"GREEN ROOMS" IN LIBRARIES

As more faculty transform their courses through IMPACT or independently “flip” the classroom, ITaP is being challenged to provide more audio-visual instructional support. Earlier this year, a plan was presented that would provide the construction of a video recording facility with green screen capability that could be replicated in departmental locations. The goal is to have identical facilities available across campus. In phase one, the Libraries have agreed to provide space for two such studios — one in room B66 of the Engineering Library and one on the fourth floor of the Life Sciences Library.

These studios or “green rooms” are equipped with computers, digital video cameras, monitors, lights, and of course, the green screen. Fans of motion pictures with computer generated images (CGI) know that the green (or sometimes blue) screen allows other images to be added to the video of the actors. In the ITaP green rooms, the actor could be the faculty presenting lecture material for class preview or students videotaping course presentations. The videos are deposited to a common, central location maintained by ITaP. Creators of the videos can access the storage location and then forward their videos to a desired location, such as the course management system (BlackBoard).

Construction costs for the two green rooms in the Libraries are being provided by the departments, or in this case, the colleges of engineering and agriculture. ITaP will maintain the equipment and computers and initially coordinate scheduling through A-V Services. In addition to providing the space in each of the libraries, library staff will support those using the room, including on-site help in operating the system. ITaP is committed to training support staff responsible for assisting users of the room and to provide “quick start” documentation.

As with many projects, the proposed start date and the actual start date differ. We anticipated construction during the fall semester, but now can expect it sometime after the first of the new year.

Assistant Director for Service-Learning, Margaret Sass uses the green room in STEW G63 to prepare for her presentation in Turkey. Sass' topic is about conducting research and she uses the Purdue Libraries website as a source of reference in her presentation.

You can read more about this campus innovation and collaboration in Purdue Today.

KIRKWOOD RECEIVES TEACHING AWARD

Sixty-eight Purdue professors were honored December 2 when they were inducted into the “Book of Great Teachers,” which honors outstanding teaching faculty who have demonstrated sustained excellence in the classroom. Honorees were chosen by their students and their peers as Purdue’s finest educators. Hal Kirkwood, associate professor, is the first Purdue Libraries faculty member to receive the honor.

Held every five years, the induction ceremony took place in the Purdue Memorial Union. President Mitch Daniels and Dale Whittaker, vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs, spoke at the event.

"The Book of Great Teachers is an important symbol of a greater legacy, which is the tens of the thousands of lives that have been changed by these extraordinary teachers," Whittaker said. "We're honored to add this new class of teachers to the legacy."

"WHY I LOVE PURDUE LIBRARIES" VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS

Purdue University Libraries has recently selected the winners of its "Why I Love Purdue Libraries" Video Contest launched earlier this fall. The top winners include: Muhammad Afiq b. Junaidy, Sophomore, Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering – First Place; Denver Bailey, Senior, Film and Video Studies, College of Liberal Arts – Second Place, and Andrew Martin, Senior, Professional Writing and Theater – Third Place.

The video contest was open to all current, enrolled Purdue University students. All video entries had to be 1-3 minutes in length and follow the complete rules and guidelines for the contest as outlined here. Finalists were selected by Purdue Libraries Undergraduate Student Libraries Advisory Council (USLAC) and winners were confirmed by Purdue University Libraries Associate Deans.

Contest finalists' awards have been distributed through Purdue University Financial Aid Division. Links to the winning videos are listed below:

First Place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9HBXM7Ja38&feature=youtu.be
Second Place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHgTmj6RkDQ&feature=youtu.be
Third Place: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7Q0hRGxqrFBOHRrSGpIOTdNS1E/edit?usp=dri...

Pictured: Muhammad Afiq b. Junaidy, Jim Mullins, Denver Bailey and Andrew Martin.

NOVEMBER'S SMILE AWARD

April Maybee's name was randomly drawn from all those who were SMILED upon in November. She received a $25 Von's Book Shop gift certificate.

All faculty, administrators and staff are invited to send a note of appreciation for a kindness or thoughtfulness given, assistance provided to or by a Libraries, Press or Copyright Office colleague.

To learn more about how to participate in our SMILE Program, please visit and bookmark this page on the Libraries Intranet: http://intranet.lib.purdue.edu/display/HR/SMILE+Program.

LIBRARIES 24/7 FOR STUDENTS

Thank you to all staff and faculty who are assisting with the extra hours in several of our libraries. If you have ever worked one of these shifts you know how much students appreciate the Libraries having extended hours. For those of us who are less familiar with the late night atmosphere in the Libraries, here’s a comment from a student last semester, who shared the following, “It seems like my parents and the libraries are the only ones that really care about how well I do on my finals.” Yes, we do care, and that is why we continue to offer extended hours each semester.  

Here students take advantage of the newly remodeled study space in the Hicks Undergraduate library while preparing for finals. Ann O'Donnell, evening coordinator in Hicks noted that the library has experienced a steady flow of students who appreciate the extended hours and the inviting atmosphere.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing you a Happy Holiday season and a joyful New Year.

Photo by Patrick Whalen