Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

New Book on Standards Information Literacy Available Now

October 20th, 2023

A new book co-written and co-edited by Margaret Phillips, associate professor and associate head of the School of Information Studies, will provide best practices for developing a standards information literacy curriculum to prepare students for the workforce. 

Despite the critical role standards play within academia and the workforce, little information is available on the development of standards information literacy, which includes the ability to understand the standardization process; identify types of standards; and locate, evaluate, and use them effectively. Along with experts from Washington State University, the University at Buffalo, and Case Western Reserve University, Phillips provides background information for librarians and other educators on technical standards as well as best practices for collection development.

“This book will help librarians navigate the complex tasks of building a standards information literacy curriculum and developing a standards library collection. These areas are especially important for engineering and engineering technology students as standards are incorporated into their ABET program accreditation requirements,” said Phillips, who serves as Libraries’ liaison to Purdue’s schools of engineering technology, industrial engineering, and nuclear engineering, and serves as the standards librarian. 

The book is published through Purdue University Press as part of the Purdue Information Literacy Handbooks. Paperback and hardcover versions are now available. “As a proud supporter of open access, we are committed to releasing many of the electronic versions of our titles free of charge, including this recent publication by Margaret Phillips et al. Boilermakers can download the full pdf-version through our website,” said Justin Race, director of Purdue University Press. Receive 30% off the retail price when you order directly from Purdue University Press by using the discount code PURDUE30.

About the Authors

Chelsea Leachman is a science and engineering librarian at Washington State University. She liaises with biological systems engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, and materials engineering.

Erin M. Rowley is the head of Science and Engineering Library Services and is the engineering librarian at the University at Buffalo, working with students, faculty, and staff in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Before joining the university, she worked as a corporate research librarian at a consumer products testing laboratory for nearly nine years using standards from around the world on a daily basis.

Margaret Phillips is an engineering information specialist and associate professor in Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, as well as associate head of Information Studies. She is the liaison to the engineering technology, industrial engineering, and nuclear engineering departments, and acts as the standards librarian.

Daniela Solomon is a research and engagement librarian at Case Western Reserve University where she is the liaison to the Case School of Engineering, and manages the on-demand standards service.