STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE

It hardly seems possible that it has been four years since we developed our current strategic plan, written to guide us from 2011-2016. With so many great things happening in the Purdue Libraries, time has certainly gone quickly. We now find ourselves a year out from the end of this plan. We will begin a process this summer to help us continue to move forward. This planning process will not be a completely revised plan, rather it will be an extension of our current plan to take us through June, 2018. This extension will bring us into better alignment with Purdue planning cycles and allow us to more easily respond to changes in the campus plans in the future.

Our three overarching goals (Learning, Scholarly Communication and Global Impact) are still relevant for advancing the mission of the Purdue Libraries and academic excellence at Purdue. We need to rethink some of our objectives and strategies, however, in the context of Purdue Moves. These will certainly influence the strategic directions we will take between now and into 2018. In fact, Purdue Moves is already driving some of our initiatives.

A planning process will begin shortly after the end of the spring semester. Although not all of the details of the process have been finalized, I would like to emphasize that we will be seeking input and feedback broadly within and outside the Libraries. This will include opportunities for all Libraries faculty and staff to provide input. Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing more details about the process in the coming weeks.

LIBRARIES EXTENDED HOURS CALL OUT

The end of the semester is almost here, and Purdue Libraries will be extending hours in four of our libraries: Engineering (ENGR) and Hicks Library (Hicks) will be open 24-hours beginning Sunday, April 26. Humanities, Social Science and Education (HSSE) and Parrish Library of Management and Economics (Parrish) will extend their hours Friday, May 1 — Saturday, May 2 and Finals week. All other libraries will remain open normal hours.

This schedule will have participating libraries open for many additional hours, and 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.

ENGR is seeking staff from throughout Purdue Libraries:
Monday — Friday midnight–8 a.m.
Friday 6 p.m. — Saturday 11 a.m.
Saturday 5 p.m. — Sunday 11 a.m.
Contact Amanda Gill, gill3@purdue.edu

Hicks is seeking staff from throughout Purdue Libraries:
Monday — Friday 2–7 a.m.
Friday 6 p.m. — Saturday 1 p.m.
Saturday 6 p.m. — Sunday 1 p.m.
Contact RaeLynn Boes, rboes@purdue.edu.

HSSE is seeking staff from HSSE staff and faculty — work with RaeLynn Boes to cover extended hours.
Parrish is seeking staff from Parrish staff and faculty — work with RaeLynn Boes to cover extended hours.
If you wish to participate or have questions, please send an email by Friday, April 10 to Amanda Gill for ENGR or RaeLynn Boes for Hicks.

If you wish to participate or have questions, please send an email by Friday, April 10 to Amanda Gill for ENGR or RaeLynn Boes for Hicks.

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. Please note that overtime is based on hours worked, not hours in paid status. Any leave taken during the extended hours period will not be included in overtime calculations. 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.

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped keep the Libraries open in the past and to new volunteers who are able to contribute a few hours of time at the end of this semester. This greatly appreciated initiative would not be possible without your help!

BOOK AND EXHIBIT FEATURE NATION'S FIRST COMPUTER DEPARTMENT AT PURDUE

Archives and Special Collections has opened an archival exhibit featuring Purdue University’s first computer science department established in 1962 to coincide with the release of a new book celebrating the department’s history.

The “First in the Field: Beginnings of the Nation’s First Computer Science Department” exhibit will be on display through July 24. The exhibit was created by Richard Bernier, processing and public services archivist, Purdue University Libraries. The book, “First in the Field: Breaking Ground in Computer Science at Purdue University,” was written by Robin Lea Pyle and highlights the department’s beginnings and early years — from the early 1950s through late 1960s.

“Purdue recognized that the study of computers and computing had evolved from being a tool used across multiple disciplines, particularly mathematical sciences and statistics, to a discipline in and of itself,” said Tim Korb, assistant department head in the Department of Computer Sciences. “The creation of a computer science degree program in the early 60s, before the computer age really took off, shows the kind of forward-thinking that has set Purdue apart.”

The exhibit is located in the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center, fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Science and Education Library inside Stewart Center. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, includes:

• How the advancements in the different computers used at Purdue in the 1950s and early 1960s increased demand for greater “computing power,” which acted as a catalyst for recognizing the importance of computer science to the university.
• Highlights of several individuals instrumental in the start of the department, including Duane Pyle and Richard Kenyon, two graduate students who were at the front lines of running the computing services and teaching classes when there was no computer science department and the discipline was still being defined. They were also two of the original department faculty. John W. Hicks was executive assistant to President Frederick L. Hovde and chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Computers. The committee’s recommendations to Hovde led to the establishment of the Computer Sciences Center as a separate administrative unit and the creation of a graduate program in computer science. George Hawkins, dean of the School of Engineering, was the number one champion of computing services and a computer science curriculum from one of the academic departments. And finally, Samuel, Conte was the first head of Department of Computer Science in 1962.
• Papers and artifacts from the first years of the department.
• Photographs of some of Purdue’s early computers and students and prominent people using them.
• Artifacts and papers from the Samuel Conte papers and David Studebaker Computer Science collections. Some items on display include punch card decks, one accompanied by a printout, a programming flowchart template and early manuals and self-published “text books” by faculty since there were no text books in computer science at the time.

The book “First in the Field: Breaking Ground in Computer Science at Purdue University,” gives a historical account of how the department was started and its history up to the present. Historical anecdotes through previously unpublished writings and photographs, as well as published articles and interviews, provide context of the challenges in legitimizing the new academic field and the determination of the pioneering thinkers. Author Robin Lea Pyle is the daughter of L. Duane Pyle, a charter faculty member in the department, the assistant director in Purdue’s Computer Sciences Center in 1961-62 and assistant to the department head from 1965-69. Purdue University Press is the book’s publisher.

LIBRARIES NEW STAFF

Ashley Hutchcraft
Event Planner
Strategic Communication

Hello, I am the new event planner in the Libraries office. This position has a variety of duties that include communication, organization and building strong relationships with alumni, students, university and Library staff. I also am charged with designing and executing Libraries events.

I was born and raised in Logansport, Indiana. I came to Purdue University in the fall of 2005 and graduated in December of 2009. I started working in the Purdue Memorial Union as a temp while I was still in school and later moved to the catering department as a student employee. Once I graduated I took on a full time position in the Catering and Events office as a scheduling clerk, and a year later I became an event planner there. I really enjoy working for Purdue. I am especially excited about my new position and the people I work with. This department is very engaging, hardworking and compassionate.

Yes, I am Joette Hutchcraft’s daughter. However, I was here first and maintain that she followed me. I also have a twin sister Amy. Those that do not know us swear we are identical but we are not. There is always a fifty percent chance that if you see me outside Purdue it may not be me. So if I snub you do not take it personally because it was not me.

When I am not working, I enjoy reading, cooking, spending time with family, babysitting my adorable nephew and volunteering at church.

My office is located in STEW 264 and I can be reached by phone at 49-42849 or by email at ahutchcr@purdue.edu. Boiler Up!

MARCH SMILE AWARD

Amy Storm's name was randomly drawn from all those who were SMILED upon in March. She received a $25 Von’s Book Shop gift certificate.

All faculty, administration 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/

AROUND THE LIBRARIES

The building site is being prepared for construction of the Active Learning Center. The 163,00 gross square foot building will bring together six campus libraries, include classroom space to support the IMPACT program and all non-laboratory campus instruction, as well as active learning in general. Photo provided by Purdue Physical Facilities WebCam.