Core Curriculum Planning and Information Literacy

BY SHARON WEINER

PILLAR: Campuswide Information Literacy

Information Literacy and Problem-Solving Ability are competencies that members of the University’s Core Curriculum Committee believe are critical for Purdue students’ success. The Committee is not alone in this opinion: many professional organizations as well as those that accredit colleges and universities and their programs include these “21st century skills” as essential. Many employers report that new college graduates entering the workforce as well as current employees lack these skills, but state that they are essential for job success.

Information literacy is the ability to recognize the extent and nature of information needed; then to locate, evaluate and effectively use that information. Problem-solving is the process of designing, evaluating and implementing a strategy to answer questions or achieve a desired goal.

These skills are closely related and contribute to student success. Finding and using quality information is essential in effective problem-solving. There is so much information available to us that finding high quality, credible information can be very challenging. Using information that is outdated, poor quality, or biased can result in solutions that fail or in decisions that are wrong.

The Core Curriculum Committee will propose two levels of core competencies. The “foundational” competencies are common to all disciplines; the “embedded” competencies are tailored to individual disciplines. Information literacy/problem-solving ability is a competency in both categories. This means that all Purdue undergraduates would be required to take courses that include both levels of this competency as outcomes. One of the premises of the Core Curriculum is that it won’t require students to take additional courses to fulfill the competency requirements. This is because many of the programs at Purdue have many required courses.

What does this mean for the Libraries? We know that the best way to learn information literacy and problem-solving is in a context. For students, that means within disciplinary courses. We will need to be aware of the courses that are designated as meeting the information literacy/problem-solving requirement. Liaison librarians can work with the instructors of those courses to collaborate in designing and assessing learning activities that will ensure that students have those competencies.

The Core Curriculum Committee will submit a proposal to the Educational Policy Committee (EPC) of the University Senate to request a vote on October 24. The EPC Chair will present the proposal to the University Senate on November 21. The Senate will vote on January 23.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sharon Weiner (sweiner@purdue.edu).

PILLAR: Campuswide Information Literacy

We are making substantial progress toward our strategic goal of information literacy. This summer two new faculty members, Clarence Maybee and Alaina Morales, joined the Libraries, in direct support of the Purdue Libraries strategic goal of Information literacy. Both are members of the new Learning Council, which I have the privilege to chair in my role as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Do you wonder how these two positions relate to the work of our liaison librarians and to Sharon Weiner’s role as the Booker Chair? Liaison librarians continue to teach and impart information literacy concepts as they provide instruction to their liaison areas, but in addition to that:

Clarence Maybee, assistant professor and the Libraries’ first Information Literacy Specialist, joined the Libraries in early September in this very important role. Maybee provides leadership for the Libraries Information Literacy Program, and is working to integrate information literacy in courses, programs, and curricula. He collaborates with campus partners to support information literacy initiatives and will lead our efforts to assess library-based instructional programs. He will assess and provide professional development for Libraries faculty and staff needs in theory, pedagogy and practice related to information literacy. Maybee is a member of Academic Affairs and reports to me.

Alaina Morales, Visiting Assistant Professor and Virtual User Experience Specialist, came to Purdue in early July. Morales is a member of Digital Programs and Information Access and reports to Paul Bracke. Morales’ work is focused on enhancing our information literacy programs through the use of technology. She is currently working on an improved web presence about information literacy, partnering with Physical Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PSET) in the creation of tutorials, developing standards for LibGuides and working on the implementation of Primo (our new search tool).

Sharon Weiner collaborates with faculty and administrators in the Library and the University to conceptualize and communicate a vision for IL at Purdue and represents Purdue for the purpose of developing information literacy collaborations and projects with regional, national and international education, business, government and non-profit organizations. She serves as a campus, as well as a national and international resource on programs and trends in information literacy. Weiner participates in interdisciplinary research and dialogue with regard to information literacy and creates and disseminates new knowledge about information literacy. She also organizes relevant professional institutes and continuing education programs.

These positions are complementary, and will result in much leadership, innovation and collaboration in information literacy at Purdue and beyond.

Open Access Events

PILLAR: Robust Research & Scholarship Program

International Open Access Week, October 24-30

Open Access Week is a global, annual event that promotes open access in scientific publishing and research. It is presented by the Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), the Public Library of Science (PLoS), Students for FreeCulture, eIFL.net, OASIS (the Open Access Scholarly Information Sourcebook), and the Open Access Directory (OAD). Click here for more information on the international effort.

Open Access at Purdue

What is an Open Access Policy? Why should Purdue faculty care?
Presentation, Q&A session and reception
November 2
1:30-3 p.m.
Lawson Computer Science Building 1142

At universities around North America, faculty are adopting policies for depositing their published articles into openly accessible digital repositories, like Purdue e-Pubs. By making their scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles available through such repositories, they are increasing access to their work for scholars, educators, and policymakers worldwide. The establishment of such a policy and its implementation has the potential for transformative positive effects on how research is disseminated and used. It also, however, involves greater awareness among authors about the terms of agreements they are signing with publishers and new responsibilities for the librarians who assist in implementation. While Harvard, MIT and Princeton are among the private universities where faculty have adopted Open Access policies, the University of Kansas was first among public universities, in 2009. The University Senate at Purdue will soon consider adopting such a policy. What do you need to know and why should you care?

With the sponsorship of the Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice President for Research, Purdue Graduate Student Government, University Libraries Committee and University Resources Policy Committee, Purdue will have the opportunity to learn about Open Access policies and what the implications are for faculty. Purdue Libraries has invited faculty from the University of Kansas who were instrumental in adopting the first public university OA policy. Click here for more information.

Faculty sessions set to gain insight into university Open Access policies

Open Access Briefing #1
October 26
12-1:30 p.m.
STEW 322

Open Access Briefing #2
November 2
10-11:30 a.m.
STEW 318

New Faculty and Staff

PILLAR: New Relationships

LANGSTON BATES
Interim Black Cultural Center Librarian

I would first like to acknowledge and thank the Purdue University Libraries family for putting forth an extended effort to help me develop my professional self. I believe that my appointment here is in many ways a direct result of the Association of Research Libraries Diversity Scholars visit in April of 2010. During my visit as an ARL scholar I was able to witness a top tier unit of librarians working together to advance scholarship. As a first-year library student, I was inspired by that image. Now that I have joined the team as Black Cultural Center (BCC) Librarian, I am excited to find avenues through which to contribute.

I was born in Chicago but raised mostly in the Oklahoma City area. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Music Composition & Technology from the University of Oklahoma. My senior recital included works for string quartet, gospel choir and electronic tape. I then took an extended vacation out to Miami and came back with a Master of Music in Media Writing and Production. After working for a year as a library assistant at Langston University’s Black Heritage Center, I moved to the Dallas Metroplex to complete my MLS degree at the University of North Texas.

As I settle in to the greater Lafayette area, I plan to spend my time furthering my interests in commercial music and film scoring, traveling north to Chicago to reconnect with relatives and, chief amongst all, perfecting my skill set in librarianship. In addition to my duties at the BCC, I will be working with Beth McNeil and the team in developing our first-year experience initiatives.

I would like to extend an invitation to you all to visit the Black Cultural Center facilities. During work hours, we have expertly trained students that can lead you through a tour of the entire building. My office is located upstairs in room 219D. You can reach me at 49-43096 or at bates17@purdue.edu.

PILAR: Robust Local Collections

Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature, looks into the world that Mary Shelley created in her ground-breaking novel Frankenstein. The exhibit examines how filmmakers, playwrights and other creative thinkers have transformed Shelley’s story into one of the most iconic images in the Western world while extending the myth beyond a literary focus. The exhibit’s panels consider how Mary Shelley’s creature so often provides the framework for discussion of today’s biomedical advances such as cloning and organ transplantation which challenges our traditional understanding of what it means to be “human.”

The exhibit was developed by the National Library of Medicine in collaboration with the American Library Association and will be on display at the Hicks Undergraduate Library from October 28-December 3. It is free and open to the public and can be viewed anytime during the library’s normal operating hours.

The Libraries will have one event in partnership with the BioEthics Department at Purdue. Dr. David Stocum, Professor of Biology at IUPUI and the Director of the Indiana University Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, will give a talk titled “Regenerative Biology and Medicine: From Frankenstein to Four Factors.” The event will take place November 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Lawson Computer Science Building, room 1142. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

The West Lafayette Public Library, in partnership with the exhibit, will show The Bride of Frankenstein on October 28 which is also free and open to the public.

Archival scholarship awarded to Mary Sego

PILLAR: Infrastructure

The Society of Indiana Archivists (SIA) awarded Mary Sego, Archives and Special Collections, with the John Newman Professional Development Scholarship. The scholarship was presented at the October 7 SIA workshop, Nuts and Bolts: Archives Basics.

“When one finds herself in the role of an accidental archivist the challenges can be daunting. I think there is added pressure to make sure one does things right because we know people have placed into our hands their treasured papers, artifacts, records, etc. We value the fact that they have shared a part of themselves and/or their organizations and we want to take care of these treasures the proper way,” said Sego.

Coworker Susan Calvert attended the workshop with Sego and they both expressed their gratitude for having had the opportunity to learn more about basic archival skills, meeting with others working in the same filed and sharing stories about their experiences.

Famous author adds spice to Libraries Distinguished Lecture Series

Ruth Reichl, recognized as one of the nation's most influential figures in the food world, spoke to an enthusiastic audience as part of the Libraries' Distinguished Lecture Series on October18 in Fowler Hall. She gave an informative history of food and how it influences our attitudes toward food in our society and in our everyday lives.

For more information about the Distinguished Lecture Series visit www.lib.purdue.edu/adv/lectureseries.

Reichl poses with student fan during the book signing held after the lecture.

DAVID MOSES
Purdue Libraries
1955-1996

Mr. Moses came to Purdue in 1951 as a freshmen from Kendallville, Indiana. He graduated in 1955 with a B.A. in Industrial Education and began work the following Monday in the Audio Visual Center (AVC). It was his love of photography that prompted him to accept the job as coordinator of developing educational media for classroom instruction at Purdue. He earned a Masters degree in Education and continued to work with anyone who was interested in developing ways of using media as an educational tool.

In 1968 he was named Director of the AVC located in the basement of the newly renovated Stewart Center. In 1976 he moved upstairs into the Libraries Administrative Offices noting that his responsibilities had changed over the years, but his original goal of using and promoting the Libraries as an educational tool had always remained the same. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was Director of Administrative Services for the Libraries.

One of his most memorable and challenging assignments was to lead the construction of the Undergraduate Library and at his retirement was very proud that he could still share many interesting facts about UGRL – it has 4500 yards of carpeting, it cost 9.4 million dollars to build in 1982, and there is enough concrete to build a sidewalk from here to Muncie (96 miles).

He was very proud of the Libraries and its accomplishments. It was his goal many years ago to teach people how to use the Libraries to their advantage and was confident that staff would continue to seek out new methods and techniques for improving itself. He always thought of the Libraries motto as Why Not?