Wilella Burgess receives the 2025 Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies Leadership in Open Access Award

October 29th, 2025

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies is pleased to recognize Wilella Burgess, director of the Evaluation and Learning Research Center, at Purdue University, with the 2025 Leadership in Open Access Award. The award has been given annually since 2010 in recognition of exceptional commitment to broadening the reach of scholarship by making Purdue research freely accessible online. 

Burgess and her research team published a series of datasets in the Purdue University Research Repository (PURR), developed through a project conducted in collaboration with the country of Somalia. The project examined the impact of various primary education models on a diverse population of learners in Somalia. Findings from this evaluation will help inform future programming and guide policy decisions by Somalia’s Ministry of Education.

In addition to publishing the datasets on PURR, Burgess and her research team partnered with the Purdue Libraries Scholarly Publishing Division to make the project reports and related scholarly works openly accessible through Purdue e-Pubs, the university’s institutional repository. Publications in Purdue e-Pubs are freely available to a global audience and are automatically indexed in Google Scholar, enhancing their visibility and discoverability. By collaborating with the Purdue e-Pubs team, Burgess and her team ensured that articles resulting from the USAID-funded project are preserved and accessible to the public.

Burgess’s work demonstrates how publicly-funded research, when shared openly, can inform evidence-based policy, empower stakeholders, and drive positive change on an international scale.

Open Access Week

October 20–26, 2025 was International Open Access Week. This year’s theme, “Who Owns Our Knowledge,” asks how, in a time of disruption, communities can reclaim control over knowledge while prompting reflection on who accesses, creates, and shares it—and whose voices are valued.

Open Access publishing provides free, immediate access to scholarly literature, removing paywalls and reuse restrictions. For more than 20 years, Open Access publishing has paved the way to greater transparency in scientific research, providing a model for other open scholarship endeavors including open data, open peer review, and open science.  

Purdue Libraries and Open Access

Libraries and School of Information Studies remains an avid advocate for open access publishing, aligning with the institution’s land-grant mission of learning, discovery, and engagement. Purdue’s commitment to open access began with Open Access Day in 2008, and the university has actively participated in International Open Access Week since its establishment in 2009.

In 2020, Purdue Libraries, with support from the Dean’s Advisory Council and generous donors, established an endowment to promote a sustainable and transparent system of scholarly research. This endowment has enabled Libraries to contribute to innovative open access publishing initiatives, further solidifying Purdue’s commitment to open scholarship.

Purdue Libraries negotiates with publishers to provide free Open Access publishing opportunities—its current Open Access Publishing Partnerships are a result of these negotiations. When publishing in journals that qualify under these agreements, Purdue authors can select Open Access publishing options at no cost.  

Authors have access to additional services and support, including support for posting works to Purdue e-Pubs, Purdue’s institutional repository for scholarly documents. As an open access service, scholarly works posted to Purdue e-Pubs are freely available to a global audience and benefit from wide availability and discovery. 

Most publishers allow authors to post a version of their scholarship to an institutional repository. Purdue Libraries offers a free CV review service, and authors who wish to participate need only to share a list of publications or their ORCID iD. Purdue e-Pubs staff will review publisher sharing policies and inform authors that their works can be made openly available at no cost. 

For more information, contact openaccess@purdue.edu. 

About Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies, a unit of Purdue University, aims to create and provide equitable access to diverse resources, outstanding services, and innovative spaces by pioneering new methods in information science and advancing knowledge to meet the evolving information needs of the future. To learn more, visit lib.purdue.edu.

Inside the “Beyond the Binding: Medieval Manuscripts from Farm to Fragments” Exhibition

October 21st, 2025

In December 2025, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections will debut “Beyond the Binding: Medieval Manuscripts from Farm to Fragments,” a public exhibition showcasing original medieval manuscripts. Many of these rare items are on loan through the Manuscripts in the Curriculum program, administered by Les Enluminures, which promotes hands-on manuscript study in academic settings.

How it began

This project began in July 2023, when Dr. Michael Johnston, professor in the Department of English, reached out to Libraries Assistant Professor Kristin Leaman to explore bringing the program to campus. Leaman took the lead on planning and logistics, working closely with Clinical Associate Professor Adriana Harmeyer, archivist for university history. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections would house and provide access to the manuscripts for the duration of the loan.

Together, Johnston, Leaman, and Harmeyer submitted Purdue’s application in fall 2023, and were accepted into the program in November 2023 for a loan in fall 2025.

Making it happen

Thanks to internal Purdue support, the team was able to bring the manuscripts to campus. Funding came from the Troutner Teaching Fund, Libraries and School of Information Studies, and Archives and Special Collections.

This collaborative effort across departments and units—despite busy schedules and tight timelines—made the exhibition and accompanying course possible.

Teaching with medieval manuscripts

The exhibition is a product of ILS 59500: Medieval Manuscript Studies, a new course co-taught by Leaman and Harmeyer during the fall 2025 semester. The course offers students a rare opportunity to engage directly with medieval manuscripts—learning not just how to analyze them, but also how to curate them for public display. It also fills a gap in medieval studies and library studies, as it provides students with valuable curatorial training.

The class covers everything from materials, ruling, text layout, and binding to paleography and cataloging. Students build curatorial skills and learn how to think about audience, storytelling, and exhibition design—insights that go far beyond typical academic work—and work as a team to develop a final polished product.

Johnston has also led two medieval Latin transcription workshops, giving students additional experience with the manuscripts in their original language.

Beyond the classroom

“Beyond the Binding” is the first exhibition curated as part of an ILS course and the first exhibition fully focused on medieval manuscripts in Purdue University Archives and Special Collections. It is public-facing, free, and open to the community. While the manuscripts support instruction in the classroom, the broader goal is to bring these materials to a wider audience. Harmeyer has collaborated with instructors from three different Purdue departments to study the manuscripts on loan as part of their curriculum. In addition, several researchers have conducted research on the manuscripts during individual appointments.

The exhibition has already drawn interest from other departments and institutions. A class from Grace College in Winona Lake, IN, will visit to view the manuscripts and participate in a hands-on manuscript-making session with Leaman.

The loaned manuscripts were selected strategically from a list provided by Les Enluminures, in consultation with the Purdue team. They span different centuries, regions, and languages, providing a rich overview of medieval European manuscript culture. Additionally, volumes and leaves from Archives and Special Collections’ permanent collection will be on display.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, or curious visitor, “Beyond the Binding” offers a rare glimpse into the world of medieval manuscripts—once hidden away in private collections, now accessible and alive with new meaning at Purdue University Archives and Special Collections.

Faculty feature: Scouting Purdue and Professor Michael Witt spotlighted in Scouting Magazine

October 14th, 2025

Purdue Libraries Associate Professor Michael Witt is making a lasting impact beyond the classroom by serving as the faculty advisor for Scouting Purdue, a student club dedicated to fostering leadership and community among scouts on campus. Recently featured in Scouting Magazine by Scouting America, the club’s resurgence and dynamic programming highlight the power of dedicated mentorship and student engagement.

About the club

For many young adults, scouting ends when they graduate from high school, and they don’t get involved again until later in life when their children become scouts. When Witt was approached by students who wanted to continue scouting into college, he agreed to help them bring back the Purdue Eagle Scout Association—a once-active student club that had gone dormant. 

The club recently rebranded itself as Scouting Purdue to better reflect the mission of Scouting America and to be more inclusive of all students who have scouting experience.

From helping to rewrite the constitution to electing student leaders and planning events, Witt has been a hands-on mentor—guiding the executive board and supporting club activities that blend service, leadership, and fun. The club is thriving again, giving students with a background in Scouting a way to stay connected, serve others, and grow as leaders.

Under his guidance, some recent Scouting Purdue activities include:

• A Minecraft-themed camporee design challenge
• A dinner and engineering design challenge with Stryker Corp. director Chris Jones
• Coffee and mentoring with Don Ufford, director at NIST
• Volunteering at the University of Scouting at Purdue—the largest event of its kind in the nation

With hikes, service projects, social events, and professional networking, the club provides students with a strong, values-driven community that builds on their fellowship as Scouts.

For many members, Scouting Purdue has become a meaningful extension of their Scouting experience—providing a sense of belonging, leadership opportunities, and lasting connections.

“When I moved to college, I left a large Scouting community and didn’t think I would find something of similar impact and camaraderie again…until I noticed a Scouting Purdue callout flyer,” said Joshua Zapata, the current Scouting Purdue president. “My interest was piqued, and from that first meeting, I was immediately supported in my newfound leadership role and promised much more from my fellow students, especially Professor Witt.” 

That sense of support and community has resonated with past leadership as well. Reflecting on his time as club president, Gahn Mungarndee shared:

“I needed something to call my home away from home, so I sought out a support network—personally, academically, and professionally—and I found that home in Scouting Purdue. It has unexpectedly supported my college journey by introducing me to amazing professors and professionals, opening doors to job opportunities, and helping me build a network of lifelong friendships. Overall, an experience I truly wouldn’t trade for anything.” 

Continuing a legacy

Scouting Purdue stands on the shoulders of a remarkable legacy. Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 astronaut and Purdue alumnus, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1947 as a member of Troop 14 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He graduated from Purdue in 1955 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

When Armstrong set out on the Apollo 11 mission, he carried more than just the hopes of a nation—he brought a World Scout Badge tucked among his personal items. On July 20, 1969, that badge touched the surface of the Moon, symbolizing how the values of Scouting could travel as far as human ambition. 

At Scouting Purdue, students carry forward that spirit. Just as Armstrong embodied Scouting’s ideals in space, club members aim to live those same values on campus and beyond—building leaders who aim high and act with integrity.

Witt’s dedication to reviving the club reflects his broader commitment to supporting students—not only as learners but as leaders and engaged citizens.

View the collection of Armstrong papers, courtesy of Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, and learn more at scoutingpurdue.org or follow the club on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Purdue Libraries celebrates Constitution Day 2025

September 19th, 2025

On September 17, 2025, Purdue University marked Constitution Day with a celebration in the West Commons of the Purdue Memorial Union. From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, students, faculty, and community members came together to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution through interactive games, vendor booths, and educational contests. Highlights included a spirited Jeopardy-style competition featuring Purdue students and local celebrities, opportunities to register to vote onsite, and giveaways such as pocket Constitutions and Purdue Football tickets.

Purdue Libraries staff actively engaged with attendees to promote civic literacy during the event. They played a key role by leading discussions on Freedom of Expression, one of the core rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Staff also showcased several digital guides designed to support students’ understanding of free speech, civil liberties, and other related constitutional topics.

By blending fun, education, and civic engagement, the Constitution Day celebration highlighted the Constitution’s lasting impact. Purdue Libraries supports these efforts through resources and programs that empower students to be informed, engaged citizens.

View our government and law guides on our website.

Mathematical Sciences Library (MATH) reopened with a refresh and new testing room

September 9th, 2025

The Mathematical Sciences Library (MATH) has reopened, welcoming patrons back to a refreshed and updated environment. Visitors can enjoy newly carpeted areas, upgraded furniture, and additional group study rooms. The library’s redesign features a thoughtful rearrangement of bookshelves to increase natural light and create a brighter, more inviting space for study and research.

A testing room is now available

A highlight of the reopening is the new testing room, designed for individual use. This small, windowless room is equipped with a desktop computer and also provides space for personal laptops. It is intended for students taking online exams and will be reservable upon request. Please note that the testing room is not proctored, as Libraries does not offer proctoring services. The reservation system for the testing room can be found on the Libraries website.

Looking forward

Library hours remain unchanged and can be found on the Libraries Hours page. Staff continue to assist with material requests and any questions.

The recent updates and new facilities reflect the Mathematical Sciences Library’s ongoing commitment to providing a comfortable, modern, and functional space to support academic success.

For questions, please contact Allen Bol at rbol@purdue.edu. 

Introducing Purdue Libraries’ Digital Accessibility Guide

August 14th, 2025

Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies is excited to share a new campus-wide resource: the Digital Accessibility Guide. This comprehensive guide is designed to help faculty, staff, and students create more accessible digital content—from instructional materials and research outputs to webpages and presentations.

The guide provides practical tools, best practices, checklists, and training links to help integrate accessibility into everyday work. Whether you’re building a syllabus, designing a slide deck, or uploading documents online, the guide offers support for creating materials that are inclusive and accessible to all users.

This resource was developed by the Libraries Accessibility Working Group, a team committed to improving accessibility across Libraries services, spaces, and digital resources. While rooted in Libraries, the group’s efforts aim to support broader campus accessibility goals and promote a “born-accessible” approach—building accessibility into the design of content, services, and programs from the outset, rather than addressing barriers after they arise.

The launch of the guide aligns with updated federal requirements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which call on public institutions to meet more rigorous digital accessibility standards. Through this work, Purdue Libraries reaffirms its commitment to equitable access and contributes to a campus-wide culture where accessibility is a shared responsibility where everyone benefits.

Changes to state-funded library research databases

July 29th, 2025

Since 1998, the Indiana State Library (ISL) has provided INSPIRE, a suite of online databases and resources, to all libraries, schools, and residents of Indiana. Due to recent budget cuts at the federal and state levels, ISL has had to renegotiate its INSPIRE contract with the library database vendor EBSCO, resulting in several EBSCO databases being replaced with lower-tier products or eliminated completely. Change in access is expected to occur on August 1. Please see our INSPIRE Libguide for more details.

Purdue Libraries has traditionally tracked the databases made available through the INSPIRE program on its discovery tools like the A-to-Z database list and will be updating those tools to reflect the changes to the INSPIRE EBSCO databases as they occur. Libraries is currently analyzing usage statistics for resources within INSPIRE to determine the most cost-effective way to provide access to eliminated content that has, up until now, been available to Purdue University at no extra cost.

Users are encouraged to use the Purdue Libraries’ interlibrary loan service to request articles no longer available via INSPIRE databases.

Please contact Rebecca Richardson, associate dean for collections and access, with questions or concerns at rarichar@purdue.edu.

Libraries faculty win American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE): Engineering Libraries Division (ELD) Best Publication Award

May 29th, 2025

Libraries faculty members Margaret Phillips, Jason Reed, David Zwicky, and Wei Zakharov won the 2025 ELD Best Publication Award for their paper titled, “Systematic Reviews in the Engineering Literature: A Scoping Review.” The award was established in 1998 to honor the best new paper or non-reference monographic work in engineering information. 

The paper, a collaborative effort involving nine authors—including colleagues from several other Association of American Universities (AAU) institutions—provides a comprehensive overview of how systematic reviews are conducted and utilized in engineering scholarship. The project was funded by a 2023 “Elevating the Visibility of Research” seed grant from the Purdue Office of Research, which supports the development of high-impact review papers with the potential to raise the visibility of Purdue’s research.

The 2025 ELD Awards Committee praised the paper for its strong structure, clarity, and relevance to a rapidly growing area within engineering librarianship. The committee highlighted the paper’s clear and effective presentation, as well as the use of well-designed visuals and cross-institutional collaboration. They described the work as a model for future research in the field—one that “sets a high standard” and represents a “significant contribution to the field of engineering information.”

To learn more about the award and the Engineering Libraries Division, visit the ELD website; more information about the American Society for Engineering Education can be found on the ASEE website.

Big Ten Academic Alliance and Springer Nature sign landmark open publishing agreement

May 29th, 2025

The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) has signed a groundbreaking two-year Open Publishing Agreement with Springer Nature—marking the publisher’s first unlimited, uncapped open access agreement in the Americas. This agreement is the BTAA’s fifth Open Publishing Agreement and its most ambitious yet, significantly expanding publishing opportunities for researchers across participating institutions, including Purdue University. 

Under this new agreement, authors affiliated with participating BTAA member institutions can publish open access articles in Springer Nature’s entire hybrid journal portfolio without paying article processing charges. This includes over 2,200 journals published under the Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, and Adis imprints, as well as Academic Journals; it does not, however, include Nature titles or those that are fully open access. The deal removes financial barriers and simplifies the publishing process, allowing authors to retain their rights and publish under a Creative Commons license—ensuring immediate, unrestricted access to their research. 

To learn more about this agreement and others, please visit our Open Access Publishing Partnerships guide.

Samantha LeGrand selected as Teaching Leadership Award Fellow

May 20th, 2025

Libraries faculty member Samantha LeGrand has been selected as a Teaching Leadership Award Fellow for the 2025–26 school year. The award fosters the pursuit of excellence in teaching and the development of teaching leaders, and honors Purdue faculty and their departments who foster excellence and growth in teaching.

As a fellow, LeGrand will focus on pedagogical partnership—a student-faculty collaboration model that values students as co-creators in the learning process. Her initiative will help Libraries faculty explore and implement information literacy pedagogical approaches through authentic partnerships with students.

“I’m honored to be selected, and it’s exciting to be part of shaping teaching and learning practice at the university. I am looking forward to working with my faculty colleagues in Libraries to build upon the amazing work they already do to build relationships with their students and create knowledge together,” she said.

LeGrand’s project also includes a series of two workshops co-facilitated with students:

• The first workshop will introduce the core concepts of pedagogical partnership and explore how students and faculty can work together to enhance teaching and learning.
• The second workshop will offer faculty the opportunity to reflect on a course they teach and consider how student partnerships could reshape their approach.

By integrating student voices into the conversation about teaching, LeGrand’s initiative aims to build stronger educational relationships and foster a shared commitment to excellence in teaching and learning across Purdue Libraries.

Looking forward, LeGrand said, “I hope the Teaching Leadership Award workshops will be an opportunity for us to consider exciting new directions for creating curriculum in partnership with the passionate, innovative students at our university. My dream is that widespread adoption of student-faculty partnership will result in a broader culture of mutually beneficial and meaningful learning experiences.”

About the award

The Teaching Leadership Award at Purdue supports instructors who champion teaching excellence within their departments. Open to faculty across all campuses, the award encourages the development of initiatives, such as workshops, seminars, and guest speaker events, that strengthen teaching practices and engage both faculty and graduate teaching assistants. The award aims to cultivate leadership in teaching and foster a culture of continuous improvement across the Purdue community.

Each recipient receives $1,000 in discretionary funds, with an additional $500 awarded to their department. Applicants must submit a brief proposal outlining a one- or two-semester plan that aligns with Purdue’s Framework for Teaching Excellence, along with a budget justification and a letter of endorsement from their department head. Awardees will consult with the Center for Instructional Excellence to refine their project plans before implementation. 

To learn more, visit the Teaching Leadership Award website.