From insight to impact: PurdueTHINK x Purdue Libraries

April 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.

BTAA Finalizes 2026–2027 Open Access Publishing Agreement with Wiley 

April 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: 

• Unlimited reading access to the full Wiley journal portfolio 
• Perpetual access rights to subscribed content obtained during the agreement period 

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. 

• Purdue University: Nina Collins 
• Purdue Northwest: Joseph Coates 
• Purdue Fort Wayne: Erika Mann 

A Celebration of Books Spring 2026 recap

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:

• Christian Butzke, Professor of Food Science (HHS)
  • Author of “Wine Appreciation”
• Abigail Engelberth, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (Engineering)
  • Author of “Clear and Concise: Technical Writing for Biological Engineers”
•  Beth McNeil, Professor, Information Studies, Libraries
  • Co-Author of “Championing Change for Global Marginalized Librarians”
• Barry Pittendrigh, John V. Osmun Endowed Chair in Urban Entomology Professor (Ag)
  • Co-Author of “The Right to Knowledge: A Learning-Systems Approach for the Sustainable Development Goals” 
• Torsten Reimer, Professor and Director of the College of Liberal Arts Research Academy (Liberal Arts)
  • Author of “The Routledge Handbook of Communication and Social Cognition”

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. 

You’re invited: Open Forum for AI (OFAI) talk by Dr. Sayeed Choudhury 

April 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:

• The growing international network behind OFAI, spanning partners across the U.S., Europe, and Asia
• Current working groups advancing open and ethical AI practices
• Plans for an upcoming workshop focused on developing an open technology stack for AI

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.

Recap: 2026 Libraries Annual Awards 

April 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

• Doug Rice
• Patricia Swanson

John H. Moriarty Award for Excellence in Library Service

• Sarah Huber

Dean’s Individual Award

• Sarah Reifel

Dean’s Team Award

• Neil A. Armstrong Papers Project Team
  • Neal Harmeyer
  • Cliff Harrison
  • Jo Otremba
  • Ben Parnin
• Events Team
  • Ashley Fawcett
  • Jacenda Gilman
  • Mandi Gramelspacher
  • Rachel Hensley
  • Phil Kolb
  • Caroline Yoder

James L. Mullins Award for Outstanding Contributions

• Dean Lingley

Award for Excellence in Teaching

• Wei Zakharov

Award for Excellence in Research

• Melissa Chomintra

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. 

Highlights from Digital Humanities Day 2026

April 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::

• Diana Torres Arias, Comparative Literature
• Loizos Bitsikokos, Communication
• Lane Matthew Bradley, Communication
• Marlene Burtscher, Linguistics
• Priya Makarand Dabak, Curriculum and Instruction
• Daeun Kang, Linguistics
• EmmaRose Milburn, Anthropology and History
• Kostiantyn Moharychev, History

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.

Experiential education with Executives in Residence: Designing an escape room

April 8th, 2026

Students of Michael Witt recently collaborated with public safety leader and Purdue alumna Amy Hess to design and build an investigative-themed escape room as part of the Executive in Residence (EiR) program. The EiR program—part of Residential Academic Initiatives within University Residences—brings distinguished alumni back to live on campus and mentor students, participate in classroom discussions, and share insights from their careers.

Director Hess graduated from Purdue in 1989 and worked for 29 years in various roles for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), from special agent to executive assistant director, including the investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing and capture of Timothy McVeigh in 1995. She is currently the executive director of homeland security for the state of Kentucky. 

Witt, a professor in Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies, works with many of the visiting executives to create experiential education opportunities for the students in the Engineering in the World of Data Learning Community, such as last month’s escape room.

In her consultation with Witt and his students, Hess presented four types of cases that she worked on in her career that might be suitable for an escape room: robbery, domestic terrorism, ransomware attacks, and kidnapping.

What scenario did the students choose for their escape room?

Purdue Pete and the men’s basketball coach, Matt Painter, have been kidnapped! Much of the team’s recent success on the court could be attributed to the development of PeteGPT—an artificial intelligence tool that can predict what plays an opposing team will run in a game. A ransom note demands the source code to PeteGPT or else the kidnappers will compel Painter to switch teams and coach for rival Indiana University. The consequences for Purdue Pete are unclear but equally ominous.

Following the engineering design process

The students elected a team leader and proceeded to apply the engineering design process to the challenge: defining the problem, brainstorming different designs, selecting a design to develop into a prototype, and then iterating to evaluate and optimize it. In the course of doing research for the project, the team visited Mission: Breakout Lafayette and played two of their escape rooms to gather ideas and work together from a shared experience. They were also able to interview the owner and game room designer, Eric Simons, and to continue to consult with Hess as they developed the storyline and design for their escape room.

“It was energizing,” Hess said about the collaboration. “It was so fun to watch them put together puzzles that other people could solve.”

Students took the initial concept and developed it into a fully immersive experience, incorporating clues, red herrings, and misleading leads to mirror the complexity of real investigations. Hess noted that solving investigative puzzles rarely happens quickly or easily, making the students’ thoughtful design and attention to detail especially impressive.

Although Hess provided guidance and shared insights from her career, she emphasized that the students did the hard work of designing the narrative, building the puzzles, and bringing the escape room to life. For her, the most rewarding part of the experience was seeing how the students transformed a simple investigative scenario into a complex and engaging challenge.

Staff from University Residences and Libraries and School of Information Studies participated in a playtest of the team’s prototype before the escape room opened for two days for other students in the learning community to play.

It’s not all fun and games

The experience was “more fun than a barrel of monkeys,” said Witt, “but it’s important to emphasize the pedagogy behind the fun we were having.” He outlined and incorporated learning objectives for both the design team and the students who played the escape room. “My students took ownership of the project and made all of the important decisions in the process. They started with eight different ideas and narrowed it down to one that they developed and successfully implemented.” 

The escape room project is one example of experiential education and a growing movement at Purdue to enable students to gain knowledge and skills through direct experience, the application of theory to practice, and reflection. Residential Academic Initiatives and EiR Director Bryan Austin explains, “While it’s fun on the surface, this kind of experiential learning helps students connect what they’re learning with the real-world insights and experiences of our visiting executives.”

Learning objectives for the design team:

• Apply the engineering design process to a real system by designing, prototyping, testing, evaluating, and delivering an escape room
• Identify and utilize the individual strengths & expertise of team members, in particular, Director Hess
• Assert ownership, lead, collaborate, and communicate effectively as a team to plan & manage the project to a successful conclusion
• Apply lessons learned from the experience (e.g., the joys & frustrations of engineering) to future opportunities and professional practice

Learning objectives for players:

• Apply skills learned from class to identify & solve problems, in particular, related to data science & AI
• Demonstrate effective team communication
• Establish efficient role differentiation and collaborative decision-making
• Reflect on strengths of performance and opportunities for improvement

Samantha LeGrand, Jing Lu, and Zoeanna Mayhook receive National Instruction Section (IS) Innovation Award

April 7th, 2026

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies faculty Samantha LeGrand, Jing Lu, and Zoeanna Mayhook have been honored with the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Instruction Section (IS) Innovation Award, recognizing creative and impactful approaches to information literacy. The trio received the award for their Partners for Algorithmic Literacy (PAL) project, an initiative that pairs instructors and students to design meaningful, collaborative approaches to teaching and learning about AI and algorithmic systems.

Presented by  Instruction Section, the award celebrates projects that demonstrate innovative and effective methods in information literacy instruction and programming. Nicole LaMoreaux, Chair of the IS Innovation Award Committee, praised the project’s strong emphasis on collaboration and its thoughtful integration of AI into human learning.

In response to the recognition, the awardees shared, “PAL has created a venue for open dialogue within the neutral third space of the library through a partnership pedagogy model. Bringing students and instructors together as co-learners fosters mutual understanding and collaborative problem-solving around the opportunities and tensions AI presents in the classroom. We look forward to continuing this work and encourage others to approach AI literacy through a partnership lens.”

PAL reflects Purdue Libraries’ continued leadership in advancing information literacy in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, helping prepare learners to critically engage with emerging tools and systems.

For more details and a full list of award recipients, visit the ALA website.

 Highlights from Celebration of Teaching 2026

April 6th, 2026

Celebration of Teaching is an event that recognizes the achievements of Libraries, University, and external teaching award winners from the 2025–26 academic year. This year, 13 Libraries and School of Information Studies faculty members presented lightning talks on their innovative teaching methods, and 10 award winners were recognized at the event for their contributions to teaching.

The following people presented at this year’s celebration:

• Kirstin Leaman, Codicology and Curation: Describing the Medieval Book
• Adriana Harmeyer, Beyond the Binding: Beyond the Classroom: Exhibition Curation as Course Output
• Samantha LeGrand, Information Studies Research Accelerator Learning Community: Instructor and Student Perspectives on the New LC
• Annette Bochenek, Case-Based Learning with Primary Sources: A Pan Am Archival Case Study
• Chao Cai, Building a High-Enrollment Course Through Community, Research, and Online Learning
• Bert Chapman, SCLA 509 Strategic Intelligence Organizations, Technologies, Procedures, Policies
• Melissa Chomintra, ILS 230 and AI: God Save the Queen Diva
• Neal Harmeyer, Reflections on ILS 132: Introduction to Museums and Archives
• Sarah Huber, Creative Formats: Making Knowledge
• Jo Otremba and Wayne Hastings, Fostering Gen Z Student Curiosity and Engagement in the Archives
• Innocensia Owuor, Honors Contract in Introduction to GIS (ILS 250): Enhancing Student Learning and Career Development
• Michael Witt, Experiential Learning With Executives in Residence: Escape Room Episode
• Jerilyn Tinio, Stewarding Student Life Histories: A Data Literacy Fellows Program

This year’s teaching award winners were also recognized, including:

Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Awards Program

The Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Awards Program fosters continued excellence of teaching and learning, and facilitates the development of faculty members’ teaching potential. Junior fellows’ goals are to improve their teaching and develop mentorship skills in the program, and senior fellows are tasked with mentoring junior fellows and working with them to craft a plan that will help them to grow as educators.

Junior fellows: Victoria Dawkins, Rachel Fundator, Innocensia Owuor | 2024 awardees honored: Chao Cai, Thomas Gerrish, Wei Zakharov

Senior fellow: Bethany McGowan

Teaching Leadership Award

The Teaching Leadership Award aims to foster a culture of teaching excellence and leadership by supporting instructors in designing and implementing developmental activities within their respective departments.

Recipient: Samantha LeGrand

Libraries Teaching Award Winners

Recipients: Melissa Chomintra, Michael Witt

Celebration of Teaching provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with faculty across the unit, gain insights into their innovative teaching efforts, and honor the well-deserved award recipients. It was a memorable event highlighting the dedication and passion driving education forward.

You’re invited: Digital Humanities Day hosted by Libraries and School of Information Studies on Tuesday, April 7

March 25th, 2026

You’re invited to join us for Digital Humanities (DH) Day, hosted by Libraries and School of Information Studies, on Tuesday, April 7. The event will run from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, with a featured talk at 10:30 AM in Stewart Center, Room 202.

This half-day conference celebrates creative and critical approaches to digital scholarship. Topics will range from online discourses around AI and disability to reconstructing complex networks of historical diplomacy and bilingual education.

Agenda

• 8:30 AM: Welcome and networking, refreshments provided
• 9:00–10:00 AM: Student presentations by DH certificate candidates
  • Diana Torres Arias, Comparative Literature
  • Loizos Bitsikokos, Communication
  • Lane Matthew Bradley, Communication
  • Marlene Burtscher, Linguistics
  • Priya Makarand Dabak, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Cathy Kerton-Johnson, History
  • Daeun Kang, Linguistics
  • EmmaRose Milburn, Anthropology and History
  • Kostiantyn Moharychev, History
• 10:00–10:15 AM: Student Q&A
• 10:15–10:30 AM: Break
• 10:30–11:30 AM: Keynote address by Ryan Cordell

This year’s keynote speaker, Associate Professor Ryan Cordell (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), will present “Anemoia, AI, and Skeuomorphism: The Material Turn in Digital Humanities.” His talk explores a growing interest in analog and “dead media” practices—such as printing presses, typewriters, and other tactile forms—as a response to today’s increasingly AI-driven digital landscape. Rather than resisting technology, this “material turn” highlights hands-on, creative practices as a way to think critically about digital tools and emphasize human choice, design, and agency.

We hope you’ll join us for a morning of ideas, discussion, and community!

About Ryan Cordell

Ryan Cordell is an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences and Department of English at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Cordell primarily studies circulation and reprinting in nineteenth-century American newspapers, but his interests extend to the influence of computation, digitization, and machine learning on contemporary reading, writing, and research. Cordell collaborates with colleagues in English, History, and Computer Science on the Viral Texts project, which uses robust data mining tools to discover borrowed texts across large-scale archives of nineteenth-century periodicals. Cordell serves as a senior fellow in the Andrew W. Mellon Society of Critical Bibliography at the Rare Book School and also directs UIUC’s Skeuomorph Press & BookLab.