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May 29th, 2026
Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies is proud to announce that Professor Michael Fosmire has been awarded the prestigious Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award by the Engineering Libraries Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
Established in 1990, the Bernhardt Award recognizes individuals whose sustained contributions, leadership, and scholarship have significantly advanced engineering information services and engineering education. The award honors the legacy of Homer I. Bernhardt, former head of the Bevier Engineering Library at the University of Pittsburgh, whose work left a lasting impact on the profession.
Fosmire’s career reflects nearly three decades of exceptional service, scholarship, and leadership in engineering librarianship. Like Bernhardt, he began his career as a physics librarian before becoming head of the Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Technology Division of Purdue Libraries from 2003 to 2020. Following a Libraries reorganization, he served as the inaugural head of the School of Information Studies from 2020–2024.
One of Fosmire’s most significant service contributions is his 22-year tenure on the editorial board of Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship (ISTL), a leading diamond open-access journal dedicated to STEM librarianship. His long-standing editorial leadership has played a key role in sustaining ISTL as a vital platform for scholarly communication in the field.
Fosmire’s expertise has also been recognized through service on advisory boards for major scientific publishers, including IOP Publishing, the American Institute of Physics, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In these roles, he has contributed to shaping how scientific information is organized, disseminated, and accessed by researchers and students worldwide.
His influence extends to the global stage through his involvement in major international events, including serving on the organizing and planning committees for the 2010 International Association of Scientific and Technical University Libraries (IATUL) conference and the 10th Design Thinking Research Symposium. These efforts highlight his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and connecting engineering librarianship with broader STEM research communities.
A prolific scholar, Fosmire has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and holds a Google Scholar h-index of 16. His research frequently bridges engineering librarianship and engineering education, particularly in understanding how engineers seek and use information. Among his most impactful contributions is the co-edited volume, Integrating Information into the Engineering Design Process, created in collaboration with then Head of the School of Engineering Education, David Radcliffe. The book remains an influential resource for both librarians and educators.
Fosmire has also made substantial contributions through ASEE, publishing 22 peer-reviewed papers in ASEE-sponsored journals and conference proceedings. His work has earned multiple honors, including two Engineering Libraries Division Best Publication Awards, an ASEE PIC IV Best Paper Award, and the 2023 University of Washington iSchool Distinguished Alumni Award.
Beyond his scholarship and service, Fosmire’s leadership and mentorship have had a lasting impact on the profession. Over the course of his career, he has mentored numerous engineering librarians who have gone on to receive major professional honors and assume leadership roles within ASEE and beyond. His mentorship has helped shape future generations of leaders in engineering librarianship, amplifying his influence across the field.
Michael Fosmire’s distinguished career exemplifies the spirit of the Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award. His sustained commitment to advancing engineering librarianship, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring future leaders has strengthened the profession and continues to inspire colleagues across the globe.
Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies extends its sincere congratulations to Professor Fosmire on this well-deserved recognition.
View the full announcement on the OSF website.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsMay 5th, 2026
At a recent Open Forum for AI talk at Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies, Dr. Sayeed Choudhury framed a central tension shaping the future of AI: it’s not just about building more powerful systems—it’s about who gets to shape them, and how open that process really is.
He began by grounding AI in a familiar idea—infrastructure. Just like the internet, AI isn’t a single tool but an ecosystem built through a balance of industry, academia, and government. Right now, he argued, that balance is off. The private sector is moving fast and investing heavily, but without enough counterweight from public and academic institutions, the long-term direction of AI risks becoming too narrow.
That’s where the Open Forum for AI (OFAI) comes in. Rather than a formal organization, it’s a loose, global network of collaborators working across research, policy, technical prototypes, and community engagement. The goal is breadth over depth—connecting insights across domains to build a more holistic view of AI systems and their impacts.
A major theme was what “open” actually means in AI. In software, open source has a clear definition: the freedom to use, study, modify, and share—but AI complicates that. Models depend not just on code, but on training data and model weights—components that are often difficult or impossible to fully share due to privacy, scale, or legal constraints. Choudhury emphasized that openness in AI isn’t all-or-nothing; it exists on a spectrum, and transparency about data and methods is just as important as access.
He also pushed back on the idea that bigger is always better. While massive foundation models dominate headlines, there’s growing evidence that smaller, more specialized models—often open—can be just as effective, especially when combined in agent-based systems. This shift mirrors earlier trends in computing: from centralized systems to more distributed, flexible approaches.
Ultimately, the talk returned to a simple but unresolved idea: openness isn’t just a technical choice—it’s a design principle with real consequences. Making AI more transparent, participatory, and accountable may slow things down in the short term. But without that balance, the systems being built today could define access, power, and knowledge in ways that are hard to undo.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsMay 5th, 2026
Libraries and School of Information Studies is proud to celebrate the outstanding work of students in the Information Studies minor, whose research was featured at the 2026 Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference.
This year, eleven ILS research projects were presented by twenty-five undergraduate students, highlighting the depth and diversity of inquiry within the field of information studies. From conducting systematic reviews of business education, to analyzing how social media strategies can encourage exercise, to exploring the relationship between information-seeking behaviors and information literacy, our students tackled timely and impactful topics that shape how we understand and use information in everyday life.
In addition to individual presentation awards, the Libraries and School of Information Studies also recognizes outstanding overall contributions through the ILS Award, presented to student projects that exemplify excellence in research, creativity, and engagement with information studies themes. This year’s recipients stood out for their strong scholarly impact and meaningful exploration of complex, real-world information challenges.
These projects not only demonstrate strong research skills, but also reflect the creativity and critical thinking that define the ILS community. We are thrilled to see our students contributing meaningful insights across such a wide range of areas.
Together, these projects reflect the strength of the Minor in Information Studies and the collaborative mentorship that supports student success. We extend our gratitude to the faculty mentors who guided this work and helped students bring their ideas to life.
As information continues to shape every aspect of our world, the curiosity and innovation demonstrated by these students highlight the importance of information studies in addressing complex, real-world challenges. We look forward to seeing how these emerging scholars continue to grow, contribute, and lead in the field.
Congratulations again to all of our ILS student researchers!
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsMay 4th, 2026
Purdue Libraries hosted its annual student awards banquet on April 27 in Stewart Center, celebrating the achievements and contributions of this year’s student scholarship and award recipients. Students were invited to attend alongside a guest, supervisor, or advisor, bringing together over 40 attendees. Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner while connecting with fellow students, donors, and members of Libraries administration in a celebratory atmosphere.
The evening featured remarks from Associate Dean for Learning and W. Wayne Booker Chair in Information Literacy Clarence Maybee, Associate Dean for Collections and Access Rebecca Richardson, and Information Studies Department Head Jane Yatcilla. Throughout the program, student award recipients were invited to share brief reflections on their experiences working in and with the Libraries.
A special highlight of the evening was the presence of Joy M. Matson, donor of the Joy M. Matson Scholarship, who had the opportunity to meet and connect with this year’s recipient..
The recipients of this year’s awards include:
Students shared how these awards are helping shape their futures:
“This scholarship helps me pursue my dream of becoming an archivist.”
—Roma Koroneos, history student and Dorothy Newby McCaw Scholarship recipient
“It gives me the opportunity to keep studying and working toward my goals.”
—Sarah Sewell, computer engineering student and Dr. Albert Viton Scholarship recipient
“As a first-generation college student, this award means a lot to me.”
—Eric Xie, mechanical engineering student and Joy M. Matson Scholarship recipient
Purdue Libraries extends its congratulations to all awardees for their outstanding contributions. Their dedication and hard work continue to make a meaningful impact across the Libraries community.
To learn more about Libraries student scholarships, visit the Libraries website.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsApril 30th, 2026
PurdueTHINK team members Aryan Bakshi (sophomore, computer science), Bradan Lenz (freshman, industrial engineering), Ashwin Parab (sophomore, mechanical engineering), and Layla Schumacher (freshman, industrial engineering) partnered with Purdue Libraries during the spring 2026 semester to explore how students interact with library spaces, services, and digital platforms—and how those experiences can be improved through thoughtful, data-informed design. Working as a team and alongside their mentor, Dean Emerita and Esther Ellis Norton Professor of Library Science Beth McNeil, students analyzed Instagram engagement data, evaluated user experience across library websites, and studied physical navigation challenges to identify real opportunities for improvement.
Throughout the project, collaboration with Libraries staff played a central role in shaping both the process and the outcome. As team lead Bakshi reflected, “Working with Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies this semester was an incredibly meaningful experience for our team. What stood out most was how collaborative, thoughtful, and helpful everyone was throughout the project…I can confidently say that without the staff making everything so seamless, our deliverables would not have finished with the incredible quality they did.”
Deliverables
The result was a set of practical deliverables, including updated signage concepts, a marketing strategy, the OpenSeat web-based app, and a comprehensive website improvement plan for Purdue Libraries’ digital ecosystem.
Signage improvements
The team developed updated signage concepts focused on clarity, consistency, and wayfinding. These recommendations aim to make it easier for students to navigate library spaces—especially during high-traffic academic periods.
Marketing strategy (Informed by Instagram Data)
By analyzing Instagram engagement data, the team identified what types of content resonate most with students. These insights informed a marketing strategy designed to improve visibility of library services and make communications more relevant, accessible, and engaging.
OpenSeat website
OpenSeat was designed to solve a common student challenge: finding available study space. The platform helps users quickly identify open seating across library locations, reducing time spent searching and supporting a smoother study experience.
Schumacher shared her perspective on this work, noting: “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Purdue Libraries on our semester-long project. The support from Library staff allowed us to learn, grow, and create high quality deliverables. I am excited to see how OpenSeat and the new signage will ease the student and staff’s library experience, and how the marketing plan and data will increase engagement.”
Website improvement plan
Beyond individual tools, the team also created a broader website improvement plan for Libraries. This included recommendations for improving navigation, user experience, content structure, and accessibility—making digital resources easier to discover and use.
Lenz reflected on the collaboration behind this work: “Working with Purdue Libraries on our PurdueTHINK project this semester has been an awesome experience…With their help, our team was able to create a project that we’re proud of… Above all else, the highlight of our experience working with Libraries staff was their kindness and generosity. We could not have asked for a better experience.”
Parab also highlighted the value of cross-department collaboration in this work: “One of the most valuable parts of this project was the opportunity to collaborate with individuals across so many different departments within Purdue Libraries. Everyone we met was incredibly open to our ideas and willing to engage with a fresh perspective. That level of collaboration made it possible for us to develop thoughtful, impactful recommendations, and we’re really proud of how the project turned out.”
Project impact
Libraries will use these deliverables as a foundation for ongoing improvements. The signage recommendations will inform future updates to wayfinding across library locations, while the marketing insights will help shape more effective, student-centered communication strategies. The OpenSeat website will continue to be explored as a tool to improve access to study spaces, and the website improvement plan will guide future enhancements to navigation, usability, and accessibility across library web platforms.
This project demonstrates how data, design thinking, and student collaboration can translate into meaningful improvements for the Libraries experience. By combining user research, Instagram analytics, and hands-on design work, the PurdueTHINK team was able to identify real pain points and develop practical solutions that support both physical and digital library spaces.
Reflecting on her time working with the PurdueTHINK team, McNeil said, “Working with Purdue students is always a pleasure and the Spring 2026 PurdueTHINK team excelled! Aryan, Ashwin, Bradan, and Layla were terrific to work with—responsive, focused, thoughtful, and creative. Their engagement with library users and library staff made for a terrific project with excellent recommendations.”
Together, these efforts reflect a commitment to turning student insight into action—ensuring that improvements are not only identified, but thoughtfully implemented to better serve the Purdue community.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsApril 27th, 2026
Purdue University Libraries, as part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Center for Library Programs collaborative effort, is pleased to share an Open Publishing Agreement with Wiley that provides open publishing opportunities for affiliated corresponding authors through December 31, 2027, while maintaining full read access to Wiley’s journal portfolio.
This new agreement reflects the consortium’s ongoing commitment to advancing open, accessible scholarship while ensuring sustainable access to high-quality research for faculty, students, staff, and researchers.
Continued Support for Open Access Publishing
Under the new agreement, eligible corresponding authors affiliated with all Purdue University locations may continue to publish an unlimited number of open access articles in Wiley’s hybrid OA journals without paying article processing charges (APCs) for articles editorially accepted and author agreement completed by December 31, 2027. Additionally, a limited number of APCs for Wiley’s gold OA journals will be available to eligible corresponding authors. Articles submitted to Wiley gold journals are guaranteed to be covered if submitted by August 31, 2026.
The Alliance remains committed to maintaining sustainable, fair, open access publishing that balances the real costs of scholarly publishing. Authors should consult their campus library for assistance in navigating their publishing options.
Continued Read Access to the Full Wiley Journal Portfolio
In addition to publishing benefits, the extended contract provides the Purdue University System with:
Purdue Publishing Savings and Impact
Since 2022, authors from all three Purdue University campuses have published 1,096 open access articles with Wiley, advancing the global accessibility of their research. Through participation in read and publish agreements with Wiley, Purdue University has achieved an estimated $4,197,875 in savings on article processing charges, underscoring the significant financial and scholarly impact of its commitment to open access publishing.
Learn More
Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact the following for guidance on eligibility, journal coverage, and publishing under the agreement.
April 27th, 2026
On April 22, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies hosted “A Celebration of Books Spring 2026” to honor Purdue authors who published books throughout the spring 2026 semester. This event spotlighted more than 50 authors whose scholarship spans the full spectrum of academic disciplines—from engineering and education to philosophy, technology, and the arts.
Sunil Prabhakar, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, shared formal remarks recognizing the authors’ achievements and the importance of scholarship. The program also featured five Purdue authors who shared insights into their latest works and the journeys behind them:
Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while reconnecting and networking with colleagues across campus. Authors were greeted with corsages and a display of posters featuring the book covers, creating an interactive space where authors could sign their work for fellow guests.
“A Celebration of Books Spring 2026” showcased the power of ideas, the persistence of research, and the enthusiasm of a campus committed to discovery. The event served as a meaningful reminder of the enduring value of books and the people who create them.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsApril 21st, 2026
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape research, industry, and everyday life, an important question remains: who is shaping AI—and for whom? A special upcoming talk invites you to be part of that conversation.
On Friday, May 1, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM in WALC 2007, Dr. Sayeed Choudhury will present “Open Forum for AI (OFAI),” an engaging session on building a more open and human-centered future for AI. Choudhury is associate dean for digital infrastructure and director of the Open Source Programs Office (OSPO) at Carnegie Mellon Libraries.
Attendees will learn about:
Whether you’re a student curious about AI, a researcher exploring new directions, or a practitioner interested in open innovation, this session offers a unique opportunity to engage with forward-thinking ideas and initiatives shaping the future of AI. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a leader in the field and connect with a broader movement toward transparent, inclusive, and responsible AI.
Bio: Dr. Sayeed Choudhury is Associate Dean for Digital Infrastructure and Director of the Open Source Programs Office (OSPO) at Carnegie Mellon Libraries, as well as Executive Director of the Open Forum for AI. He is also an affiliated faculty with the Block Center for Technology and Society and the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. His work focuses on open-source ecosystems, digital infrastructure, and the development of human-centered approaches to data and AI.
Choudhury has held leadership roles in numerous national and international initiatives, including work supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and service on boards and advisory committees such as the Open Source Initiative and the Research Data Alliance. He has also contributed to major national policy and advisory efforts, including appointments and service with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and federal advisory groups focused on data and digital preservation.
Previously, he held senior roles at Johns Hopkins University, where he helped lead digital infrastructure and curation efforts and launched one of the first university OSPOs in the United States. His work has been supported by major funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and he has published widely on digital curation, open systems, and data infrastructure while speaking internationally on open science and technology policy.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsApril 10th, 2026
On April 9, Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies held its annual awards celebration, honoring the outstanding achievements and dedication of its faculty and staff. The event recognized individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional service, innovation, and commitment over the past year.
The recipients of this year’s awards are as follows:
Dagnese Award for Excellence in Service
John H. Moriarty Award for Excellence in Library Service
Dean’s Individual Award
Dean’s Team Award
James L. Mullins Award for Outstanding Contributions
Award for Excellence in Teaching
Award for Excellence in Research
Congratulations to all the award recipients, and thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to the success and mission of Purdue Libraries and the School of Information Studies. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated. To learn more about each award, visit the Libraries website.
Filed under: general, News and AnnouncementsApril 8th, 2026
On April 7, Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies hosted its first annual Digital Humanities (DH) Day, bringing together students, faculty, and researchers for a morning of engaging presentations, thoughtful discussion, and community building. Held in Stewart Center, the half-day event showcased the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of digital humanities work across campus.
The student panel included students enrolled in the certificate program and highlights a wide range of innovative projects spanning disciplines such as literature, communication, linguistics, history, anthropology, and education. Presenters explored topics including digital approaches to language and culture, historical analysis through computational methods, and emerging questions around technology’s role in shaping research and society. A Q&A session followed, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with presenters and discuss their methods and findings.
The students who presented include::
The event concluded with a keynote address by Ryan Cordell, associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In his talk, “Anemoia, AI, and Skeuomorphism: The Material Turn in Digital Humanities,” Cordell examined the growing interest in analog and tactile practices—such as printing presses and typewriters—as a response to today’s increasingly AI-driven digital landscape. He emphasized how these hands-on approaches can deepen critical engagement with digital tools, highlighting the importance of human choice, design, and agency in technological environments.
DH Day 2026 underscored the vibrancy of DH scholarship at Purdue, fostering meaningful conversations about the intersection of technology, humanities research, and creative practice. The event not only celebrated student work but also encouraged ongoing collaboration and exploration within the DH community.
Filed under: general, News and Announcements