Libraries Staff Lend a Hand in Providing Access to Haiti Geographical Data

When the earthquakes struck Haiti in mid-January, people all over campus rushed to help. Students raised money. Researchers studied the geological information to help predict aftershocks and the potential for more earthquakes. Haiti Map Port au Prince

And right here in the Libraries, staff in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Library played a vital role by digitizing what could be some of the last remaining topographical maps of the country, giving researchers all over the world access to Haiti’s geographical data.

Eric Calais, a professor of geophysics at Purdue University and leader of a research team that is in Haiti now using GPS to measure ground deformation, contacted the EAS library following the earthquake to see if staff could scan approximately 80 topographical maps of Haiti that he had brought with him from his last visit to the country. The institute in Haiti that housed the maps, and many of the staff who worked there, were lost in the earthquake.

Claire Alexander and Terry Wade received the stack of 80 maps in the EAS Library on January 21st, and within two days had scanned them all so that Calais’ research team could take the print maps back with them on their return research trip to Haiti.

Haiti GIS Map

The digitized maps were then posted online, and Chris Miller, assistant professor of library science and GIS librarian, sent out calls for volunteers to the GIS community to geo-reference the maps. Geo-referencing is a process by which unreferenced images are matched to existing geospatial data in order to make them explicitly spatial and therefore more usable for researchers.

GIS technicians on Purdue’s campus worked with GIS hobbyists and people from across the country to complete the geo-referencing, and the maps are now available online at http://gis.lib.purdue.edu/haiti/.

"It's a testament to the Libraries' reputation and role on campus that Calais — in the middle of a mad dash back to Haiti — not only thought of us, but brought us a project whose execution allowed us to contribute to what was already a remarkable response from the greater, worldwide geospatial community,” says Chris.  “I think we're all already proud of our ability to support research on campus, but usually we’re not on this kind of deadline.”

For more information on the Purdue research team in Haiti, visit the researchers’ blog at http://haitigps.wordpress.com/.

 

Purdue University Press Advisory Board Established

The Management Advisory Board for Purdue University Press met for the first time on February 5, 2010. Chaired by Dean Mullins, the Board has been created to provide strategic guidance as the Press develops its new identity as an integral part of the Libraries and an innovator in the production of digital scholarship. As well as top university administrators, the Board includes a number of nationally-known outside experts in scholarly communication. The Board will meet twice a year.

Purdue Press Advisory Board 2010

(L-R) Dr. Raym Crow, Consultant, Chain Bridge Group / Senior Advisor, SPARC; Dr. Jon Story, Associate Dean, Graduate School; Dr. Richard Buckius, VP for Research; Kate Wittenberg, Senior Advisor, Ithaka; Dr. Angelica Duran, English (Chair, Editorial Board, 2010 – 2013); Dr. Alan M. Beck, Veterinary Medicine (Chair, Editorial Board, 2007 – 2010); Bryan Shaffer, Production Manager, Purdue UP; Charles Watkinson, Director, Purdue UP; Donna L. Ferullo, J.D., Director, University Copyright Office; Dr. James L. Mullins, Dean of Libraries; Karen Hawkins, Director, Product Management, IEEE; Dr. Janet Rabinowitch, Director, Indiana UP; Dr. William G. (Gerry) McCartney, VP for Information Technology and CIO; Dr. Irwin (Bud) Weiser, Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; James S. Almond, Senior VP for Business Services.

Not pictured: Dr. Cliff Lynch, Executive Director, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI);  Lee Dirks, Director, Education and Scholarly Communication, Microsoft Research; Dr. Mark J. T. Smith, Dean of the Graduate School.

 

Intranet Oversight Committee Seeking Input

The Intranet Oversight Committee invites you to participate in a focus group to help us gather user information as we work toward improving the organization and usefulness of the intranet.  During a focus group people will be asked questions about the Libraries intranet, and encouraged to give honest answers about their thoughts and feelings. Focus groups will be tape recorded, but everybody’s comments will be kept anonymous and used only for the purpose of improving intranet usability. We are looking for your honest input to help us revamp the intranet!

Focus groups will be conducted at the following times:

Wednesday, February 10th, 1:30—2:30 p.m. in the iLab
Monday, February 15th, 2:00—3:00 p.m. in the iLab
Wednesday, February 17th, 9:00--10:00 a.m. in the iLab
Thursday, February 25th, 9:00—10:00 a.m. in the iLab

If you wish to participate, please email Jane Yatcilla with the session you’d most like to attend. An email will be sent back for verification.

Focus groups will not be training sessions. However, your participation in a focus group can help shape future training sessions!

INTRANET USERS OF ALL LEVELS ARE INVITED, FROM ABSOLUTE BEGINNER TO POWER USER!

Members of the Intranet Oversight Committee are Elaine Bahler, Lisa Purvis, Roger Strater, and Jane Yatcilla, chair.

 

Winter in Happy Hollow Park

Winter in Happy Hollow Park

Photo by Patrick Whalen, HSSE

 

Green Tambourine

BY CLAIRE ALEXANDER

Claire AlexanderWill you be caught “greenhanded?” Will you be carrying your mug when you find the free coffee/cocoa?

By now you have probably heard of Recyclemania, the ten-week competition among colleges to see which can waste least and recycle most per capita. It began January 17 and will continue until March 27, 2010. This is Purdue’s first year to participate, though the event has been going on since 2001 when it was between only Ohio University and Miami University of Ohio. In the intervening nine years, participation has increased from the two schools to today’s 500+ (it was 599 last time I checked) schools.

Although there are over 500 colleges and universities participating, Purdue is most closely watching their scores in comparison to Notre Dame and Ohio State University, then other selected Indiana and Big Ten schools. You can track all progress at http://recyclemaniacs.org/Results.aspx and targeted progress at http://www.purdue.edu/buildings_grounds/recyclemania/index.htm. The targeted charts list top two, bottom two, Purdue, and five other targeted schools.

If you check the Recyclemania web site, you will see that Purdue has a long way to go. The first week’s Grand Champion Division accounting placed Boilermakers at 163 out of 179 listed, with a  less than 10% Cumulative Recycling Rate. According to the web site, “this category combines trash and core recyclable materials to determine a school's recycling rate as a percentage of its overall waste generation. Successful colleges and universities in this category demonstrate their achievement in both source reduction and recycling.” Check the web sites to see other categories, definitions, and rankings.

The first two weeks reported are trial weeks; only the last eight weeks count toward the competition. So Purdue has time to improve, and library students and staff can help. All can be conscious of whether or not an item is recyclable and get it to the recycle bin if it is. All can reduce the total waste (trash and recycling) by using less. Start using reusable mugs instead of paper cups for coffee—check the events online to see when/where free coffee or cocoa is being offered to those with their own mugs. Anyone can carry lunch in a reusable bag with a cloth napkin to reduce waste or choose eateries that serve on dishes instead of in disposable containers.

The first place in per capita recycling at the first week is almost 10 lbs per person. Purdue shows just under half a pound per person. Staff can give a big boost by spring cleaning their offices a little early and recycling. I have a pile of ancient papers that can be contributed to the nearest recycle bin, and I’d guess you do too.

You might even get caught “greenhanded.” According to Carmen Martin, Department of Grounds Recycling Intern, prizes are awarded to those “caught” using a reusable cup or recycling items, prizes that range from $1.00 off at various eateries to $10.00 off at Captain Gyros. There is even a coupon for “the deal” at Hotbox, worth $15.99. About 100 prizes are given out each week.

Go Boilers!

 

C-SPAN Exhibit Contributes to Classroom Assignment

Juniors from Saint Theodore Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, Indiana came to campus as part of their U.S. History class to view and report on the C-SPAN American Presidents exhibit in the Undergraduate Library. Meaghan Neman, teacher, encouraged students to study the paintings, read the bios and articles that accompanied each display, find something that was new to them, and look for some common characteristics that each man shared. "This is a great visual opportunity for our students to explore the lives of these men, visit Purdue, and experience an academic library," said Neman.

CSPAN Presidents Exhibit High School Class

For more about this exhibit visit http://www.americanpresidents.org/.

contents
  • Purdue Press Advisory Board
  • Intranet Oversight Committee Seeking Input
  • Winter in Happy Hollow Park
  • Green Tambourine
  • Off the Shelf
  • Announcements & Events
  • Copyright Myth #7
  • Libraries Staff A-Z
  • Tippy Update
  • Connect with Purdue Libraries
  • What's Cooking?

 

Off the shelf

Continuing Vacancy

  • Libraries Human Resources Administrator (University Posting #0901316)

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

 

Announcements & EVENTS

C-SPAN's "American Presidents: Life Portraits" A traveling exhibit
January 4- February 22, 2010
Hicks Undergraduate Library

Retirement Reception
for Tom Haworth

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
East & West Faculty Lounges
PMU
RSVP to foster2@purdue.edu
by February 17, 2010

All-Staff Meetings
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
HIKS B848
or
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
HIKS B848

 

copyright Myth #7
by Donna Ferullo

Myth #7 – No one will catch me if I infringe on someone’s work and even if they do, it’s not a big deal.

Truth:  In the digital age, there are always footprints that can be tracked. The music industry and the motion picture industry protect the copyright in their works quite vigorously. The judge in an infringement case can fine the infringer anywhere from $200 to $150,000 per infringement. The judge in a recent Massachusetts case fined a student $32,000 per song that he had downloaded and shared with friends.

 

Libraries staff a - z

Angie EwingANGIE EWING
Mathematical Sciences Library
Circulation/Reserves & Student Supervisor

Q.  What do you enjoy most about your job and why?
A.  Jane and Jim and all my students! I work in the best library on campus…greatest boss and co-worker!  I also have the most wonderful student workers. The Math faculty, staff, and grad students that I get to know by working at the circulation desk are great folks. I have made a lot of lasting friendship here. 

Q.  How long have you worked in the Libraries and at Purdue?
A.  19 years in May.

Q.  What is one unforgettable experience that has happened to you or your coworkers while working in the library? 
A.  The day Mary Sego and I went to Dean Mobley and got the proposal for the “PULSE” award approved! Everyone, staff, AP, and faculty, worked together to make the award such a success through fund raising and donations. I don’t think I can remember a time when we have had so much fun, teamwork, and camaraderie throughout the Libraries!  Also, Richard Funkhouser, he is an unforgettable experience! 

Q.  What’s your favorite book, Web site, movie, or database?
A.  Anything by Jonathan Kellerman

Q.  Coffee, tea, water, or soft drink?
A.  Tea of any kind!

Q.  What do you like to do for fun?
A.  Take Shayela to pageants and her dance things! Just having her is so much fun! Hanging out with all my friends! Slumber parties, Pepe’s and Spurlock’s…oh my!  I also enjoy helping out with the “Relay for Life” and some other charity events.

Q.  Feel free to include any information about yourself that you would like to share with the staff?
A.  I love mint Meltaways, especially the green ones! Please send them directly to me! I guess I have to mention Tom; we will be married for 25 years on July 4, and my beautiful, spirited, four-year-old daughter Shayela. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

 

Tippy update

USAIN Cow Tippy at ALA

Tippy and the robot at the ALA Conference.The robot asked to wear Marianne's scarf. Photo by Marianne Bracke.

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?

Apple Crisp
Visit the Libraries Intranet site for
this recipe.

Submit your recipes to Teresa Brown.

 

Copy Deadline

Copy for the February 24 issue is due by February 22, 2010. Send to Teresa Brown.