A new year, 2016, what will it bring for us in the Purdue Libraries? Or more exactly, what will it move us toward? A few thoughts on the next year and portends for 2017.

Of course, a major initiative that will advance is the planning for the move to the Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC). Even though it still seems a distant event, it is only a little over a year away, Summer 2017. There are several initiatives for us to undertake, including: decisions on collections to be withdrawn, relocated to Hicks, or moved to the WALC. Coordinating the collection decision making and moves from six libraries is not a small challenge. However, it is one that I know that Sue Ward, Collections Strategist, working with many of you, will manage with aplomb. We will also need to determine staffing both in the WALC and in an expanded HKRP. As I have emphasized, no faculty or staff member will lose a position with the Libraries through this move, but it will be necessary for many of us to learn new skills and assume different responsibilities. It can be exciting to re-invent oneself!

By late spring, the renovation of the space on the first floor of Stewart will be completed. This renovation will provide excellent facilities for our data faculty and staff, bringing them together in one space for the first time. This renovation is also providing an opportunity to re-think and update the space occupied by Auxiliary Services.

Finally, we will be welcoming new faculty and staff as searches are completed for a number of positions. New colleagues had options about where they wanted to work. Therefore, we are pleased, excited and honored when they make the decision to join us at Purdue University Libraries. In 2015, we had a record number of new faculty and staff join the Libraries. As they reach out to know you, I know you will be responsive and welcoming. They will do the same, I am sure, when we welcome new faculty and staff in 2016 and 2017.
Best wishes for 2016 and beyond!

On behalf of the Scholarship & Awards Committee, we are pleased to announce there are eight (8) awards/scholarships available this year. Please encourage your student staff members to apply for the appropriate award and/or scholarship. The application deadline is February 19, 2016.
  
The PULSE Award
This award was created by the Purdue Libraries Circulation/Reserve Team in 2004. Initial funding was initiated through garage sales, a craft/bake sale and individual donations. In the first year, $1,445.80 was raised from 40 donors. Contributions continued to be added throughout the year with the goal of reaching the $20,000 amount necessary to endow the award. In 2004, Libraries Dean, Jim Mullins, led a fundraising challenge and agreed to match pledges from the Dean's Fund dollar for dollar. In 2005, endowment efforts were achieved with the efforts and contributions of Purdue graduates Mike and Judy Humnicky of California, who both spent their time at Purdue (1966-70) employed by the Libraries. The first two awards were presented in May 2004. This year four (4) $1000 awards are available.

The Dorothy Newby McCaw Scholarship
In 2004, Dorothy Newby McCaw found a meaningful way to honor her friend — she endowed the Dorothy Newby McCaw Scholarship for Libraries Student Workers in honor of Emily R. Mobley, former Libraries Dean. McCaw established the scholarship in honor of Dean Mobley's retirement as a way to recognize her many accomplishments during the 12 years of her deanship. The scholarship fulfilled one of Mobley's goals as Dean — to recognize top student workers in the Libraries. The first scholarship was awarded in 2007. This year two (2) $2500 scholarships are available.

The Dr. Albert Viton Scholarship
In 2006, Dr. Albert Viton, author and retired economist, endowed a scholarship to be awarded annually to a student employee from the Purdue University Press or the Libraries. His desire is that this scholarship will make a significant impact on students' lives and education while at Purdue. Viton became associated with the Press with the publication of his book, The International Sugar Agreements: Promise and Reality, in 2004. The first scholarship was awarded in 2007. This year two (2) $2500 scholarships are available.
 
Important Information

• All student staff members should receive e-mail notification of this opportunity but please make sure that they are aware of these awards and scholarships and of the February 19 deadline.
• Supervisors, please be aware of your part of the application process and the deadline. Students will not be considered without your portion of the application process.
• The URL for the information and applications is http://www.lib.purdue.edu/pulsescholar
• Remind your student staff who are in their senior year that they are eligible for the PULSE award if they meet the other criteria.

Selection committee members include: Chair Monica Kirkwood, Co-chair Frances Christman, Becki Corbin, Angie Ewing, Mary Sego, Shannon Walker and Sue Ward.

If you have questions please contact Monica Kirkwood at monicack@purdue.edu or Frances Christman at frances@purdue.edu.

Brad Heiss, Auxiliary Services, is retiring January 28 after more than 26 years in Purdue University Libraries. Brad came to Purdue on October 30, 1989 as an audiovisual technician in the Hicks Undergraduate Library’s Independent Center. He later joined the Auxiliary Services unit, subsequently becoming head of the unit and Libraries facilities collaborator, and most recently facilities manager.

Brad welcomes you to stop by to see him at his Auxiliary Services office in Stewart Center on Thursday, January 28, or Friday, January 29, after 10 a.m.

In lieu of a gift, Brad asks that those wishing to do so make a donation to the Libraries Archives and Special Collections in his honor, directing them specifically to the Preservation and Processing Fund. Donations will be used toward the purchase of a deep cycle freezer for use in preservation work.

For the fifth year Purdue University Libraries has participated in the campus celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by creating displays honoring his legacy. More information about this year’s events can be found at the MLK Commemorative Events site at http://www.purdue.edu/diversity-inclusion/mlk/.

2016 Purdue Libraries Displays

Siegesmund Engineering Library – Potter
“The Fierce Urgency of Now: Honoring the Past with David Crosthwait”
January 5- February 29
Display created by Sandy Galloway

Hicks Undergraduate Library – Hicks
“Topics on Diversity”
January 11-February 3
Display created by Ann O’Donnell

M.G. Mellon Library of Chemistry – Wetherill
“Civil Rights Leaders and Activists”
January 13-February 1
Display created by Becky Hunt

Physics Library – Physics
“Civil Rights Leaders and Activists”
January 13-February 1
Display created by Becky Hunt

Humanities, Social Sciences & Education Library – Stewart Center
“1960’s news coverage of Martin Luther King, Jr.”
January 14-25
Display created by Patrick Whalen

Mathematical Sciences Library – Math
“Memorial in the Mall: The MLK Monument”
January 12-February 12
Display created by Angela Ewing and Nastasha Johnson

Genealogy is currently one of the most popular hobbies, with more and more people becoming interested in tracing their ancestry. However, with hundreds of resources available on the internet and in print, it can be hard to know where to start. Join us on February 8 for an introduction on how to get started tracing your family tree. You can sign up here: https://purdue.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82lRBJqHgGiJDMN

February 8, 2016
Genealogy: Getting Started
12- 1 p.m.
Hicks G959

Please note that participation in Lunch & Learn programs is optional and, therefore, not in pay status.

Also, we are always looking for new ideas for possible Lunch & Learns. If you would like to explain more about what your unit does, or if you have a special talent you would like to showcase to the rest of Libraries, please contact any member of LCSSAC or email: lcssac@purdue.edu.

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IN HSSE LIBRARY

On January 7 an email was sent to Libraries staff asking for volunteers to help move 754 journal volumes off of shelving and loading them on to carts for recycling. Each volume weighed 7 pounds for a total of 2 tons of material.

Rae Lyn Boes said, “It was absolutely wonderful how quickly so many people stepped up to help with this project. Special thanks to Candy Sheagley, Candy Scott, Daniel Yeoman, Laura Patnaude, Marjorie Boeckman, Jacinda Laymon, Justin Howten and Ilana Stonebraker. Many thanks to Stanislav Pejsa, Patty Glasson, Becky Hunt, Karen Fields, Rebecca Richardson, Danielle Schiewer, Jane Yatcilla, Stephan Miller, Lil Conarroe, Emily Branson and Cindy Yeoman for their kind offers and support. These folks are why we went from overwhelmed to relieved and grateful in mere hours.”

Before and After