Scholarly Communication Update

BY BETH McNEIL

PILLARS: Campuswide Information literacy, New Relationships to/with Disciplinary Faculty, Robust Research and Scholarship, Robust Local Collections

When I joined Purdue Libraries just over three years ago, one of my major responsibilities was to lead scholarly communication initiatives for the Libraries. A daunting task to be sure, but I am happy to report that we have made good progress with helping to educate and inform campus about issues relating to scholarly communication. Last week’s events relating to International Open Access Week provide just one example of the Libraries leadership and advocacy role in this area. We’ve participated each year in the national and international open access-related events, we held a daylong symposium on scholarly communication related issues in May 2008, Purdue’s Senate voted unanimously in support of the CIC Author Addendum in spring 2009, we participated in the CIC Scholarly Communication Environmental Scan Parts 1 and 2 this past year, not to mention the many presentations on related issues that so many of our librarians have made during the past few years, on topics such as our institutional repository e-Pubs, author rights, and copyright.

Since scholarly communication is such an integral part of the work we do in Purdue Libraries, I thought it appropriate to revisit it in this issue of INSIDE. So, just exactly what is scholarly communication? And, why is it so important?

Scholarly communication is the process by which faculty members, students, researchers, and academics conduct their research, collect the information from that research into a publishable format (print or electronic), have their research reviewed, and distribute it. — from http://scholarly.lib.purdue.edu/

The traditional system for disseminating scholarship (aka: scholarly communication) continues to undergo tremendous change. Data/data management issues and mandates for deposit of publications and data from federally-funded grants into open access repositories are just two recent issues that make the system even more complex. For libraries, traditional roles in the scholarly communication cycle have included organizing, indexing and making accessible or providing access to research publications. The work of many library staff members and library faculty is related to this part of the scholarly communication cycle: we select books and journals, we catalog them or provide access through our website, we borrow what we don’t buy so that our users can have what they need, we provide access to materials on reserve, we digitize our unique collections (within copyright restrictions, of course) so that others can have access to them, we teach our users how to find and use information resources and the list goes on and on. And, this is why I see scholarly communication in almost every pillar in our strategic plan.

Now, in addition to the traditional roles we’ve had, we are working with researchers much earlier in the scholarly communication cycle, assisting with data management; we are becoming publishers, through institutional repositories and new initiatives with Purdue Press; and finally, access to information has expanded 24/7, from anywhere a user has internet access, which means a much increased role for Purdue Libraries. We need to provide the best possible online access and environment for our users to find, retrieve and use the information they need.

PILLAR: Robust Research & Scholarship Program

Purdue University Libraries will host events for the fourth annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day at Purdue on Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

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 on November 17 — includes celebrations by more than 80 countries worldwide.

Purdue events leading up to and on GIS@Purdue are designed to illustrate how GIS can amplify the impact of research, as well as to demonstrate the applications of GIS research in our everyday lives.

Friday, October 29: 5:00 p.m.
Cache locations will be announced and posted on the GIS Day website http://www.lib.purdue.edu/gis/gisday/.
 
Saturday, October 30: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Geocaching 101: High-Tech Treasure Hunting for Families
John W. Hicks Undergraduate Library iLab (HIKS G959)

This family-friendly introductory session introduces novice geocachers to modern scavenger hunting with GPS devices which are used to locate hidden “treasures.” Session participants will learn about GIS technology and its diverse applications and have an opportunity to experiment. Participants are encouraged to bring their own GPS receivers if they like. Several libraries-owned devices will also be available for participants to use. Participants will learn how the GPS devices work, and coordinates for the 2010 GIS Day geocaching contest will be announced.

Monday, November 8:
Geocaches removed, logs tallied

Tuesday, November 9: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Workshop: Pictometry with/ Mark Ehle, Tippecanoe County GIS
Management and Economics Library Learn Lab (KRAN 250)

Tuesday, November 9: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Poster/Demo Session at Purdue Memorial Union (PMU 118)

Tuesday, November 9: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Q&A with Purdue Alumni at Oak Ridge National Labs
Stewart Center (STEW 318)

GIS Day Links
Purdue Libraries Home http://www.lib.purdue.edu
Materials Archive http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/gisday

For additional details and GIS sponsors go to: http://gisdaypurdue.org or contact Chris Miller at ccmiller@purdue.edu.

PILLAR: Robust Research & Scholarship Program

Purdue Libraries has presented the first Leadership in Open Access Award at Purdue to the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering for its support and exercise of the principles of open access.

James L. Mullins, dean of libraries, presented the award to Ragu Balakrishnan, head of ECE, on October 20, 2010 after a faculty panel discussion of "Publishing for Global Impact." The award ceremony came during one of several events of Open Access Week at Purdue, part of an international observance and awareness effort. 

The award recognizes the significant contributions of ECE Technical Reports to ePubs, Purdue Libraries’ open access repository. ECE Technical Reports are among the most downloaded materials from ePubs at more than 170,000 full text downloads.

"By fully embracing open access for these important research products, the School of ECE extends the impact of its research around the world," Mullins said. "By making the technical reports available through Purdue Libraries, the reports enter the network of scholarship as citable and durable research objects."

Open access refers to free availability on the Internet, permitting any user to read, download, print, search or link to the full texts of materials. Open access works are freely accessible but their use is still protected under U.S. copyright law.

During the panel Wednesday, faculty involved in founding open access journals or using Purdue Libraries' open access repositories discussed how their work developed and is progressing. Those experiences were framed as case studies for the progress and value of open access as a whole.  Case studies included:

• Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, presented by Peg Ertmer, College of Education and Michael Grant, Instructional Design and Technology, University of Memphis
• Journal of Problem Solving, presented by Zygmunt Pizlo, Department of Psychology
• Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education, presented by Johannes Strobel, School of Engineering Education
• Journal of Terrestrial Observation, presented by Chris Johanssen, LARS, and Gilbert Rochon, soon to be President of Tuskegee University.
• Joint Transportation Research Program, presented by Darcy Bullock, Director of JTRP and Professor of Civil Engineering.

 Two other events were featured during Open Access Week. Raym Crow, senior consultant for SPARC, spoke Monday about "Building Business Models for Campus-based Publishing." On Thursday, Scott Brandt, associate dean for research and professor of library science, spoke on “Opening Doors to Access Data.”

PILLAR: Guiding Principles

Since 2007 the Purdue Libraries has helped sponsor Purdue Solar Racing (PSR). This year’s sponsorship comes at a crucial time. “The Libraries donation will be used toward the expense of the molds used to construct the body of our new solar car design, Celeritas,” says Ted Pesyna, president, PSR.

The car is a result of a combination of dedication, teamwork and research. “Every detail of the car is done by students. It is a great example of multi-disciplinary cooperation involving students from the schools of engineering, management, and liberal arts. We operate PSR like a corporation conducting research, design, fabrication, testing, fundraising and advertising.” Cost associated with the construction and competition of Celeritas is expected to reach $75,000.

Celeritas will compete in the 2011 Shell Eco-Marathon as an urban concept car. Urban concept cars are required to look more like normal cars and compete on an efficiency level while being fully street-legal and capable of highway speeds. The new design represents revolutionary designs and cutting-edge technology.

Construction of Celeritas is just beginning and will continue through March. The car will then undergo a series of test runs in preparation for competition in the Shell-Eco Marathon to be held April 14-17, 2011, in Houston, Texas. Event coordinators are expecting at least 100 entries. PSR achieved success with its 2008 vehicle, PULSAR, setting new standards with its revolutionary design and outstanding performance, winning the Shell Eco-Marathon Solar Division in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Ted, a fifth year senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in management, is serving his second term as president of PSR. “On behalf of PSR I sincerely thank the Libraries for its sponsorship and for the excellent service you provide to students in the Libraries. Our team relies on the research tools and resources provided through the Libraries for the development and design of our car. Thank you.” Watch for updates on the progress of Celeritas and PSR.

PILLAR: Robust Research and Scholarship Program

Megan Sapp Nelson welcomed attendees at the September 23rd Research Coffee and Conversation. We broke up into three discussion groups to talk about:

• Where/how to publish information literacy and teaching articles
• How to scope an LIS solution to a disciplinary faculty problem (and perhaps develop collaboration)
• Practices in doing survey work

The group on survey practices discussed Survey Monkey and the University’s service to “consult” on statistical research (Statistical Consulting Service). Regarding the scholarship of IL or teaching, there was discussion that it would be helpful and appreciated to identify professional development related to conducting research, assessment and instructional effectiveness in this area. The group that talked about developing relationships with faculty discussed various successes in creating partnerships, difficulties in doing so and brainstormed about approaches to solve those difficulties.

It was brought up that a wiki or blog to capture the various conversations at the Coffee might be useful. Research Council is investigating the possibility. Stay tuned.

The Information Resources Council (IRC) has selected e-book vendor EBL for a patron driven acquisition (PDA) trial in spring 2011. In August, an ad hoc committee, made up of Sue Ward, Rebecca Richardson, Jane Yatcilla and Stewart Saunders was charged with recommending to IRC the selection of an e-book vendor for this year’s patron driven acquisition.  

The ad hoc committee considered two major vendors: EBL and eBrary. They looked at a dozen or more factors, e.g., pricing model, triggering function for a purchase, subject areas covered, selection of titles for inclusion, number of simultaneous users, perpetual access, printing, downloading, marc records, ILL, e-reserve, use of mobile devices, etc.  

During this trial e-books will be available in our OPAC. When patrons select them a certain number of times or for a certain set of activities they will be purchased. Outcomes of the trial will be addition of e-books to our collection, plus data that can be analyzed for future decision-making on PDA.

The pilot e-book project will start after YBP has integrated the EBL PDA option into its operations, anticipated to be after the first of the new year. For more information, please contact Suzanne Ward.

Dr. Cornell Bell Exhibit and Reception

A reception was held in the Purdue Libraries' Archives and Special Collections remembering the life of Dr. Cornell Bell. Bell, the former Business Opportunity Program director, helped enhance diversity at the Krannert School of Management. Highlights from the evening included the "Purdue's Bellwether of Diversity: The Life & Legacy of Dr. Cornell Bell" exhibit with comments from Roland Parrish, Dr, Sonya Winslett and Shauna Borger, curator of the exhibit

Enjoying the exhibit, from left, are: Purdue Board of trustee member Mamon M. Powers Jr., Dr. Sonya Winslett, former student and later Dr. Bell's caretaker, Darren Henry, Krannert School of Management director of Diversity Initiatives, Cliff Swanlund, longtime Libraries donor and supporter, and Darren Trimble, current student in the Business Opportunity Program. The exhibit will be on display in the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center through December 22, 2010.

Dr. Bell's legacy lives on. Several former students of Dr. Cornell Bell gathered to celebrate his life and legacy at a reception.

PILLAR: Campuswide Information Literacy

Abu Zafar Shahriar, a graduate assistant in the MEL Library correctly answered all of round one questions. He is now in the running to win the grand prize along with all the other entries. The person answering the most total questions from all three rounds will receive a gift basket featuring an assortment of related items.

Round one questions and answers:

1. What did Amir call his father? — Baba
2. What type of fruit did Amir throw at Hassan? — Pomegranate
3. What is Hassan’s first spoken word? — Amir
4. What gift does Amir receive from Assef for his thirteenth birthday? — The biography of Adolf Hitler

Round two questions:

1. What does Amir put under Hassan’s mattress to frame him?
2. According to Baba, all sins are a variation of what one and only sin?
3. At what age does Amir flee Afghanistan with his father?
4. Why do Baba and Amir leave Kabul?

Answer as many questions as you can and submit the questions along with your answers by 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 8 to tmabrown@purdu.edu.

For more information on the Common Reading initiative, check out: http://www.purdue.edu/sats/
commonreading/index.html.