News from the Dean

BY JIM MULLINS

PILLAR: Learning

Libraries new publication
VOLUMe, the Libraries new publication, has recently debuted. I hope you are enjoying your copy; it is also available on the web if you would like to share it with family or friends. Our new publication signals an important change in the way we communicate with our academic, alumni, donor, peer research and Indiana library communities. Our focus going forward will be on current areas of emphasis and will explore how we are positioning the libraries to meet challenges and opportunities. We have received many positive statements about VOLUMe and the praise belongs to everyone in Libraries because it was indeed the work of many people. Our “guiding light” for the publication is Kate Kester — please join me in extending a hearty thank you to Kate!

Planning stages for new library
Our plans continue for creating a combined science and engineering library, or as it is increasingly called — the Boiler STEAM Commons. Two steps are planned for this spring and summer to move the project forward. First, a study will be undertaken to assess current and future campus-wide need for classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories and study spaces (libraries). This will validate the need for such spaces as the University strives to meet the campus’s most pressing needs. It will also provide information on whether certain projects can be combined in order to address needs. Second, two consultants will study the old power plant and the site. One consultant will determine the cost for demolition and cleanup of the site; the other will assess whether the old power plant could be converted to another use (Boiler STEAM Commons). This assessment will provide the University with a realistic cost for either demolition and new construction on the site, or incorporation of the old building into the plan for the Boiler STEAM Commons. Stay tuned!

Pillar: Scholarly Communication

In celebration of Black History Month, the Black Cultural Center (BCC) will be hosting a diverse array of programming with an emphasis on contemporary analysis of the African American experience. The BCC Library aims to supplement this series of events through media marketing, facilitative acquisitions and some independent programming of its own.

Programming includes:

• The ‘Difficult Dialogues on Race’ series will continue this Thursday, February 9 at 2 p.m. in the BCC. This program will feature a panel of students and faculty from the American Studies and English departments and is titled ‘Post Modern Blackness: Black Literature & Cultural Studies in the Obama Years’.
• The Black History Month Keynote Address will be delivered by Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas on Wednesday, February 15 at 7p.m. in Fowler Hall. Collier-Thomas is a political and historical scholar and is the author of two notable publications: ‘Jesus, Jobs and Justice: African American Women in Religion’ and ‘Daughters of Thunder: Black Women Preachers and Their Struggles.
• On Wednesday, February 29, the BCC will host a performance of The Langston Hughes Project at 7p.m. in Fowler Hall. The Langston Hughes Project is a traveling multimedia concert performance that interprets some poetic works from the Harlem Renaissance-era author.

Some new acquisitions to the BCC Library collection have been selected to contribute to the Black History Month celebration. English department faculty requested that the documentary 'Black Is...Black Ain't' be added to the DVD collection to prepare students for the discussion on Post Modern Blackness. Multiple copies of Dr. Bettye Collier-Thomas' publications were purchased with the intent to get them signed by the author. A series from The Library of America Collection titled 'Harlem Renaissance Novels' was also selected and features the works of authors such as Jean Toomer, Rudolph Fisher and Langston Hughes.

In addition to selecting new titles, BCC will draw from the February events to launch its social media initiative. Visual promotion using digital and print media will accompany each event on the BCC Calendar,

On March 6 at 6 p.m. the Library will host a book discussion on W.E.B. DuBois' 'The Souls of Black Folk.’. Finally, the Library will host and administer a class session for the course African-American Studies (AAS) 373: The Harlem Renaissance taught by Director of the African American Studies & Research Center Dr. Venetria Patton. Students will receive instruction on information literacy tools specific to African American Studies as well as some general research skills.

For more information about the BCC and the Library click here.

Visit Archives and Special Collections' online exhibit about African American students at Purdue

PILLAR: Scholarly Communication

Did you know David Robert Lewis was Purdue University’s first black graduate in 1894? Lewis, from Greensburg, Indiana, earned a BS in Civil Engineering.

Did you know in 1975 Purdue student and American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) member Tony Harris approached President Arthur Hansen about forming a national organization for black engineering students. President Hansen sent out a letter to 80 different colleges and universities requesting that each send a representative to Purdue to discuss the formation of a national body. As a result, the National Society of Black Engineers was founded.

To learn more about African-American history at Purdue, please visit the online exhibit.

Libraries welcomes new staff

PILLAR: Infrastructure

Sam Wehrspann
Web Applications Developer

I began working for the Libraries as a web applications developer in early August. My wife and I were both happy to return to West Lafayette after spending a year in North Carolina for her work with Teach for America.

I graduated from Purdue with a BS in Computer Graphics Technology in May 2008. During my undergraduate studies, I worked for the Athletic Ticket Office, which was a perfect job for me; I love sports and am a diehard Boilermaker fan. I also worked at a small startup video email company through the Interns for Indiana summer program that Purdue offers. Upon receiving my degree, I continued my relationship with Purdue working for two different grant projects. One was working with the College of Science and the other was through ITaP. I married my wife, Elizabeth, in July 2010 and thankfully my job allowed me to follow her out to North Carolina and continue to work for Purdue remotely. Once she finished her commitments, we decided to come back to West Lafayette and have just recently purchased our first home.

My wife and I are both originally from West Lafayette, and both attended Harrison High School and we are happy to be considered townies. When I’m not at a computer, I enjoy outdoor games like croquet, bags and golf. I am part of the Libraries’ bowling team, the Replacements. I like to read when I find the time. The Game of Thrones is my newest series. My wife and I also like to travel. We recently completed a two week road trip that took us through 13 states!

I’m very excited to be back home and happy to be a part of the Libraries’ team. I can be found on the third floor of Stewart, room 363 or by email at swehrspa@purdue.edu . Please feel free to stop by and say hello.

Parrish Library open for business

PILLAR: Learning

On Monday, February 6 the Roland G. Parrish Library opened its doors to students and the Purdue community. This completed the three-phase remodeling of the Management and Economics Library.

For more information and photos visit the website.

Libraries Staff A-Z

LAURA PATNAUDE
Library Assistant and Student Supervisor
Resource Sharing (Interlibrary Loan)

Q. What do you enjoy most about your job and why?
A. I enjoy all the people I work with. This includes students, coworkers and especially the patrons. It is very gratifying to help someone find a book on the shelf or locate a record in the catalog. People don’t always read their email carefully. They may come to Interlibrary Loan only to discover they have a recalled Purdue book. I like to go the extra step and find out which library is holding their book. I especially appreciate the variety in my daily routine. I may be at my computer, helping at the front desk or out scanning articles in the Engineering Library. Most days fly by.

Q. How long have you worked in the Libraries and at Purdue?
A. This coming October I will have been here 25 years. I started in Life Sciences, Hicks Undergraduate Library, Hicks Repository (Library Storage), Acquisitions and finally Interlibrary Loan.

Q. What is one unforgettable experience that has happened to you or your coworkers while working in the library?
A. It is really difficult to choose just one after all this time. This past spring semester one of my excellent student workers won a scholarship award and meeting her father was rewarding. It was gratifying to see how proud he was of her accomplishments. At the same time my coworker, Connie Richards, won the Dagnese award. It was a wonderful surprise and I was a thrilled to see someone so deserving receive this award; I am fortunate to work with Connie. Also, I will have to say that most of my best friends are women I have had the pleasure of working with in the Purdue Libraries. I am so blessed to have them in my life; they have been there for me through it all and I don’t know what I would do without them.

Q. What’s your favorite book, website, movie or database?
A. I enjoy fiction mainly Mysteries. I tend to read whatever pertains to my current situation. Right now it seems to be something like surviving the Teen years or Living on a budget.

Q. Coffee, tea, water or soft drink?
A. Coffee with cream.

Q. What do you like to do for fun?
A. I enjoy reading, listening to music and hanging out with friends. I enjoy Revolutionary war reenacting and camping. I also stay pretty busy watching my daughter cheer.

Q. Feel free to include any information about yourself that you would like to share with the staff?
A. I started playing the fife at age thirteen and was a member of the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corp for many years. In the summer of 1988 I had the opportunity to travel and perform with them in France and Switzerland. Our first performance was at the Museum of the Army, where Napoleon was buried and where no group from the United States had ever played. We also performed at the Palace of Versailles. The ten day tour was an amazing experience.

LCSSAC Lunch & Learn with ILL

On February 2 the Libraries Clerical and Service Staff Advisory Committee (LCSSAC) hosted its first Lunch and Learn for 2012. The presentation was part 2 of the Day in the Life Series featuring Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Following a team approach to their office and services, Amy Winks talked about what the ILL staff does and how each Libraries staff member becomes a part of their team when they are helping patrons request items form ILL.

Showing their team spirit are ILL staff members Shannon Miller, Connie Richards, Amy Winks, Marjorie Boeckman, Vicky McLaughlin, Laura Patnaude and Cheryl Sagendorf.