Purdue Libraries News

Purdue announces addition of 2 more astronauts' papers to flight collection

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:15:00 EDT

Purdue University's flight archives, already steeped with historical artifacts from U.S. space history, is growing thanks to two alumni astronauts.

Janice Voss and Roy Bridges Jr. donated personal papers to the Purdue Libraries Division of Archives and Special Collections. The papers will join those of astronaut alumni Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, and Eugene Cernan, the most recent person to do so.

Earhart's legacy thrives at Purdue University

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:27:00 EDT

Amelia Earhart continues to inspire Purdue University students today just as she did more than 70 years ago when she coached young women about careers and flew above campus with the plane that would eventually disappear with her over the Pacific Ocean.

"Before Amelia Earhart climbed in the cockpit and captured the world's attention when she embarked on her flight around the world, the famous aviatrix was inspiring hundreds of Purdue students to pursue their dreams and careers," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "She continues to captivate millions, and interest in her has been renewed because of the movie opening this month."

'Purdue's Place in Space: From the Midwest to the Moon' goes online

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:39:00 EDT

An exhibit featuring mementos, artifacts and personal papers from Neil Armstrong, Eugene Cernan and other Purdue University astronaut alumni has gone digital.

Purdue Libraries' Archives and Special Collections, with help from Lockheed Martin, has placed digital images and information online at www.lib.purdue.edu/moon from its entire 136-item exhibit of "Purdue's Place in Space: From the Midwest to the Moon." The display, in the new Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives & Special Collections Research Center on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Library in Stewart Center, is open through Oct. 30.

Purdue revamps Hicks Undergraduate Library

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 13:13:00 EDT

Purdue Libraries has made it easier to access books and materials on campus.

Hicks Undergraduate Library has dispersed entry- and intermediate-level books and materials to disciplinary subject libraries across campus. The change means related subject materials of all levels now can be found together. It also frees space at Hicks to be used for student collaboration.

Purdue exhibit to celebrate 40th anniversary of lunar landing, university's tradition

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:33:00 EDT

Mementos, artifacts and personal papers from Neil Armstrong, Eugene Cernan and other Purdue astronaut alumni will be on display July 20 to Oct. 30 as the university celebrates its rich space heritage and the 40th anniversary of the historic first walk on the moon.

Purdue Libraries' Archives and Special Collections will present the exhibit "Purdue's Place in Space: From the Midwest to the Moon." The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be on display in the new Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives & Special Collections Research Center on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education Library in Stewart Center.

Student filmmakers win top prizes at Purdue's Digital Cinema Contest

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:52:00 EDT

Five students received the top prizes in Purdue's seventh annual Digital Cinema Contest Premiere Night and Awards Ceremony on Thursday (April 23) at the Lafayette Theater.

Awards were given for best documentary, alternative, animated and narrative film, along with a viewer's choice. Best actor, actress, cinematography, sound design, special features and director also were recognized.

Purdue Libraries to extend hours as students prep for finals

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:20:00 EDT

Purdue University Libraries will extend hours at four facilities to help students prepare for final exams.

The John W. Hicks Undergraduate and Siegesmund Engineering libraries will be open around the clock from April 26 through May 9, starting at 11 a.m. Sunday (April 26) and ending at 5 p.m. May 9.

Archives and Special Collections to celebrate opening, Purdue's 140-year history

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 14:39:00 EDT

Purdue Libraries will feature an exhibit of founding father John Purdue and the university's 140-year history during the April dedication of its new Archives and Special Collections center.

The Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center will focus its grand opening around the exhibit, "Portrait of a Founder: John Purdue and Purdue University," which is running from April 3 to July 16. Irena McCammon Scott, Purdue's great-great-grandniece and author of "Uncle: My Journey with John Purdue," will give a lecture that is free and open to the public at 7 p.m. April 21 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. A reception and tours of the new facility will follow the lecture, and these events will serve as the public grand opening for the center.

Literary Reading Series features alumnus in March reading

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:17:00 EST

The Purdue University Literary Reading Series on March 5 will feature a reading with fiction writer and 1997 alumnus Fred Arroyo.

The reading is at 7:30 p.m. in the Krannert Auditorium. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Department of English, the Creative Writing Program and the Latino Cultural Center.

Purdue Libraries' Ask a Librarian service expands online chat

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:55:00 EST

Purdue University Libraries has expanded a feature of its "Ask a Librarian" service, making it more user-friendly to those seeking quick answers on library services.

Patrons are now able to chat with library staff directly from the Libraries' home page at http://www.lib.purdue.edu/. The interface appears in the lower left corner of the page underneath Quick Links and Library Links. Chat is available from 6-10 p.m. Sundays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Digital archive of Debris yearbook joins 'Purdue History in Print' collection on e-Archives

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:08:00 EST

Purdue alumni, friends and historical enthusiasts can now search 122 volumes of the Purdue Debris yearbook online, thanks to an initiative of the Purdue Libraries Archives and Special Collections, the Purdue Alumni Association and the University Development Office.

The project, funded by the alumni association and development office and spearheaded by the Libraries' digital initiatives team, includes more than 56,000 images from the Debris spanning from 1889-2007. The entire collection is keyword-searchable, with the options to search all books or search within a specific year's edition.

Eugene Cernan, most recent to walk on moon, donating papers to Purdue

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:05:00 EST

Eugene A. Cernan, the most recent person to walk on the moon, will soon leave another footprint alongside Neil Armstrong, this time in Purdue University Libraries' Archives and Special Collections.

Cernan, a 1956 Purdue graduate, is donating his personal papers to the university's flight archives, Purdue President France A. Córdova announced Friday (Jan 16). Córdova made the announcement in Houston in an appearance with Cernan. Houston is home to Cernan and to NASA's center for U.S. space flight.

Purdue professor's book selected for inaugural common reading program

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:49:00 EST

A memoir written by a Purdue English professor has been selected as the first book for the university's common reading experience, a program that will be implemented for entering students in the fall.

The selection, "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" by Bich Minh Nguyen, was announced during the Academic Leadership Forum on Tuesday (Jan. 13). A committee made up of 19 faculty, staff and students chose the book from more than 100 selections submitted by the campus community.

Purdue Libraries switching to Library of Congress classification for new materials

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 15:27:00 EST

Purdue Libraries will use the Library of Congress system to classify all new materials added to its collections beginning Jan. 1.

The classification will not affect the more than 2.5 million volumes in the libraries' current collection that are shelved by the Dewey Decimal system, said James L. Mullins, Purdue Libraries dean. The switch will make it easier to view and locate materials, he said.

Purdue Libraries to extend hours as students prepare for semester finals

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 15:03:00 EST

Purdue University Libraries will extend hours at four facilities to help students prepare for their final exams this month.

The John W. Hicks Undergraduate and Siegesmund Engineering libraries will be open around the clock, Dec. 7-20, starting at 11 a.m. Dec. 7 and ending at 5 p.m. Dec. 20.