 Nanette Andersson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Director of Libraries Facilities
So, how does an architect end up working in Libraries? First, confession time — I am a huge library geek. So I’m pretty much in hog heaven! I’m originally from the Chicago area, though my family did move to Paris, France for three years while I was in High School. My undergraduate degree, from Northern Illinois University (NIU), is in Art History, where I focused on illuminated manuscripts. I studied in London during my junior year, researching at the British Museum for my senior capstone on seventh-and-eighth century Anglo-Irish insular manuscript illumination. In addition, I earned money by doing exactly what our student workers do. I worked at NIU’s Founders Memorial Library in Interlibrary Loan and answered the phones. This was at the nascence of interconnected computers which would later become the internet. We would have to search and scroll through data for titles library-by-library hoping for a match. I also worked in the DuPage County Law Library. This was my first exposure to the fact that there are many different types of libraries — and I was hooked.
Once I graduated from college, I had several different types of jobs, including managing a retail bookstore (some of you may remember Waldenbooks), before deciding to get my M. ARCH, Master’s Degree in Architecture, from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Sticking with the theme — my third year spring semester project was, of course, a library. I then worked for several medium-sized firms, though again I gravitated to library projects — such as the 88,000 SF Harm A. Weber Academic Center (HAWAC) at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. This is a LEED Gold certified library and academic center designed by the UK winner of an international competition (the firm, BCA, I was with was the architect of record). The HAWAC is one of the few naturally ventilated new construction structures in the U.S. and relies on the stack effect to ventilate the building. During this time, I completed the 3-5 year internship and seven tests required to get my architectural license. Then in 2009, I started my own firm, Andersson Architecture + Design (AA+D), specializing in the design for new and existing library facilities. AA+D’s most recent project was the renovation and remodeling of the O’Fallon Public Library, in O’Fallon Illinois. (Feel free to go to my Pinterest page “Andersson Architecture +Design” or my website “Anderarch.com” to see images of some of my work). While most of my work has been in libraries, I have also worked high-profile projects such as the interior renovation of Chicago City Hall, as well as smaller projects like the adaptive reuse of an agricultural outbuilding into an ice cream scoop shop!
When I’m not being an architect, I love to travel and tour libraries and other buildings. I like sharing my knowledge of architecture. For instance, I did a 12-year stint as a Historic Preservation Commissioner in my hometown of Geneva, Illinois, I have been a Director of the Northeast Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture and I was appointed a member of the Architecture and Design Board for the Illinois Executive Mansion Committee by Illinois’ First Lady Diana Rauner. I’ve been married to my husband, Steve, for 30 years in May, and we have two grown children, Matthew and Sarah. In addition, I am an avid reader, and I love to draw and paint.
My office is located in Stewart Center, Libraries Facilities (PLF) Room 170A, and I may be reached at nanderss@purdue.edu or 49-49205.
 Mandi Gramelspacher
Administrative Services Manager
As a teenager, I was always jealous of my friends who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. There was never a particular career path that I was drawn to, so I found myself feeling a little lost. I have siblings in law enforcement, and at one point it felt very natural to follow in their footsteps. I hoped to eventually join the FBI, so in college I focused on Law and Society, with minors in Psychology and Spanish. Before too long, I decided that line of work wasn’t for me, but I graduated with my bachelor’s degree and crossed my fingers that things would work out.
Immediately after college, I took a job working as a paralegal in a local law office, where I focused on family law and estates. While I enjoyed the work, I knew in my heart that I ultimately wanted to come back to Purdue. I finally had the opportunity to return in June 2005 when I was hired as a Secretary V working for the Director of Business Managers. In August 2010, I took the position of Administrative Assistant for the Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, where I remained for more than six years. I am incredibly grateful for the experience and knowledge I have gained from those positions, and for the connections and friendships that I have built along the way. I am so excited to see what’s in store for me in my new adventure in the Libraries!
My family is very important to me. I have been married for more than 14 years to my husband, Josh, despite the fact that he’s a devoted IU fan! We have an amazing six year old daughter named Katie, and a very sweet, and energetic Lab/Shih-Tzu mix named Izzy. We love traveling, especially to tropical, beachy locations. Our upcoming trips include a visit to Walt Disney World in late October, and hopefully a cruise to the Bahamas in the spring!
In my spare time, I enjoy working out and running. Years ago, I was a dedicated mini-marathon runner, and was training for a full marathon when an injury prevented me from competing in the race. Completing a full marathon is an item on my bucket list that I hope to check off in the next couple of years.
My office is located in the Libraries Administration Office, Room 271, and I may be reached at 49-42902 or mandig@purdue.edu.
 Jason Reed
Health Sciences Information Specialist
Division of Health and Life Sciences
I am excited to join the Purdue Libraries and specifically the Division of Health and Life Sciences. This is a fantastic group and I am looking forward to learning from their experiences, while sharing my own. I join Purdue from Kansas State University where I worked firstly as a Graduate Student and Faculty Librarian and most recently as Library User Services, Head. I received my MLS from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in 2013.
Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, I developed a strong love for nature — particularly hiking and canoeing/kayaking. I have added jogging and mostly recently, CrossFit to my list of activities that help support my other passion of gaming. I love all types of gaming from pencil and paper games to board games to video games to live trivia events. Lastly, I enjoy watching, and occasionally playing, soccer.
I enjoy discovering new places and new experiences, so please feel free to share if there is something I should experience at Purdue or the surrounding areas.
My office is in RHPH 274 and I can be reached at reed252@purdue.edu or 49-49813.
 Joan Wang
Library Assistant IV
Acquisitions
Hi, I am the new library assistant in Acquisitions. Well, I am not totally new to the Purdue community. I was a student at Purdue and earned an MS in Education. From 2001 to 2008 I was a copy cataloger in the Libraries Cataloging unit (it was part of Technical Services at that time). When my family relocated to China in 2008, I had to leave my cataloging work and wonderful coworkers in the Libraries.
During the past eight years, my family traveled to over fifteen countries in the world. These fantastic trips offered us great opportunities to learn and embrace different languages, customs and cultures. In the blink of an eye, eight years passed and here I am at Purdue again.
I like listening to music, singing, reading and drawing. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends as well as traveling around to see the world.
I am located in STEW 370 and you can reach me via email at wang52@purdue.edu or by phone at 49-47970. |
Purdue Libraries United Way Book Drive to benefit “Read to Succeed”
SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION
