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From the Dean
Know the Libraries
The word "changing" is often used to describe today's libraries, for both the perception and the reality of the library field are experiencing transformations. Such transformations are increasingly apparent in the Purdue University Libraries.
From nearly any location on the West Lafayette campus in the 1970's, you were just steps away from one of the 28 libraries. Each library placed subject-related books and journals close to primary users, and each library provided space for use of the collections, as well as access to librarians knowledgeable in the literatures of the discipline.
Today, while the libraries have been consolidated into 14 locations, the emergence of electronic access places you even closer to collections, services, and experts. Electronic access brings the catalog as well as journals, theses, dissertations, archival materials and more, to your computer screen, whether you are on campus, at home, or anywhere in the world. It also enables you to communicate with highly trained librarians and staff who answer questions, provide guidance to collections and information resources, and assist with effective use of the vast array of information that is available and accessible through the physical and the virtual Purdue libraries.
The Libraries faculty teach both in the classroom and "one-to-one" in person and on-line.
Virtual access to information will increase in the future as a distributed institutional repository, now under development, will permit storage, organization, access, and use of massive data sets of research results in disciplines ranging from biomedical engineering to remote sensing to the social sciences.
The Libraries faculty are committed to advancing knowledge through disciplinary and interdisciplinary research.
But, even in a world becoming increasingly oriented toward virtual access, the physical library continues as a vital and critical academic resource. The Purdue Libraries' locations serve not only as a resource for information but also as a classroom, workplace, or quiet space for group study and work. They are places for individual reflection and offer opportunities for consultation with the Libraries' professors of library science who are committed to the University's goal of information literacy.
Paralleling the University's vision of a dynamic interdisciplinary environment of discovery and learning, the Libraries' facilities are being designed to support this culture. New concepts in physical information retrieval will be incorporated into the facilities. Technologies such as high-density storage and robotic retrieval for publications and documents will allow for the conversion of space previously dedicated to shelving into locations for innovative learning and group study, and provide increased space for open stacks for access to more heavily used collections.
The values of the Purdue University Libraries, like those of the University itself, are rooted in the basic traditions of higher education: democracy, inclusiveness, and accessibility. Fair and equal access to information is a hallmark of the Purdue University Libraries. Linked to this is the Libraries' core value of preserving intellectual freedom and privacy of information. Respect and appreciation for all members of the University community are demonstrated in the inclusiveness, collegiality, and collaboration which characterize the Libraries' culture. Members of the Libraries faculty and staff value continuous learning and, by ensuring the competency of information literacy, support innovation and exploration by all users.
Daily, the Libraries faculty and staff express our commitment to user-centered service and to the preservation of the intellectual and cultural record. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of personal and professional behavior, and act with integrity in all we do.
The mission of the Purdue University Libraries is to foster a dynamic information environment that advances learning, discovery, and engagement.
Learning The Libraries faculty and staff apply sound pedagogical approaches to create innovative and effective learning experiences which foster the core competencies of critical thinking, communication skills, information literacy, information technology, and methods of inquiry. These competencies are integrated into disciplinary learning through collaborative efforts with colleagues engaged in teaching.
Discovery The Libraries faculty and staff are grounded in the principles and practices of library and information science, and of specialized information-related disciplines. They bring their library science expertise to collaborative initiatives with colleagues in other fields to more effectively undertake interdisciplinary research which expands the realm of knowledge.
Engagement Contributions to the engagement mission of the University arise from the Libraries’ strength in support of learning and discovery, and a commitment to help meet the information needs of the residents of Indiana.
In support of all these activities, the Libraries seek to:
The Purdue University Libraries will achieve preeminence as an innovative and creative research university library in meeting the challenge of the Information Age.
The Purdue Libraries will be the definitive place to go, physically and virtually, for information that fosters learning and discovery. The Libraries will be physically represented through four or five interdisciplinary community centers, with additional specialized centers and service points located throughout the campus; all of which will be designed to connect users with resources and services without constraints of time, location, or format. The Libraries' virtual presence will be enhanced by integration into the University learning and discovery environment. Libraries and disciplinary faculty will increasingly collaborate in a comprehensive information literacy curriculum designed to prepare students to succeed in their academic programs, their careers, and their lifelong enrichment. Libraries faculty and staff will be involved as essential members of interdisciplinary research teams and will continue to contribute to the national research agenda for library and information science. The Purdue Libraries will be recognized for leadership in advancing innovation within academic librarianship. The focus on service, collaboration, and research will result in innovative products that will serve as models for libraries worldwide. The intellectual, economic, and cultural lives of individuals and communities will be enhanced by the Libraries' engagement activities locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
Learning: Information literacy Advance learning with information literacy initiatives and further the University's learning goal with focused collections and information resources.
Metrics: Longitudinal scores from Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy Assessment testing. Evidence of inclusion of information literacy in college/department strategic plans and other documentation (websites, syllabi, etc.) LibQUAL+ results on questions related to access to and use of information resources, when next administered in Fall 2008. Extent of use of the Libraries information literacy resources (CORE, GS175, Libraries faculty collaboration with teaching faculty)
Discovery: Interdisciplinary research Further the University's discovery goal by providing information resources and applying library science expertise to interdisciplinary research.
Metrics: Number of collaborative grant proposals Number of Libraries faculty participating in collaborative or sponsored research Number of presentations at conferences and publications resulting from interdisciplinary research Funding of sponsored research Satisfaction with collections as measured by LibQUAL+ when next administered in Fall 2008. New funding allocated for interdisciplinary research
Engagement: Enhanced quality of life Apply specialized knowledge and information resources to collaboratively address challenges and to enhance the intellectual, economic, and cultural life of individuals and communities at the local, state, and national levels, and internationally.
Metrics: Participation in K-12 collaborative programs New collaborative programs with academic libraries in Indiana Number of requests for information from Indiana businesses Public and media recognition for achievements in engagement Number of new services that directly impact the public
Infrastructure: Alignment Align facilities, services, information technology, administration, faculty and staff with the University’s learning, discovery and engagement goals and key overarching strategies.
Metrics: Door count: number of visits. Funding raised to support facility expansion and renovation. Reduced number of Libraries’ facilities Enhancement of environment within Libraries facilities LibQUAL+ results relating to service and facilities, when next administered in Fall, 2008. Number and quality of new programs, services, and initiatives created. Use of Libraries' collections and information resources Use of Libraries website Diversity of the Libraries faculty and staff
The Libraries' selection of peer institutions for benchmarking purposes begins with the characteristics and institutions identified by the University. Data from the libraries in this group form a basis for comparison regarding widely-shared elements of university libraries. The Libraries' vision of achieving preeminence as an innovative and creative research university library leads to the inclusion of several peers which have demonstrated this preeminence. In addition to the following list, the Libraries will also determine a number of peers against which to benchmark particular Purdue libraries.
The following institutions are included due to their innovative and creative leadership in research university librarianship.
Purdue University Libraries, Strategic Plan, 2006-2011
Approved by Provost Sally Mason and President Martin C. Jischke, July 25th, 2006.