In September of 2014, Research Data was created to merge the PURR team and research data specialists into one unit to work more closely together. And as of August 2016 we are all in one space and literally able to work more closely together! The newly renovated STEW 174 is now home to Amy Barton, Scott Brandt, Sandi Caldrone, Jerry Kuang, Standa Pejša, Line Pouchard, Kendall Roark and Michael Witt.

Research Data is the central unit which provides data support to liaisons/specialists and others throughout the Libraries. The group focuses on learning, research and engagement around research data issues, and works with liaisons/specialists to develop resources and solutions to problems with research data management and curation on campus. The people in Research Data focus on various aspects of data, from organizing to managing to sharing to curating and preserving it. Many of the liaisons/specialists already work one-on-one with faculty on data projects and partnerships throughout ASC, HLS, HSSEB, PSET and Scholarly Publishing. Now having all of Research Data in one place makes it easier for them to find us, hang out, and collaborate.

Projects Research Data are working on include things like the PURR Data Hunt led by Standa to identify research datasets/collections that may be in danger of being lost, and to acquire them from every college, school or department on campus. And we’ve been working with the Libraries’ GRIP (Graduate Research Information Program) to develop a data management series for the Graduate School.

STEW 174 reflects the characteristics of other recently designed spaces. There is carpeting throughout and the warm colors are carried up the walls. “Interior” windows were added to offices to spread as much light as possible throughout the space. Every room includes a workstation that can be adjusted to allow for standing as well as sitting. And there is a conference room where we can hold webinars and international Skypes.

The move has been pretty smooth, although there are always little things to tweak. It was very nice that Scholarly Publishing actually provided us with cookies and milk during our move! And for contrast, here are some before and after photos. Please stop by and see us in our new space!

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded $750,000 to Purdue University to support a unique approach to research, scholarly publishing and communications on global grand challenges.

The approach at Purdue is unique in two ways. First, it catalyzes the involvement of humanists and social scientists in grand challenges research, innovation and policy formation. Next, it embeds publishing professionals, libraries faculty and policy experts in the scholarly communications process.

Mellon's support of the program enables broadly interdisciplinary teams to tackle grand challenges in new ways, with expert assistance in communicating results directly to the public and key stakeholders (policymakers, not-for-profit organizations and others), so that new research gets more swiftly and effectively out of the academy into the hands of people who need it.

The approach is designed to drive innovation in grand challenges research while facilitating change in scholarly publishing in order to achieve greater public value.

The Scholarly Publishing Division of the Purdue University Libraries, the Purdue Policy Research Institute in Discovery Park, the College of Liberal Arts and the Purdue Systems Collaboratory are all partners on the grant. Peter Froehlich, director of the Libraries' Scholarly Publishing Division, and Laurel Weldon, director of the Purdue Policy Research Institute, will serve as principal investigators. This award follows on an earlier award of $539,000 from the Mellon Foundation in 2014.

"We're excited to be receiving this new award from Mellon," Froehlich said. "It's vital for publishers and policy centers to have support like this to work with researchers to explore ways to short-circuit traditional approaches to scholarly communications. The new award is a strong endorsement of our collaborative approach to research and scholarly publishing at Purdue." 

"Thanks to the previous support we received from Mellon and to our work with our partners on the grant across campus, PPRI has been able to develop a model for high-impact, interdisciplinary research. We look forward to sparking greater innovation in interdisciplinary research and scholarly communications through this project," said Weldon, who is a distinguished professor of political science.

The majority of the grant funds will support competitively selected research projects.
Applicant teams can recruit members from any institution, but lead principal investigators must be faculty in the Purdue College of Liberal Arts.  At least one research faculty from a STEM field as well as one member of the Libraries' faculty must be included on each team. Projects will be funded from January 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019. The title of the project is "Breaking Through: Multidisciplinary Solutions to Global Grand Challenges."

Details about applying, informational events and deadlines will be released soon. Researchers can direct questions to Froehlich and Weldon at humstem@purdue.edu.

The Purdue Libraries hosted the 6th Information Literacy Research Symposium, “Faces and Spaces of Information Literacy with International Students in Mind,” on August 2, 2016. The presenter was Dr. Hilary Hughes, associate professor in the faculty of education at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Hughes studies the intersection of information literacy and informed learning, international students, and learning space design. She presented on her research in progress and its practical applications and engaged the 60 attendees in group activities.

This symposium series is possible because of the generosity of W. Wayne Booker, who was a Purdue alum and executive at the Ford Motor Company. He recognized that people graduating from college and going into the workplace needed to have the skills necessary to use information effectively.

The co-sponsors of this program were: Purdue’s Center for Instructional Excellence, International Programs, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

I am very grateful to the people in the Libraries who helped make the Symposium a success, particularly, Ayn Reineke, Aimee McComb, Clarence Maybee, Shannon Walker and Teresa Brown.

Paul Bracke is on his way to his new role as Dean of the Foley Library at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Paul joined the Purdue Libraries in 2006 as the associate dean of Information Technology. Since his arrival his title and job description changed a variety of times to reflect his willingness to ‘pitch in’ wherever he was needed. “I am most happy about being able to jump in and help to make sure areas were given the attention they needed as technology, resource services, digital programs and information access evolved and departments shifted around. I wanted to help in any way that I could,” said Paul.

One of many successful programs that he was involved in was his role in the Libraries shift to Alma. “It was a long and not always easy process, but a very important step in setting up the next generation of a library management system that affected the library world. It was a huge effort on many of the staff and I am proud of their commitment to the project and for being such good sports about the process,” said Bracke.

Another initiative that Paul noted was the advancement of the digital user experience. Working with a team of dedicated staff members he was impressed with the improvements and progress this group made to meet its goals. “I was also excited to be a part of the Research Data endeavor. This initiative affects not only the Purdue environment but the library world,” said Bracke.

Paul provided some final thoughts on his time with Purdue University Libraries. “Taking on the many different challenges and roles allowed me the opportunity to work with staff from throughout the Libraries and the University, making connections that I might not have otherwise had, and for which I am grateful,” explains Paul. I am so impressed with the commitment that everyone has to the Libraries and because of this, our campus-wide image is one of importance and success. Thank to everyone for your support along the way. Purdue Libraries has been a wonderful experience.”

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It has been quite a “roller coaster ride” working in Interlibrary Loan for the past twenty and a half years. I can honestly say that it has indeed been memorable. The friendships formed over the years will not be forgotten and I will treasure them always. I have enjoyed the work, it has kept me...well, entertained to say the least! I will miss my coworkers and I will definitely reminisce from time to time. I especially want to thank all of you for making the past twenty or so years pleasant and survivable. Without the friendships and comradery, this would be “just a job”.

I plan on catching up on everything around the house, selling Avon, working security at the football and basketball games, doing volunteer work (hopefully with Food Finders) and most importantly, spending more time with family (near and far).

May God Bless each and every one of you and many thanks for being there for me!

Sincerely, Marjorie

Wei Zakharov, PhD
Assistant Professor
Engineering Information Specialist

Words cannot express how excited I feel to join the Purdue University Libraries as an Engineering Information Specialist. The position unfolds stunning opportunities to work with a dedicated collaborative community to achieve the common goal of empowering Purdue’s diverse groups of learners to critically use information to learn and create new knowledge. My research centers around identifying teaching and learning needs, designing active learning environment, evaluating instructional activities and student success.

Before coming to Purdue, I spent almost two years in Missouri, and also did my internship in an academic research library. I came to Purdue in 2008 as a graduate assistant for both the College of Engineering and the College of Education. As a result, I completed my doctoral program focusing on technology enhanced learning in STEM in 2012. With my previous position as an educational technologist on campus, I was intensively involved in instructional design and services for Purdue teaching and learning.

I wholeheartedly consider West Lafayette as my second home. This is my ninth year at Purdue University. I made a best friend who was also my roommate for three years. My husband is a Purdue Engineering alumni, and we first met in front of Grissom Hall. Now we have one girl and are happily settled in West Lafayette.   

My office is located in POTR 157 and my contact information is wzakharov@purdue.edu or 49-42872.

Liza Hagerman’s name was randomly drawn from all those who were SMILED upon in July. 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/

PSET Librarian Updates

With the hiring and retirement of librarians in PSET, here is an update to our engineering liaison roles, office locations and contact information.