Last spring, Libraries Administration conducted two surveys, one of clerical/service (C/S) staff and the other of supervisors of C/S staff, to gather input on training needs related to skills in C/S employees’ present positions and in regard to career advancement. Both surveys included the opportunity to provide comments in addition to indicating levels of importance and need for each skill set. Many thanks to all who completed the surveys. Your time and your thoughts are very much appreciated.

The surveys asked respondents to rate each of 18 skills with regard to how important they judged the skill to be for staff in the area in which the respondent worked (C/S staff) or the area supervised (operations managers and others who directly supervise C/S) staff. Respondents were also asked to identify the level to which each skill was lacking in their area, indicating the potential need for training in particular skills.

The responses from both C/S staff and supervisors placed communication and customer service skills at the top of a group of skills that were judged to be somewhat to very important and for which a moderate to high need for training was expressed. Other skills in this group were cultural diversity, dealing with conflict, decision making and problem solving.

Responses by supervisors and C/S staff with regard to importance and need for training varied for some skills. For example, supervisors’ ratings called attention to change management and time management, while ratings by C/S staff placed more emphasis on Alma, job seeking, leadership, project management, stress management, student employee supervision, team building and technical skills. Both groups of respondents indicated that skills related to data and making presentations were less needed skills in C/S positions.

In addition to input on the list of skills, some respondents to both surveys provided comments on particular skills and/or general comments about training needs.

What’s happening now?
This semester, through the leadership of Sharon Weiner, interim associate dean for academic affairs, along with the Administrative Committee (AdCom) and the Planning and Operations Council (POC), we’re focusing on communication skills throughout the Libraries. This focus on communication, one of several skill sets rated by respondents to both surveys as highly important and highly needed, was kicked off with an exercise at the fall All-Staff Meetings. Related exercises have since taken place at AdCom and POC meetings, and all Libraries units are now engaging in these communication-related exercises.

What’s next?
This coming spring, AdCom will look into Alma-related skills training needs. Workshops will be scheduled, and/or links provided to available training, to address other needs which stood out in the surveys. Please watch for more information.

Everyone should have completed the “colors” exercise during our October all-staff meetings or using an online alternative. The purpose of this exercise was to determine the communication styles we each prefer so that we can understand how to communicate more effectively with co-workers.

The members of AdCom and POC engaged in a follow-up exercise that POC members will use with members of their units. We would like for everyone to be engaged in these discussions! You should complete that exercise by the end of January. Details about that activity are forthcoming...

Another follow-up activity will be supervisor training on November 28. The purpose of the training is to learn how to incorporate effective workplace communication techniques in performance goals, performance counseling and annual evaluations. We will schedule a make-up session for supervisors who cannot attend the Nov. 28 training.

The Libraries Research Council recently hosted the annual Purdue Libraries Celebrating Research & Scholarship event in the Purdue Memorial Union West Faculty Lounge. This event was open to all Libraries faculty and AP staff and provided them with the opportunity to share their ongoing or recent research projects with their colleagues. There were 26 different presenters who provided information on 40 different research projects.

This year, the categories were grouped according to topics of Engagement and Emerging Opportunities, Learning, and Scholarly Communication. An informal luncheon provided the opportunity for colleagues to talk about possible collaborations, discuss methods for gathering and analyzing data, generate new research questions and share insights and resources.

“Although one might think that listening to 40 different presentations might be a bit tiring or even boring, that was not the case at all, in fact it was invigorating! The presentations were diverse and reflected the continuum represented by scholarship in the Libraries,” said Dean of Libraries, Jim Mullins.

Members of the Research Council include Scott Brandt, Bert Chapman, Michael Fosmire, Pete Pascuzzi, Line Pouchard, Michael Witt and Jane Yatcilla.

Jean-Pierre V.M. Hérubel presents on his paper, “Observations on Revised Art History Dissertations Published by University Presses.” His study offers a quantitative survey of art history books that originated as dissertations.

The Purdue University Libraries will recognize the following staff members for their many years of dedicated service to Purdue and the Libraries at the Annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Event on December 9, 2-3:30 p.m. in STEW 279.

2016 LIBRARIES NEW STAFF
Will Ferrall (1/25) Library Assistant, ILL
M Cadwallader (2/24) Library Assistant, ILL
Melissa Waterworth (2/24) Library Assistant, HKRP
Audrey Grisham (3/21) Library Assistant, HSSE
Yue “Shirley” Li (3/14) GIS Analyst, PSET
Nina Collins (5/2) Scholarly Publishing Specialist, PRESS
Jenny Jackson (5/31) Marketing & Outreach Specialist, PRESS
Wei Zakharov (6/27) Assistant Professor, PSET
Heather Howard (7/5) Assistant Professor, HSSEB
Rachel Fundator (7/11) Information Literacy Instructional Designer, IL
Adriana Harmeyer (8/8) Outreach Archivist, Archives & Special Collections
Jacinda Laymon (8/8) Departmental Operations Clerk, PLF
Erla Heyns (8/15) Associate Professor & Head, HSSEB Division
Sandi Caldrone (8/15) Data Repository Outreach Specialist, Research Data
NuRee Lee (8/16) Assistant Professor, HLS
Nanette Andersson (9/1) Director Libraries Facilities, PLF
Qinghong (Joan) Wang (9/12) Library Assistant, Acquisitions
Bertin Mbongo (10/3) GIS Analyst, PSET
Jason Reed (10/10) Assistant Professor, HLS
Mandi Gramelspacher (10/17) Administrative Services Manager, ADM
Michael Lewis (10/17) Library Assistant, Information Resources
Lisa Carter (10/26) Library Assistant, HSSE
Ethan Shepherd (10/24) Library Assistant, HKRP
Sarah Huber (11/28) Engineering Technology Information Specialist, PSET

Retiring LCSSAC Members
Cheryl Oliver and Dan Rotello

Lisa Carter
Library Assistant
HSSE

My very first job after college was at a public library and I was hooked! Books, people, people, books...what could be more fun? I told myself: my long-range goals should be to get an MLS and continue working at a library.

However, my “long-range goals” became “very-long range goals” because we had an incredible chance to move to Europe (my husband’s job). Three kids later, an MA in Leadership, many road trips to all kinds of exotic places, working with survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear explosion, etc., etc., and we were ready to come back to our home town — Grand Rapids, Michigan.

By then, the younger two children were in Middle and High school. What was my first job after a long transition? The same public library where I worked a long time ago. It was a great place to work! Now I was ready to start working on an MLIS.

For my first major assignment in pursuit of an MLIS, I needed to interview two librarians working in archives, libraries, museums or an information center. I was so excited about my assignment that I ended up interviewing eight instead of two librarians working in four institutions. I was surprised to discover how wide and diverse the library field was! Some titles within the field were new to me and I had to look up what they meant (metadata librarian, liaison what).

After that assignment, I knew one thing: I wanted to work in an academic library. Looking at full-time library openings led me to Purdue, to the Humanities library. I am continuing with an MLIS and enjoying learning new things in my work as well as in classes. Yes, life couldn't be more fun when I am surrounded with books (in an academic library) and people (students and faculty).

I am usually found behind the iDesk in HSSE, please come and introduce yourself, email me at carte241@purdue.edu, or call me at 49-49844.

Michael Lewis
Library Assistant
Digital Programs

I am very happy to officially be part of Purdue University Libraries. I received my BS in Journalism from Ball State University, but have spent most of my work life in the music/recording industry. It is both surprising and comforting how similar my current tasks of editing, transcribing, uploading and archiving are to what I did for so many years with music. I’ve only switched out the audio for text and images.

By trade I am a singer/songwriter and member of the local traditional music group, Traveler’s Dream. We are just getting ready to start our 17th year together! I am also working on a novel (lyric prose) and a story for children.

When I’m not playing music, writing or working, you’ll usually find me in the borderlands between the field and the wood with my sweet golden retriever, Ruby, or enjoying a good book by the fire. My favorites are: Hardy, Woolf, Dickens, Austen, John Fowles, John Irving, Joanne Harris, William Styron, and Naomi Shihab Nye. Favorite book? It’s a tie between Jude the Obscure, The Return of the Native, and The Cider House Rules. Of course there’s The Magus, Bleak House, and Sophie’s Choice to consider. Oh, and A Prayer for Owen Meany! And The Collected Letters of Virginia Woolf. Oh, and...

My office is in STEW 256 and I can be reached at lewismj@purdue.edu or 49-49632.

Ethan Shepherd
Library Assistant
Hicks Repository

Hello! I am happy to have joined the staff of Hicks Repository. I graduated from Purdue in May so beginning work in late October was something of a homecoming for me, especially since I worked in the Wetherill Chemistry Library for three years as an undergraduate.

I originally hail from southern Indiana and have always had a love of reading. In my free time I also enjoy playing games, be they board games, pen and paper games, or video games.

My office is located in HIKS B849 and I can be reached at shephere@purdue.edu or 49-67264.

Health and Life Sciences Division Faculty Updates
With the addition of two new faculty members and the retirement of Gretchen Stephens, here is an update of the changes and liaison responsibilities in the HLS division.

Vicki J. Killion, associate professor RHPH 273 vkillion@purdue.edu; 49-41417 Head, Health & Life Sciences Division Subjects: Pharmacy	Marianne Stowell Bracke, professor LILY L-41 mbracke@purdue.edu; 49-69620 Subjects: College of Agriculture (all departments except for Biochemistry and Agricultural Economics)
NuRee Lee, assistant professor LILY L-31 lee2563@purdue.edu; 49-48684 Subjects: Center for Molecular Agriculture; Biological Sciences (College of Science)	Bethany McGowan, assistant professor LILY L-32 bmcgowa@purdue.edu; 49-42917 Subjects: School of Nursing; Nutrition Science; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (all College of Health & Human Sciences)
Pete Pascuzzi, assistant professor LILY L-31 ppascuss@purdue.edu; 49-43620 Subjects: Biochemistry (College of Agriculture); Medicinal Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology (College of Pharmacy); Bioinformatics (campus-wide)	Jason Reed, assistant professor RHPH 274 Reed252@purdue.edu; 49-49813 Subjects: College of Pharmacy (professional program); Health & Kinesiology (College of Health & Human Sciences); Consumer Science (College of Health & Human Sciences)
Jane Yatcilla, associate professor LYNN 1133C janeyat@purdue.edu; 49-42856 Subjects: College of Veterinary Medicine; School of Health Sciences – programs include Radiological Health Science, Occupational Health Science, Environmental Health Science, Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, and Medical Laboratory Sciences (College of Health & Human Sciences)