Hicks Learning and Discovery Commons Committee

BY BETH McNEIL

Late last semester, a campus-wide committee was appointed by Dean James L. Mullins to investigate transforming the Hicks Undergraduate Library into the Hicks Learning and Discovery Commons. The committee’s primary tasks will include researching successful learning commons at other campuses, identifying possible collaborations at Purdue, and making recommendations to make the existing Hicks space a more interdisciplinary, collaborative learning and discovery space for Purdue students.

Members of the committee represent various academic departments at Purdue, the Center for Instructional Excellence, the Writing Lab, the Center for Career Opportunities, ITaP, and the Libraries. Paul Bracke, Tomalee Doan, Sharon Weiner, Jane Yatcilla, and I serve as representatives from the Libraries. 
One of the first tasks of the committee was to discuss some learning commons web sites, including:

• NC State Learning Commons: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfYqubM5QmI
• IU Bloomington: www.libraries.iub.edu/index.php?pageId=310
• Georgia State: www.library.gsu.edu/learningcommons
• Ohio University: www.library.ohiou.edu/serv/lc
• University of Connecticut: http://learningcommons.uconn.edu

The committee’s primary goals are to do short-term research and planning, and to help secure campus buy-in for possible changes to the Hicks space, with a report to Dean Mullins by early May 2010. The report will address re-purposing the space to provide the best learning environment for Purdue students, and will include scenarios for changes at various budget levels and with space considerations in mind (for example, if we were able to move HKRP to another location, what possibilities could that add to the overall learning space).

For any questions about this committee or its work, contact me at memcneil@purdue.edu.

One Book Higher - 2010

On April 19, 2010, the Libraries will once again host One Book Higher in conjunction with the annual staff recognition/awards luncheon. We will have a poster session before the lunch with the One Book Higher (OBH) awards presentation following lunch.  

One Book Higher provides an opportunity to share information and best practices across the Libraries so we can all benefit from the work each of us has done since our last OBH event. A list of OBH posters from the 2007 and 2009 One Book Higher events is available on the intranet: http://intranet.lib.purdue.edu/display/HOME/One+Book+Higher+Information.

This year’s One Book Higher coordinating committee is Lu Ann Gooden, Ann O’Donnell, Connie Richards, Linda Rose, and Dawn Stahura. More information will be forthcoming from the coordinating committee. In the meantime, please think about participating and what you might contribute and watch for details from the committee. 

Thank you in advance for your participation.

The Hicks Undergraduate Library is hosting the C-SPAN exhibit “American Presidents: Life Portraits” through February 21, 2010. This exhibit has been traveling across the United States since its debut in 1999 and is sponsored by C-SPAN and the White House Historical Association.

The exhibit consists of 22 double-sided modules featuring oil portraits of every American president, as well as photographs, newspaper front pages, and historic audio recordings for many of our country’s leaders. The artist, Chas Fagan, was commissioned by C-SPAN to create the portrait series, and used images from the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the White House to construct the portraits. Fagan is also the artist who sculpted the Neil Armstrong statue in front of Armstrong Hall at Purdue’s campus.

Purdue is also home to the C-SPAN Archives, housed in Purdue Research Park. Purdue Libraries will be partnering with the C-SPAN Archives to host a reception for this exhibit on February 9th, and invitations to all Libraries staff will be forthcoming.

Libraries staff are encouraged to visit and view the exhibit, which is located on the main floor of UGRL. Special thanks to Auxiliary Services and the crew from C-SPAN who prepared the space and constructed the exhibit.

Graduate student, Richard Agbelie Bismark checks out President Barack Obama's display.

Libraries Administrative/Professional Staff Recognized for Service

20 Years
Brad Heiss, AUX
Amy Winks, DPIA

15 Years
Lisa Purvis, DPIA

10 Years
Monica Kirkwood, LIFE
Stephan Miller, DPIA

The honorees will be recognized at a luncheon hosted by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost on Thursday, January 23, 2010. Congratulations and thank you.

Libraries Welcome New Staff

Bryan Briones
Libraries Data Coordinator & Assistant to the Dean

Earlier this year, I started work as the Libraries Data Coordinator and Assistant to the Dean and I am absolutely honored to be selected for this position. I look forward to the challenges, learning experience, camaraderie, and rewards of working with the Library’s administrative staff and the Libraries overall.

Upon graduating from San Diego State University in 1995 with a BS in Civil Engineering, I immediately reported to active duty in the U.S. Navy. In the twelve years I proudly served in the armed forces, I worked in many administrative, operational, and supervisory assignments, as well as enjoyed the travel opportunities. Later in my Navy career, I determined it was time to pursue a different path; so I decided on a career in libraries. My love of books, the library environment, and helping information seekers meet their information needs influenced my decision to choose that field. After leaving active duty, I attended the University of South Carolina’s Library & Information Science program with emphasis in digital libraries and preservation. While I was there I worked in the university’s library and gained some experience in an academic library setting. I received a Masters in Library & Information Science in 2009.

I grew up in warm, sunny Southern California and I think I am acclimating pretty well to Indiana's winter weather. Outside of my professional life, I am an avid runner and love recreational cycling and mountain biking. My idea of a good running workout is to get up bright and early, at 6:00 a.m., and “pound pavement” for long distances—weather permitting, of course. My favorite zero- to low-impact activities include digital photography and imaging (just an amateur who wants to improve his skills), reading, traveling, viewing art exhibits, and enjoying a movie. I am happily married to my lovely wife, Paula, a native of Washington State.

My office is located in the Stewart Center, Room 272. I may be reached at 494-2902 or bbriones@purdue.edu.

JoAnne Carow
University Copyright Office/Secretary

I began work here on November 30, 2009. It’s great to be back on Purdue’s campus (I graduated from the Krannert School in 1971). In between, I have lived and worked in Ohio, New York, Kansas, Florida and Michigan.

My three wonderful daughters are in their mid-thirties and have given me eight grandchildren ranging in age from 20 months to six and a half. Grandma Jo likes to sew so it’s a good thing seven of them are girls. In my spare time I am writing a positive-thinking, self-development skill series for children and also working on a book titled, Frantic Families, Getting Yours Back on Track.

Generally I work 8:00 a.m. to noon, providing clerical and administrative support for Donna Ferullo on a part-time basis. My office is located in STEW 264 and I may be reached at 496-3864 or jcarow@purdue.edu.

New e-Books

Beginning this month, we will have access to e-books Wiley-Blackwell and Elsevier due to our participation this year in the CIC large scale acquisition program. The Elsevier purchase includes approximately 1,500 books from 2008-2010 and the Wiley-Blackwell deal covers 2008 and 2009 titles. CIC is working with Wiley on discounted pricing for 2010 titles, as well.        

CIC acquired these titles as part of the large-scale acquisition program, where CIC libraries contribute to a central pool of funds and CIC staff work with vendors to negotiate deals which would not be likely if libraries were negotiating individually. This is Purdue’s first year to participate in the CIC program. More information about the program is available in the CLI eNews at http://info.cic.net/eNews/CLI/  

Collection Management unit moves and consolidates in former Special Collections area

As part of the Libraries organizational structure changes late last spring, a new unit, Collection Management, was formed, bringing together collection management, licensing, and digital collections into one unit. Sue Ward is head of the unit, and members are Mark Newton, Digital Collections Librarian, and Rebecca Richardson, in her new role as Digital Resources Librarian. Now, Collection Management faculty and staff are located in the same area, in the former Archives and Special Collections offices. Sue Ward is located in STEW 279B, and Mark Newton and Rebecca Richardson are located in STEW 278C.

In September 2007 the catalog began to reflect a change that let users easily request a book through interlibrary loan (ILL) when Purdue’s copy was checked out. The initial rationale for making this change was that ILL could provide these items more quickly than they could be obtained by using the recall function. In actuality, the average ILL turnaround time has been very similar to the Recall turnaround time.

In late spring 2009, members of Circulation Services Steering Committee (CSSC) gathered feedback from their constituents in the various library divisions, which indicated that patrons were still confused by this process, even after changes were made to the catalog attempting to explain the advantages/disadvantages of recalling vs. ILL. Additionally, many patrons indicated that they would prefer to receive Purdue’s copy of an item so that they would receive a longer loan period than allowed for most ILL material.

In July 2009 the CSSC recommended to the Planning and Operations Committee (POC) that we revert back to allowing patron-initiated recalls for items that are checked out. Additionally, CSSC recommended that ILL continue to process requests for items checked out, but that the link to ILL be replaced with the Recall this Item link. The patron would still have the option of obtaining the checked out material through ILL by placing an ILL request from the ILL web page. POC approved the recommendations from CSSC, and as of this past weekend the change is now in place.

Check http://www.lib.purdue.edu/inside/2010/INSIDERetroRecall.pdf to view the changes.

If you have any questions about this change, please contact a member of CSSC: Laurie Sadler, chair; Amy Winks; Jill Begley, Cheryl Oliver, Dacia Weisler, and Sandy Galloway.

Donate Items to Boilers Care-and-Share Program at MEL and UGRL

The Boilers Care-and-Share program is collecting non-food items to be donated to Food Finders Food Bank as part of the “Walk the Talk” series of events honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. A list of suggested items to donate is available at http://www.purdue.edu/mlk2009/care_share.html.

MEL and UGRL both have drop boxes near their entrances for donations. Donation boxes are also in the lobby of Stewart Center near the HSSE Library.

For more information on the program, visit http://www.purdue.edu/mlk2009. The collection boxes will be available through January 14, 2009.

Some things you must know:

• Your body can start freezing without you even noticing.
• You need to keep skin exposure to a minimum (time and amount exposed).
• Never underestimate the power of cold.
• When reviving frozen fingers/body parts NEVER put under hot water, cold to luke warm is all you should use. Hot can burn before sensation returns.

Some things you should know:

• Drinking plenty of fluids is even more important now than in summer. Once the body starts to dehydrate it does not notice the cold but will still suffer from the cold.
• Two thin layers of socks will be warmer than one thick pair.
• Dress so all body parts have free movement – toes are warmer when they have the freedom to wiggle.
• If you need to go outside, put on layers of clothing rather than one big coat.
• Be careful of over doing it. Shortness of breath from the cold could mask shortness of breath from a health problem.
• If you start to sweat, slow down gradually. Don’t let the sweat freeze or soak your clothing; this will cause MAJOR problems later.

Some things that are helpful:

• Be generous with the hand lotion on all body parts. Dry skin is more likely to peel/split/crack.
• Don’t lick the metal flag pole unless your friend has a glass of warm water handy.
• Watch your pets. The same lip balm that you use can be used on the pads of their feet or bellies. Be sure to use lip balm in case they lick it off.

Myth – I can share and post recipes.

Truth:  Elements of recipes are protected under the copyright law. The directions of how to make the item and any history of how the recipe was created are protected. However, the list of ingredients is not protected. Sharing recipes among family and friends for personal use is allowed under the copyright law but posting them on non-restricted web sites or compiling them into a cookbook is not allowed without permission from the copyright owner.

PRINT SMARTER

The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year.

1. Make it a habit to print on both sides or to use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts.
2. Make it a policy to buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton.
3. Recycle toner and ink cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge “keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills and conserves about a half gallon of oil.”

Go paperless when possible.

1. Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? Request to be removed from mailing lists for any unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, and junk mail. Visit www.newdream.org/junkmail for more information.
2. Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. They’re easier to update that way too.

Source: www.sierraclub.org