LIBRARIES IMPORTANT TO STUDENT SUCCESS

It happens all the time...whether I’m on a plane, at a concert, or meeting with an alumna or alumnus, when it comes out that I am a librarian it isn’t long before I am asked, “Do students still use libraries?” or “Why would students come to a library when everything is digital?”

We in the library field know so well that this perception is far from the reality of today’s library. While my first reaction is one of irritation that this is the perception, I realize quickly that this is as an opportunity to enlighten the individual about the critical role that libraries play in the learning and study experience for today’s students.

When I challenge the individual to reflect on the increasing distraction that surrounds us daily — the ubiquitous entertainment through omnipresent media and the ever present connectedness through technology — they begin to understand. It is a great opportunity to clarify that while many library resources are available digitally, and while the quantity of valuable material on the open web is increasing, the demand for print resources continues. And, in addition to the need to access the tangible materials, it is also knowing that there are highly trained staff in the library that can help them negotiate the information maze.

As finals approach, and as we prepare to open several of our libraries for 24/7 availability, our awareness is heightened about just how important our libraries and our roles are to our students. Libraries that were ‘nearly full’ most of the semester ‘nearly exceed’ capacity during this critical period in the academic semester as students hold impromptu study collaborations — sometimes while sitting on the floor or in a stairwell.

As the end of the semester approaches, once again the call has gone out for volunteers from the Libraries faculty and staff to work during these additional hours — late at night or early in the morning. Please consider volunteering some of your time during this critical period for our students. I promise you that your involvement will be greatly appreciated by the University and especially by our students who will be so grateful for the doors being open to our Purdue Libraries at just the time they are most needed.

Every time the question is raised about the need for libraries in today’s university, I think of the special effort so many of you make to help our Libraries be accessible during this critical end-of-semester period. To those individuals who would question the role of libraries in today’s world, “You really can’t perceive the need for, and role of, libraries in our student’s lives if you haven’t spent time in a Purdue library as the semester comes to a close.”

To everyone who will be working extra hours to keep the doors of our libraries open 24/7, please accept my deepest appreciation and gratitude. Your willingness to go above and beyond your regular duties to serve our students contributes to the great pride we feel in Purdue Libraries.

To all in the Purdue Libraries, have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!

CELEBRATING RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP 2013

For the sixth straight year, the Purdue Libraries Research Council hosted Celebrating Research and Scholarship (CR&S) on November 18. This event is planned to showcase research in all its phases, from the early spark of an idea to a funded grant proposal and everything in between. It's a great opportunity to learn what our colleagues are working on and to generate new research ideas and collaborations. It's always amazing to see the breadth of what is being accomplished!

This year's CR&S showcased 39 abstracts — the largest number so far! A tight time-frame was necessary to present them all in two hours and Michael Witt kept the presenters moving at a fast clip. Lunch provided opportunities for questions and deeper discussion of the presentations. The Research Council subcommittee for CR&S was Michael Witt, Amy Barton and Maribeth Slebodnik, chairperson.

Catherine Fraser Riehle talks about how the redesign of HONR 19901: The Sustainability Project, via Purdue's IMPACT initiative led to a project to assess the influence of the course's curricular and co-curricular experiences on developing 1) multi-dimensional thinkers and 2) students who seek to collaboratively change the world.

GOOGLE BOOKS COPYRIGHT LAWSUIT WIN IS A SIGNIFICANT VICTORY

Litigation between Google and the Authors Guild that has been ongoing since 2005 has resulted in a win for Google and university libraries, including Purdue University Libraries. On November 14 Judge Denny Chin found in favor of Google and dismissed the lawsuit brought against them by the Authors Guild.

The Google Book Project began in 2004 with Google entering into agreements with Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan, New York Public Library and Oxford to scan books in their libraries. As part of the agreement, participants in the project received a digital copy of the book. Google created a database of the scanned works but only allowed snippets of works still protected by copyright to be viewed. Full text access was only available to works in the public domain. Over the years, many other universities, including Purdue, joined the Google Book Project. To date Google has scanned over twenty million books.

The Authors Guild as the representative for many authors sued Google for copyright infringement. Google has maintained that their scanning and posting of the works was fair use under the U.S. Copyright Act.

Judge Denny Chin agreed with Google. According to the Court, the use of the work was transformative, which is one of the factors considered under fair use. Chin stated that “Google Books digitizes books and transforms expressive text into a comprehensive word index that helps readers, scholars, researchers and others find books.” Another factor that the Court looked closely at was the market effect and whether or not it was harmed by Google’s actions. Chin determined that the Google Books Project in fact expanded the market for books by helping the public discover books that they would never have known about but for Google. Chin also referred quite extensively to a recent decision in the HathiTrust v. Authors Guild lawsuit in which HathiTrust won on similar fair use principles and application of U.S. Copyright law.

HathiTrust is a partnership of major research universities and libraries that is focused on preserving collections in digital form to allow access to the works for future generations. Both legal victories are recognition that the digital world offers new and exciting opportunities to researchers and scholars and that the copyright law should be applied to new uses of works in a way that is consistent with the built in flexibility of the law and the intent of the Copyright Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

This is a significant victory for libraries as well. In the opinion, Chin noted that Google provides libraries with a digital copy of works that they already own which allow libraries to make lawful uses of the digitized copies consistent with the copyright law. The Court found that such use is fair use and that the libraries would have no liability for copyright infringement. This is good news for many libraries, like Purdue, who have digitization projects either in progress or under consideration. The Google win allows such projects to proceed and provides greater access and research capabilities to not only library collections held at Purdue but too many collections around the world.

Not surprisingly the Authors Guild was not pleased with the decision and has indicated that they will appeal it to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

The University Copyright Office was established in 2000 to advise Purdue University faculty and staff on the application of copyright law in a higher education setting and to provide information on current copyright issues. The Office also provides programs to promote compliance and awareness.

For further information about copyright or to set up an appointment, please contact the office at 49-63864 or Donna Ferullo, Director, at ferullo@purdue.edu. The Office is located in Stewart Center, Room 264A.

STUDENT SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT PANELS ON DISPLAY

The Purdue University Libraries is currently hosting the Student Sustainability Summit panels. The first annual Student Sustainability Summit was held on February 20, 2013. Attended by over 180 individuals representing various departments and student organizations, the Summit sought to encourage discussions on sustainability and foster continued collaborations among students, faculty, administration and staff with interest in these efforts. Events included a panel of focused presentations from faculty and staff, an envisioning session to brainstorm ideas and a showcase where student projects on sustainability were highlighted.

These visions were captured in the Student Sustainability Summit Display. Created during the Summit by professional graphic artists, the panels illustrate the ideas and innovations developed by the attendees. These panels will travel through each of the library divisions throughout the school year. The current schedule for the display is below:

November 18-January 12: Roland G. Parrish Library
January 13-February 2: Life Sciences Library
February 3-February 23: Siegesmund Engineering Library
February 24-March 16: Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Library 
March 17-April 13: M. G. Mellon Library of Chemistry
April 14-May 11: Archives and Special Collections

Various events related to the display are being planned. More information about these events is forthcoming. If there are any questions about the display, please contact Ann O’Donnell at 49-61498 or atodonne@purdue.edu.

LIBRARIES NEW STAFF

Kristen Cash
Library Assistant
Parrish Library

I started working at the Parrish Library in late September as a library assistant. My main responsibilities are scheduling room reservations and maintaining the records for the Parrish Library serials. I also enjoy helping patrons at the Parrish iDesk.

I grew up in a little Indiana town called Floyds Knobs, just a few minutes away from Louisville. I went to college at Indiana University Southeast where I earned my bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology. During my junior year of college I began working at the IU Southeast Library as a cataloging assistant. I loved working in the library and decided to go to library school after I graduated college. I went on to Indiana University to earn my master’s in library science.

While attending IU I had student jobs in three different libraries. During my first year I worked in serials cataloging at the IU Wells Library. During my second year I worked at the circulation desk at the IU Public Health Library and the reference desk at the Monroe County Public Library. These were great experiences that helped me understand the differences between working in an academic library and a public library.

I graduated from IU in May and I am now living in West Lafayette. I enjoy reading a good fantasy novel, rooting for the Colts and spending time with my family and friends. My office is located in room 203 at the Parrish Library. I can be contacted at cashk@purdue.edu or 49-66859.

Danielle Schiewer
Library Assistant
Hicks Undergraduate Library

I started working at Hicks Undergraduate Library on September 30. At first I was very nervous because I did not have any library experience. Luckily, much of what I do is customer service based and my prior position at the International Center had me adequately prepared.

With my time at Purdue I hope to gain experience in a university setting working with students, particularly those that are international students. Prior to the Libraries, I worked at the International Center of West Lafayette where I organized many programs to foster cross-cultural understanding. I had the opportunity to work with many international students and learn a lot about working in a small not-for-profit. Now I am excited to bring that experience to the Hicks Undergraduate Library and Purdue.

My passion for international students started when I was studying at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College to get a Bachelors of Science in Human Services. I worked closely with international students in my extracurricular activities. The experiences were very rewarding and lead me to pursue a career with a university and I am very excited to bring my experience and knowledge to Purdue.

I grew up in a very small town in East-Central Indiana. We like to joke that we have more cornfields than people in town. When I moved to Lafayette four years ago, I had to adjust to the “big city life.” Now, I am enjoying the perks of city life with my husband and our dog. We like to spend time outdoors in state parks, camping and hiking.

You can find me in Hicks G965 and reach me at dschiewe@purdue.edu or 49-46733.

LIBRARIES STAFF A-Z