work for them, and UGRL staff members have already observed their creativity in using the new furniture.

In the above photo Dawn Stahura provides instruction on using the screen to students working on a project in UGRL.

 

Collections and Information Resources Update

BY SUZANNE WARD

Hathi Trust Logo

Hathi Trust Digital Library

Hathi Trust is a digital repository for large research libraries. It was formed by collaboration between the consortium of which Purdue University is a member, the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), and the University of California system. Other libraries may join as partners.

Hathi Trust archives digitized items such as books and journals. Some of the items come from the libraries involved in the Google Books project, while others are contributed by partner libraries from other digitization projects. The catalog contains nearly four million volumes, about 640,000 of which are in the public domain and available in full text.

For a sample search in the Hathi Trust catalog click here: (http://catalog.hathitrust.org/) type purdue in the search box and choose the publisher field from the drop down menu. You will find over 300 records, some of them with full text. Can you find the booklet announcing Purdue’s classes in railway engineering in 1900?

 

The Intranet Needs You!

BY JANE YATCILLA

Jane YatcillaGreetings! I am the chair of the Intranet Oversight Committee, which includes Elaine Bahler, Lisa Purvis, and Roger Strater. We are in search of ways to improve the Libraries intranet to ensure that it is a convenient, evolving platform that will contribute to a culture of communication within the Libraries. To this end, we will be conducting some focus groups in the near future to gather information from you, the users, to guide us in our work.

A focus group is a small group meeting in which participants are asked about their attitudes toward a particular product or service. The questions asked don’t have any right or wrong answers; the best answers are honest ones! The focus groups will be run by me and one other member of the Oversight Committee. A digital sound recorder will be running to make sure we capture everybody’s thoughts, but rest assured that your comments will remain anonymous—once a session has been transcribed without names, the recording will be erased. We are simply seeking people’s input so that the strengths and weaknesses of the intranet can become more obvious, and to get some ideas of what would make the intranet work better for you.

The experts recommend that focus groups be comprised of similar users, so we will be scheduling meeting times for novice intranet users, users with moderate intranet skills, and turbo users. Please sign up for the session you think best applies to you and your use of the intranet.

Stayed tuned to liball for your chance to sign up!

If you are unable to attend a focus group meeting, you can always give me your input directly, by phone at 49-42856 or by email at jkinkus@purdue.edu.

 

In Memoriam

Helen V. SchroyerHELEN V. SCHROYER

Ms. Schroyer received a B.S. degree from Indiana State University in 1946 and an M.S. degree from Purdue University in 1971. She began her Purdue Libraries career in April 1966 as a junior assistant in the General Library before becoming the Special Collections Librarian in 1986. Helen retired in 1996 after serving 30 years in the Purdue Libraries.

 

 

Archives to Exhibit J. C. Allen Photos

The photography of J. C. Allen will be featured in an exhibit running November 3 - December 23 in Purdue’s Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center.

"Agriculture in Focus: Through the Lens of J. C. Allen” will display a number of his photos that capture student life, the changing Purdue campus, and agriculture.

Allen spent more than 70 years taking photos of rural life and Purdue University, creating an incredible collection of photos documenting American agriculture during the early 20th century. In the 1970s Allen presented roughly 20,000 prints, glass plates and negatives to Purdue for archival purposes.

The College of Agriculture had maintained the Allen Archive until recently, when space was made available at Purdue University Libraries.

A reception will be held for local donors to the College of Agriculture and the Libraries on Friday, November 13.

This article originally appeared in Purdue Agriculture Connections Magazine.

 

"Our Hero's Tree" Display in UGRL

Our Heros Tree in UGRLThe Hicks Undergraduate Library is hosting a display for the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue as part of their “Our Heroes Tree” project. For more information on this program, click here.

The Purdue Libraries are one of more than 70 libraries statewide hosting a tree to help the community honor a soldier, sailor, airman, marine, coast guardsman, military veteran or fallen service member by creating a personalized ornament for display on the tree.

Templates for ornaments and supplies are available with the display. To help start the program off strong, we encourage Libraries faculty and staff to create ornaments to help fill the tree if you have a military service man or woman in your life who you would like to honor.

Special thanks to RaeLynn Boes and Dawn Stahura for creating the display and getting the tree set up. Questions about the MFRI program can be directed to the marketing office (kgregory@purdue.edu).

 

Copyright Myth #3

BY DONNA FERULLO

Donna FerulloMyth:  Copyrights only last for 20 years.

Truth:  Under current U.S. copyright law, individual copyright holders own their copyright for their entire life plus 70 years after they die. They can transfer their copyright in their wills to family members or friends. It is anticipated that in the very near future the duration of copyright will be extended even longer since many copyrights in major money makers such as Mickey Mouse will expire soon.

 

 

Green Tambourine

BY CLAIRE ALEXANDER

Claire AlexanderI found the No-Impact Experiment week enlightening—and it will be run again. It is based on Colin Beavan’s No Impact Man, a book that records his insights and actions during a yearlong experiment to get to zero impact (363.7 B386N 2009 at Tippecanoe County Library). A week seems more manageable than a year! There is a challenge for each day that targets a different area, such as consumption or transportation.

No, I didn’t get to zero impact. But through using several assessment tools—analyzing my water use, collecting and analyzing my trash accumulation, among others—I found the next area in need of improvement. And from the How-to Manual and the group blog responses to the experiment, I got some practical ideas for addressing these areas; more of that in the future.

For now, consider participating in one of the next experiment weeks –scheduled to begin November 15 and January 3. Go to http://noimpactproject.org/experiment/faqs/#  for more details, then fill in ‘keep in touch’ in order to be contacted at the start of the next week. Then after you have done the week, consider guest writing a Green Tambourine column with your insights and forward them to me at calex@purdue.edu.

 

contents
  • Astronauts Donate Papers
  • CIC Scan Update
  • Usage of Ask A Librarian
  • Big Screens Come to UGRL
  • Collections and Information Resources Update:Hathi Trust
  • The Intranet Needs You!
  • In Memoriam
  • J. C. Allen Exhibit
  • "Our Hero's Tree in UGRL
  • Copyright Myth #3
  • Green Tambourine
  • Off the Shelf
  • Libraries in the News
  • Libraries Staff A - Z
  • Student Staff
  • Tippy Update
  • Connect with Purdue Libraries
  • What's Cooking?

 

Off the shelf

Continuing Vacancies

  • Secretary IV, .50FTE University Copyright Office (University Posting #0900518)
  • Libraries Data Coordinator/Assistant to the Dean (University Posting #0901028)

To view all Purdue job postings visit the Purdue employment page. If you have additional questions, contact Tom Haworth, 494-2903.

 

libraries in the news

WLFI TV18, October 21, 2009
Film renews interest in Earhart's life, article and video

WTHR 13, October 21, 2009
Purdue has close ties with Amelia Earhart legacy; article and video

Associated Press, October 22, 2009
Earhart film may spur interest in Ind. collection
Also appeared:

Lafayette Journal & Courier, October 23, 2009
Amelia Earhart: Legendary aviator

Purdue Exponent, October 23, 2009
New Earhart movie stirs memories of connection to Purdue; Sammie Morris photo

Indianapolis Star, October 26, 2009
University was resource for film Amelia Earhart film

UNS Press Release, October 28, 2009
Purdue announces addition of 2 more astronauts' papers to flight collection
Also appeared:

Lafayette Journal & Courier, October 28, 2009
Astronaut archives take on extra payload

Lafayette Journal & Courier, October 29, 2009
Astronauts' papers add to Purdue space legacy

Purdue Today, October 30, 2009
Archives and Special Collections celebrates John Purdue's birthday with online exhibit

Lafayette Journal & Courier, November 1, 2009
Purdue offers access to Debris online

UNS Press Release, November 2, 2009
Purdue Libraries celebrate new interactive classroom, start second of three-phase renovation
Also appeared:

 

Libraries Staff a - Z

MELINDA CROKER
Melinda CrokerUGRL
Evening Reference/Circ Asst

Q.  What do you enjoy most about your job and why? 
A.  I like to help students find resources for their different projects because they are so appreciative.

Q.  How long have you worked in the Libraries and at Purdue? 
A.  Approximately 17 years.

Q.  What’s your favorite book, Web site, movie, or database? 
A.  My Brother’s Keeper by Marcia Davenport.

Q.  Coffee, tea, water, or soft drink?
A.  Coffee!

Q.  What do you like to do for fun? 
A.  Play tennis.

 

student staff

EMIR KAVURMACIOGLU
Emir KavurmaciogluSenior
Electrical Engineering

Q.  What Library do you work in?
A.  Life Sciences Library.

Q.  Where is your hometown?
A.  Istanbul, Turkey.

Q.  What do you like about the Purdue Libraries?
A.  The ability to find anything easily and I mean ANYTHING!

Q.  What’s your favorite book?
A.  Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

Q.  If you could add a class to Purdue’s curriculum, what would it be?
A.  HUMANITIES 101, Common Sense. It would be mandatory for all majors.

Q.  Who would like to meet and have dinner with?
A.  Socrates.

Q.  What do you do for fun?
A.  Sail, travel and work with animals.

Q.  Future Plans?
A.  I plan on getting my Ph.D. in operations research and then work in a consulting position in a big city; more like “New York City” big, not “Indianapolis” big.

If you would like to feature one of your student staff members please contact Teresa Brown.

 

 

Tippy update

USAIN Cow Tippy and Mouse

Tippy makes a new friend. Photo by Suzanne Ward.

Check USAIN Conference for more
information about the conference to be held at Purdue in May 2010.

Have a Tippy photo? Send it to Marianne Bracke. View other Tippy photos here.

 

Connect with Purdue Libraries

Connect with Purdue Libraries logo

Become our fan on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter: @PurdueLibraries

 

WHAT'S COOKING?

Pumpkin Bars
Visit the Libraries Intranet site for
this recipe Cindy Smith.

Submit your recipes to Teresa Brown.

 

Copy Deadline

Copy for the November 18 issue is due by November 16, 2009. Send to Teresa Brown.