Advancement of the Libraries and Press

BY SANDY HOWARTH

PILLAR: Infrastructure

Since I am still relatively new here in the Libraries and Purdue University Press I often introduce myself to our alumni and donors with my title, Director of Advancement. And, as you can imagine I am often asked “What is advancement?” So, this got me to thinking that maybe many of you also wonder…what is advancement? In the next few paragraphs, I hope to shed some light on the advancement process and how you actually help!

To me, advancement has many facets. However, in its simplest form, advancement is sharing with our alumni, donors and friends the incredible work the staff and faculty of the Libraries and the Press are engaged in; specifically in the areas of scholarly communication, information literacy, various digital initiatives and the faculty research that is being conducted within the Libraries and the Press. My job (along with the Advancement and Marketing team) entails learning about these initiatives and sharing this information with our alumni, friends, corporations and foundations in order to identify potential areas of interests that can ultimately lead to financial support. And, with the state appropriations dwindling on an annual basis the funds raised through the advancement process helps our bottom line by annually providing resources that support undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, the construction of new facilities (or renovations like the Roland G. Parrish Library of Management and Economics) and faculty research.

The other question that is also posed to me on a regular basis is “Oh I could never do your job; how do you ask people for money?” First let me assure you that I am not embarrassed to call myself a fundraiser. Quite the contrary. I am proud of the work I do for Purdue and consider it my job to encourage the generosity of our alumni and friends who have shown an interest in giving. By listening to them, hearing the excitement in their voices, seeing the glimmer in their eyes as they recall and share stories about their time at Purdue, is how I begin to learn about them and their potential philanthropic interests. It is through these conversations that we have raised the resources for numerous scholarships awarded to Purdue students, provided funds supporting our faculty and promoting their globally impactful research and enhanced our libraries providing the most up-to-date learning facilities…all because of the support received from our faithful alumni and friends of the Libraries.

Discovering the connection between a donor’s philanthropic interests, what they are passionate about and matching their interests to areas that the Libraries need support is like solving a 1,000 piece puzzle! The puzzle of finding initiatives where we can encourage support is fun and exciting to me!

So, how can I ask people for money? Well, once I look at the whole picture and see where their interests lie, fit those with the needs of the Libraries, cultivate and build the relationship, asking for the gift is somewhat easy and expected. Now, don’t get me wrong, this often takes a long time and numerous conversations before I can make the ask for a major gift…and, sometimes people do turn me down. However, more often than not (and if I have done my job well) they see the need, it matches up with their philanthropic goals and they agree to provide a major gift of support.

In the end, advancement is always about the donor, insuring that they are happy with their decision to give and that the gift was utilized in the manner it was intended. That is my ultimate goal, to stay focused on the donor, their passion and interests while generating the funds supporting the Libraries financial needs.

So, what does all of this have to do with you? Well, that’s easy…YOU represent the Libraries. As a faculty or staff representative you come in to contact with our alumni and friends. In this manner you are also directors of advancement. In this capacity, here are three things you can do to assist in the advancement process:

1. Share with me what is new either in your library or with your research.
2. Help me keep our alumni database up-to-date. If you learn about a new address, email or phone number, please share this with me so I can update our records.
3. Continue to do good work!

Times are tight financially for all of us right now. So, it is important that we are good stewards of the gifts we receive to encourage future support. I want to thank each of you for all you have done and continue to do in making Purdue Libraries and the Press a stellar advancement opportunity for the University.

Libraries celebrates research and scholarship

PILLAR: Learning

Libraries Research Council was host, once again, to Celebrating Research & Scholarship. This annual event provides a fast, fun opportunity for Libraries faculty and AP staff to share ongoing or recent research with others. Each person was required to convey their information in five minutes and five PowerPoint slides to sum-up a project’s objectives, methods and outcomes. 

This year, attendees were privy to 17 projects, which ranged from information literacy, to information organization/access, to data management.

After the presentations, attendees were allotted time, where they were encouraged to find possible collaborators for future research, or to stimulate new ideas for other scholarship or research.

PILLAR: Learning

The end of the semester is almost here and Purdue Libraries will be extending hours in three libraries. The Engineering (ENGR) and Hicks Undergraduate (HIKS) Libraries will be open 24-hours beginning December 4. Humanities, Social Sciences and Education (HSSE) will extend hours during finals week, beginning December 11.

As in the past, staff are needed to help cover some of the extended hours. No reference experience is required. Training in circulation, building and emergency procedures, and food and drink policies will be provided if necessary. Typically, shifts are scheduled to allow for maximum coverage. If possible, a regular staff member will be present for each shift.

We hope to rearrange schedules as much as possible to allow wide participation by staff and faculty. A combination of overtime and flex scheduling is possible, consistent with the pay period and supervisor’s permission. Biweekly staff and monthly non-exempt staff members who work hours in excess of 40 in a workweek (Monday through Sunday) will be paid time-and-a-half. No employee may work more than 16 hours (regular and overtime) in a 24-hour period. The maximum overtime an employee may work in any workweek is 20 hours. Monthly exempt staff and faculty could adjust their schedules as appropriate.

If you are interested in participating or have questions, please send an email by Friday, November 18 to Amanda Gill for ENGR or RaeLynn Boes for UGRL.

All other libraries will remain open regular hours. Click here for hours of all Libraries.

A memorable 20 year journey: Pat Wilson retires

PILLAR: Infrastructure

Pat Wilson began her Purdue career working in the basement of Stewart Center as a data entry clerk for the Purdue Alumni Association (PAA) on January 2, 1991. While working at PAA she was responsible for a variety of duties including serving as a receptionist and secretary for membership and PAA events. In 2001 she moved to the University President’s Council where she assisted in the planning and coordinating of university-wide events hosted by Presidents Beering and Jischke. In 2002 she moved to the Libraries as secretary to the Development Officer, Judy Schumaker and in 2007 was promoted to Development Assistant/Officer Manger.

Wilson's time at Purdue has been memorable but one of her favorite was meeting Neil Armstrong and getting his autograph for her grandson. Another was attending a space shuttle launch in Florida with a group of alumni and having the launch cancelled just hours before the flight because of mechanical problems. While working for the Libraries her most favorite duty has been planning for and getting to know the Dean’s Advisory Council as well as establishing relationships with supporters of Purdue and Libraries. She has also enjoyed meeting famous authors through the Distinguished Lecture Series, helping host events for Special Collections and Archives and especially helping with the many staff and student recognitions.

Retirement does not bring any specific plans for Wilson and her husband Gary. She’s hoping to work on some of those odd jobs around the house and just treasuring the freedom to go and do whatever they want whenever they want to. Of course, some of those plans include spending more time with their three daughter’s families (seven grandchildren) and their many long-time friends.

“I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at Purdue and especially with such great people. I’ve witnessed some pretty amazing things on campus in the last 20 years and I’ve worked with and met some pretty awesome people — alumni, authors, donors and especially coworkers. Thank you everyone for your kindness, support and friendships. Purdue and Libraries will always hold a special place in my heart. I don’t like saying good-by so I’ll just say ‘I’ll see you around’ and thank you.”

Libraries Staff A-Z: Megan Sapp Nelson

MEGAN SAPP NELSON
Associate Professor of Library Science
Engineering and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Libraries

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job and why?
A. I enjoy the opportunity to be creative, to come up with ideas that I haven’t tried before and to try them out. I find that really fulfilling.

Q. How long have you worked in the Libraries and at Purdue?
A. I’ve worked at Purdue West Lafayette for seven years. One year prior to that, I worked at Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne (IPFW).

Q. What’s your favorite book, website, movie or database?
A. My favorite movie is “The Dish,” a comedy about a radio telescope that captured the pictures from the moon walk. My favorite websites are longform.org (the best of long form journalism) and radiolab.org, the podcast of my favorite radio show.

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

Q. What do you like to do for fun?
A. I like to ride my bicycle, organize things, sing in church choir and read.

Q. Feel free to include any information about yourself that you would like to share with the staff?
A. My office is now located in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) and I am continuing to working with engineering as well.

Celebrating 125 years of Purdue Bands

Archives and Special Collection was the setting for a reception featuring its current exhibit, “Heartbeat of the University: 125 Years of Purdue Bands” and highlighting the book of the same title published by the Purdue University Press. Working in collaboration with the Purdue Bands attendees were able to view rare historical photographs, documents and memorabilia documenting the Bands 125-year history.

Guest speakers for the evening included Dean of Libraries, Jim Mullins; Purdue Press Production and Marketing Manager, Bryan Shaffer; Director of University Bands, Jay Gephart; author John Norberg; and special guest speaker Director of Bands Emeritus, Al G. Wright.

In the photo Norberg, author of “Heartbeat of the University: 125 Years of Purdue Bands,” autographs copies the book for guests. Wright and Gephart also were available for autographs.

The exhibit will remain on display until December 22.