Purdue Libraries named 2015 ACRL Excellence in University Library Award winner
January 28, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University Libraries has been chosen for a top honor in the 2015 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Excellence in Libraries Award.
The ACRL on Tuesday (Jan. 27) announced Purdue Libraries’ honor in the university category based on its numerous initiatives. Those include: its leadership in re-defining the role of libraries to meet the needs and expectations of its university; creating a research community in the 21st century, through innovative programs and projects in information literacy; new space designs; new publishing models; international collaborations and data management.
“Purdue University Libraries succeeds by being experimental, taking risks, innovating and leveraging collaboration with their faculty, graduate and undergraduate students to push the boundaries of what research university libraries can accomplish for their community, locally and globally,” said Steven Bell, chair of the 2015 Excellence in Academic Libraries Committee and associate university librarian for research and instructional services at Temple University. “Whether it’s their information literacy initiative that features their participation in Purdue’s IMPACT (Instruction Matters: Purdue Academic Course Transformation) curriculum, a commitment to renovate and create library spaces that are highly intentional about student learning and collaboration with faculty or engaging in course redesign with their faculty, what most impressed the committee was Purdue’s profession-leading and cutting edge work in the area of research data services.
“Where Purdue excels among this year’s strong pool of university applicants is in their support of faculty research, through their Library Scholars Grant program, which provides faculty members with grants for travel to special collections at other institutions in support of their growth as scholars.”
Purdue Libraries Dean James L. Mullins said the honor is special because of the role Libraries plays in the research university’s mission.
“The faculty and staff of the Purdue University Libraries are proud of the progress that we have made to define the role of the 21st-century research library within its university community,” said Mullins, who also is the Esther Ellis Norton professor at Purdue. “To have our creativity, innovation, and dedication recognized through this important award is a wonderful honor.”
Bell said: “The final decision in each category was truly difficult. “This pool of candidates speaks volumes about the amazing work that academic librarians perform on behalf of their communities – as well as the global community of learners and researchers – to advance learning and transform scholarship.”
Each winning library will receive $3,000 and a plaque, to be presented at an award ceremony held on each recipient’s campus. Additional information on the award, along with a list of past winners, is available on the ACRL website at http://www.ala.org/acrl/awards/achievementawards/excellenceacademic.
The ACRL Award for Excellence in University Libraries was inaugurated in 2000. Since then, a select group of university libraries has been chosen for this recognition. Within the Big Ten, the universities of Minnesota and Illinois, and Indiana University have been chosen. Other past awardees include the University of Virginia, Cornell University and University of Washington.
The ACRL and YBP Library Services sponsor the award.
About ACRL
The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for librarians. Representing more than 11,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to help academic and research librarians learn, innovate and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship. ACRL is on the Web at www.acrl.org/, Facebook at www.facebook.com/ala.acrl and Twitter at @ala_acrl.
About YBP Library Services
YBP Library Services, a Baker & Taylor company, provides print and digital content, supporting collection management and technical services to academic, research and special libraries throughout the world. GOBI3, YBP's acquisition and collection development interface, provides access to more than 10 million titles. YBP is located in Contoocook, New Hampshire. For more on the company, visit www.ybp.com
Contact: Shannon Walker, 765-496-9610, walker81@purdue.edu
Source: James L. Mullins, 765-494-2900, jmullins@purdue.edu
Related Release:
ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award winners announced: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/01/2015-acrl-excellence-academic-libraries-award-winners-announced
