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February 23rd, 2026
Purdue University Archives and Special Collections (ASC) is pleased to announce the digitization of 147 film and audio recordings related to the pioneering work of famed industrial engineers Frank and Dr. Lillian Gilbreth, made possible by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Recordings at Risk” program.
Newly accessible recordings
The recordings are now described and publicly available through ASC’s collections database. They include previously unheard lectures, interviews, and instruction by Dr. Lillian Gilbreth; personal recollections of the Gilbreths; and films showing practical applications of their motion study research in industrial engineering, home economics, agriculture, and more. The recordings span five collections within ASC’s holdings and range from audiocassettes and vinyl records to films and videocassettes, dating back to 1918.
Due to the Gilbreths’ early adoption of photography and film in motion study research and the wide range of fields they examined, the extensive collection of photographs, papers, films, and recordings they donated continues to attract significant national and international research interest. Their previously digitized films receive an average of 2,688 views annually through ASC’s online digital collections database, and their papers are the third-most-used collection. Over the last five years, research using the Gilbreth materials has focused on women’s work, ergonomics, organizational psychology, home economics, and architecture.
Digitizing the recordings
The unique formats, volume, and deteriorated condition of these recordings made digitization cost-prohibitive for ASC. Concerned about the potential loss of these recordings and their significant research value, archivists submitted a proposal to the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Recordings at Risk” program in 2024 and began work on the project in September of that year. Since then, a team of archivists, digitization specialists, and student employees has worked to make these materials accessible by coordinating with specialized vendors, analyzing recording content, conducting quality checks, and creating online descriptions for each item. These efforts ensure both the long-term preservation of the recordings and public access to the materials.
The team responsible for this project includes:
About the Gilbreths
Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Dr. Lillian Moller Gilbreth were early 20th-century industrial engineers and leaders in time and motion study research. Combining engineering and psychology, they developed innovative methods to reduce worker fatigue and improve efficiency, including the development of chronocyclographs to photograph motion and “therbligs” to document basic work elements. Their internationally recognized work was contracted by organizations such as Remingtons, the Red Cross, Macy’s, Johnson & Johnson, and the Girl Scouts, and revolutionized procedures at factories, offices, hospitals, and department stores, contributing to early developments in ergonomics, workplace accommodations, and modern home and kitchen design.
In 1935, Dr. Lillian Gilbreth joined Purdue University as a professor of management with part-time duties in the School of Home Economics, where she taught motion study courses and improved the motion and time study laboratory. She donated the Gilbreths’ research and professional papers to Purdue in 1939, and after her death, her daughter, Ernestine Carey, donated the remaining materials, including dozens of film and audio recordings. This grant supported the digitization of the remaining 65 Gilbreth recordings, along with 82 related items from adjacent Purdue collections.
About Purdue University Archives and Special Collections
Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, housed within Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, aims to support the discovery, learning, and engagement goals of Purdue University by identifying, collecting, preserving, and making available research records and papers of enduring value created or received by the university and its employees.
To learn more, visit lib.purdue.edu/spcol.
Filed under: Archives and Special Collections, general, News and AnnouncementsFebruary 16th, 2026
On February 12, the Knowledge Lab celebrated its third anniversary with an exciting array of activities, including button-making, origami, card-making, and more. These hands-on crafts brought students together for a fun and festive day and provided a perfect opportunity to develop creative thinking skills while exploring new technologies and techniques. The anniversary event highlighted the lab’s mission to expose students to innovative offerings and showcased the lab as a space for exploration, experimentation, and skill-building.
About the lab
Located on the third floor of the Wilmeth Active Learning Center, the Knowledge Lab is a rapid prototyping space where the Purdue community can experiment with exploring and presenting their ideas using various materials, equipment, and software.
The space offers low-stakes resources such as a vinyl cutter, sewing machines, a Riso printer, a podcast booth, a heat press, yarns, cardboard, fabrics, and more. It serves as a first stop within a pipeline of opportunities on campus to actualize an idea and integrate the left-brain and right-brain.
Visit the Knowledge Lab website to learn more, borrow equipment, and view workshops and events.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsJanuary 28th, 2026
During the spring 2025 semester, undergraduate student Kennedi Thomas, now a senior double-majoring in communication and anthropology, collaborated with classmates Rishika Ramakrishnan, Beck Spieth, and Isabel Baron on a semester-long project for the “Designing Technology for People” course (ANTH 384/TECH 220) taught by Sarah Renkert and Shawn Farrington. The class challenged students to apply human-centered design principles by selecting a user group and developing a product that addressed real-world challenges. From a wide range of potential user groups, the team chose to focus on individuals who menstruate.
The goal of the project was to design a product that would reduce challenges and improve the everyday experiences of people who menstruate. While menstruation is a common part of life for many people, it is still surrounded by stigma and often overlooked in design and technology spaces. This made it a meaningful and impactful focus for the team’s work.
The design process
To begin the design process, the group conducted ethnographic research to understand the needs and experiences of their user group. Team members used a variety of approaches, including interviews with family members, personal documentation during menstruation, and observational research. As part of this process, Kennedi accompanied a friend while she purchased menstrual pads, allowing the team to observe the experience and decision-making process in real time.
One of the challenges the group encountered during research was navigating cultural norms and family stigmas surrounding menstruation. Some participants were open and comfortable discussing the topic, while others were more hesitant. The team made a conscious effort to approach these conversations with sensitivity and respect, ensuring that participants felt safe and heard throughout the research process.
After synthesizing their findings, the team identified several key insights. Users emphasized the importance of discrete, non-invasive solutions and expressed concerns about the amount of waste produced during their menstrual cycles. These insights directly informed the team’s design direction.
Creating the prototype
In response, the group developed the concept for a portable cleaning pouch designed to allow users to wash and dry reusable menstrual products discreetly and conveniently in any location. The product aimed to reduce waste while minimizing inconvenience and maintaining privacy for the user.
The team moved from ideation to prototyping in the Knowledge Lab, where they created a low-fidelity prototype of their design. Using materials provided in the space—including fabric, zippers, and buckles—the team constructed a functional pouch that mimicked the intended materials of the final product. Sewing machines in the lab were used to assemble the components, and 3D-printed bristles created by a teammate were incorporated into the design to support the cleaning function.
Competition results
At the end of the semester, all student teams presented their design processes and final products. Kennedi’s team was selected as one of four finalists to compete in the Designing Technology for People Competition. The group ultimately earned first place and was awarded a scholarship in recognition of their thoughtful research, innovative design, and effective use of campus resources such as the Knowledge Lab.
This project highlights how Purdue Libraries’ collaborative spaces empower students to transform research and ideas into tangible solutions. By combining ethnographic research, hands-on prototyping, and access to specialized tools, students are able to design with empathy and create technologies that address real human needs.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsJanuary 28th, 2026
Purdue University Archives and Special Collections (ASC) is excited to announce a new exhibition, “Forms and Functions: A Selection of Materials within Purdue University Archives and Special Collections.” The exhibition showcases the wide variety of items found in archives and explains how archivists classify these materials. It also explores common questions about historical formats and technologies, such as how older media were used and preserved.
About the exhibition
“Forms and Functions” was co-curated by Clinical Assistant Professor and Barron Hilton Archivist for Flight and Space Exploration Jo Otremba, seven archivists, and 11 student employees. The exhibition features materials from more than 40 collections dating from the 15th century to the present day. Items on display are connected to notable individuals such as John Purdue, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, Nobel Prize recipient Herbert Brown, William Henry Harrison, Orville Redenbacher, and illustrators Harold Gray (creator of Little Orphan Annie) and George Wildman (illustrator for Popeye comics), among others. The exhibition provides an overview of the types of materials preserved and made accessible by ASC and reflects the kinds of items archivists and student employees work with daily.
The central focus of “Forms and Functions” is to demonstrate the diversity of archival materials and includes materials from all of ASC’s special collecting areas. Each item on display represents a different collection and a distinct type of material. Exhibit labels use standardized form and genre terms from the Getty Research Institute’s Art & Architecture Thesaurus, which archivists use to describe materials consistently and support discovery and access.
These descriptive terms help researchers explore questions such as:
For ASC’s 11 student employees, “Forms and Functions” served as a hands-on learning experience. Students participated in all stages of development, including selecting materials, writing descriptions, creating labels, and installing the exhibition. Many of the student co-curators are interested in future careers in archives, libraries, or museums, and the exhibition provided mentorship and insight into this area of archival work.
“Forms and Functions” is free and open to the public during ASC’s regular hours, Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM throughout the spring 2026 semester, with modified hours during the summer. The exhibition is located at the Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education (HSSE) Library in Stewart Center and runs until June 26.
For questions, please contact archives@purdue.edu. To view highlights from the exhibition reception on March 5, 2026, visit the Libraries blog.
Acknowledgement
ASC thanks the student employees and archivists whose time, creativity, and expertise made “Forms and Functions” possible. Their collaborative work—from selecting materials to installing the exhibition—was essential to bringing it to life.
The exhibition team includes the following contributors:
January 26th, 2026
On January 21, the ID:EALS webinar series hosted “Medieval Information Literacy: Research Into Practice,” featuring Dr. Kristin Leaman, assistant professor at Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies, and Dr. Andrew (Drew) Whitworth from the University of Manchester. The webinar highlighted how medieval and early modern scholars navigated complex information systems, showing that information literacy has deep historical roots.
Dr. Whitworth discussed how medieval scholars were trained to navigate manuscripts and other premodern sources. He emphasized that information literacy was taught through social and institutional systems, not just individual skill. His talk highlighted the close relationship between information, authority, and power.
Dr. Leaman explored medieval dis- and misinformation using frameworks from Information Science and Book History. Although the terms are modern, misleading and harmful information existed in the Middle Ages, often targeting marginalized communities. She organized her work into two areas—dis- and misinformation during the Middle Ages and about the Middle Ages—with case studies including the Malleus Maleficarum, its role in the western European witch trials, and responses by Reginald Scott and King James I. She also highlighted misreadings of medieval images and weaponized medievalism, the intentional misuse, and distortion of the Middle Ages to serve contemporary political, ideological, or violent agendas. Dr. Leaman emphasized the responsibility medieval scholars have in contextualizing and debunking this form of disinformation and misinformation.
The webinar demonstrated how medieval and early modern information practices continue to shape how knowledge, authority, and disinformation function today. By connecting historical case studies to modern frameworks, the speakers showed the value of studying information literacy across time.
View the talk recording on the Institute for Information Literacy’s website.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsJanuary 8th, 2026
In fall 2025, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies launched a new course, ILS 395: Information Strategies for Using AI, designed to help students engage with artificial intelligence through an information literacy and AI literacy lens. The course emphasized not only how AI tools function, but how to research, evaluate, test, and ethically use AI and its outputs in academic and professional settings.
A core component of the course was a multi-phase, project-based assignment. Students identified an industry-specific problem or opportunity connected to their field of study or career goals and selected an AI tool to address it. They evaluated the tool by reviewing vendor documentation such as privacy policies, training data disclosures, and accessibility statements; testing accuracy, bias, and consistency; and examining broader social, ethical, legal, and environmental implications through stakeholder analysis and risk assessment. The project culminated in a group final presentation.
Student presentations showcased a diverse range of tools and applications, including Zapier for workflow automation and data processing, Google Gemini for data cleaning and analysis, Copilot for recruitment and application automation, and ChatGPT and DALL·E for the restoration and visualization of archaeological artifacts.
Assistant Professor Zoe Mayhook highlighted that when students select and critically evaluate AI tools that meaningfully connect to their disciplines and career interests, they develop practical skills that are readily transferable to real-world settings. Clinical Assistant Professor Jing Lu emphasized that many students are already being asked to use AI in internships and shared that the course helps build confidence not just in using AI tools, but in making informed decisions about when and how to apply them.
Student feedback reflected a shift toward a more balanced understanding of AI, recognizing both its potential and its limitations, along with increased confidence in evaluating tools and identifying bias.
Following its successful pilot, the course has recently been approved as a permanent offering under the new designation ILS 231, with future courses planned for the summer and fall 2026 semesters. Students can also still enroll in the Spring section, which will continue to run under ILS 395 designation in the interim.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 18th, 2025
Students looking for a comfortable and convenient place to study on the Purdue University in Indianapolis location are increasingly turning to the Purdue Student Center Library, located on the second floor of the Student Center (SCPI). The space has quickly become a favorite destination for those seeking a welcoming environment that supports both focused individual work and collaborative projects.
Open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during weekdays, the library is designed to meet a wide range of study needs throughout the day. Whether students are stopping in between classes or settling in for a longer study session, they will find a space that works for them.
A space designed for every kind of study
One of the strengths of the Student Center Library is its variety of seating and workspaces. Visitors can choose from:
In addition, the Student Center offers several reservable study rooms, managed outside of Purdue Libraries, but conveniently located on the first floor—ideal for group discussions or presentation practice. Students can reserve a room on the Purdue Memorial Union website.
Library services
The Student Center Library provides all the same services offered at other Purdue Libraries locations, making it a convenient one-stop resource for students on the Indianapolis campus.
Beginning this spring semester, the library will take on an even more important role:
A growing collection
Although the library’s print collection is currently small, it continues to expand and is supplemented by the Purdue Libraries digital collection. At present, it includes materials that support Cornerstone classes, and plans are in place to continue building the collection in ways that meet the evolving needs of Purdue Indianapolis students and faculty.
The Purdue Student Center Library is a convenient, flexible, and welcoming study environment for the entire campus community. Students are encouraged to stop by, explore the space, and see how it can support their success throughout the semester and beyond.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 18th, 2025
Purdue Libraries is proud to share that two of its spaces were recognized in The Exponent’s recent Readers’ Choice rankings of campus study spaces. The Wilmeth Active Learning Center (WALC) was voted the #1 study space on campus, while Hicks Library earned the #3 spot.
These honors highlight the essential role Purdue Libraries plays in supporting student learning and success. From flexible, technology-rich environments to quiet areas for focused work, WALC and Hicks Library continue to meet the diverse needs of the Purdue community. The rankings reflect not only the quality of the facilities, but also the dedication of the library faculty and staff who work each day to create welcoming, supportive spaces for students.
Purdue Libraries extends its thanks to everyone whose efforts contribute to making these study spaces places students value, trust, and return to again and again.
To learn more about the rankings, readers are encouraged to explore the Readers’ Choice issue of The Exponent.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 18th, 2025
Visitors to the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education (HSSE) Library in Stewart Center will now find a new book display honoring Purdue’s authors next to the Cornerstone Reading Room. The collection, drawn from titles featured during the recent “A Celebration of Books Fall 2025” event, is available for both browsing and checkout, offering a window into the wide-ranging scholarship produced across campus.
Each book in the display carries a distinctive “Purdue Authored Book” sticker on its cover and spine, making it easy to identify books written by Purdue faculty and staff. More than 100 authors are represented, with publications spanning engineering, education, computer science, liberal arts, technology, and the social sciences.
Those stopping by the HSSE Library are encouraged to browse the collection—and perhaps discover their next great read authored right here at Purdue.
To learn more about the December 2025 event, visit our blog.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsDecember 9th, 2025
The Eli Lilly Case Competition is a longstanding component of the Intro to Management and Information Strategies course (MGMT 110) and is organized in collaboration with Libraries assistant professors Zoe Mayhook and Annette Bochenek, Eli Lilly and Company, and the Larsen Leaders Academy Executive Board.
In MGMT 110, students focus on the development of their academic and professional goals while building and sharpening their information-gathering skills by developing systematic methods for finding, evaluating, and presenting information. The Larsen Leaders Academy offers high-achieving business students a community of like-minded peers and professionals dedicated to fostering their natural aptitudes and encouraging their success.
The case competition presents a complex pharmaceutical investment case that requires students to conduct comprehensive business research, including analyzing company financials, evaluating patents and regulatory environments, assessing scientific risks, and examining industry and competitive landscapes and market and consumer profiles. It includes two rounds: an initial virtual presentation round, followed by an in-person, final round for the top six teams. This year, 13 teams competed, six advanced to the final round, and three teams earned top placements.
The teams that earned top placements include:
1st Place:
2nd Place:
3rd Place:
As a member of the 3rd place team, Rafe Cultrara reflected on his experience and said, “Competing in the Eli Lilly Case Competition showed me how strong business decisions depend on high-quality data and well-supported assumptions. As the finance lead, I had to turn uncertainty about the drugs and the market into a clear valuation, which challenged me to think more critically about how information, risk, and strategy come together in real-world decision-making.”
Information literacy is a key component of this case competition. Very little data or information is provided, and students must fill in the gaps with research and informed assumptions. This requires students to spend time locating different types of business information, synthesizing and analyzing their findings, and using that information to make evidence-based decisions and recommendations.
Also reflecting on his experience participating in the competition, first-place team member John Harrell said, “Participating in the Eli Lilly Case Competition was a unique experience that challenged our team to evaluate each potential drug through careful research and informed judgment. With limited information provided, we had to get creative, synthesizing scientific data, assessing market and financial factors, and weighing the risks and benefits of each decision. This experience strengthened our ability to locate and analyze complex information, think critically, and collaborate toward a strategic, evidence-based recommendation.”
A special thank you to Katarina Nikolovski, Hannah Cohen, Maggie Viewegh, Brynna Walthers, Preston Holb, Jorge Alonso Guerrero, Yana Petrova, and Riley Garrison at Eli Lilly and Company for their contributions to this event. We are proud of all the students who participated, and congratulations to the three teams who earned top placements. Well done!
Filed under: general, News and Announcements