- Purdue University was established in 1865 in Lafayette, Indiana as a land-grant college focusing on science, technology, and agriculture. It has since expanded to include renowned English and liberal arts programs. - The Humanities and Social Sciences Library (HSSE) at Purdue is one of the largest on campus, housing materials on topics ranging from ancient religions to modern political theory across four floors. - While the upper floors maintain the traditional atmosphere of academic research and study, the document discusses how the first floor has taken on more of an identity as a computer lab and social space, bringing the library's identity into conflict.

1. The Identity of the Library
A perspective on how technology has changed the
traditional identity and atmosphere of the Purdue Library.

2. The Engineering Fountain

3. Purdue University
• Purdue University was established in 1865 as a land-grant college near
Lafayette, Indiana. It was primarily established as a college of Science,
Technology, and Agriculture.
• Since then, the University has gone on to house one of the most renowned
English and Liberal Arts programs in the country.
• The epitome of the program is the Humanities and Social Sciences Library,
or HSSE.
• It is one of the largest libraries at Purdue, spanning four floors and
countless volumes on everything from Ancient Religions to modern political
theory.

4. Purdue University
• Purdue University was established in 1865 as a land-grant college near
Lafayette, Indiana. It was primarily established as a college of Science,
Technology, and Agriculture.
• Since then, the University has gone on to

5. Purdue University
• Purdue University was established in 1865 as a land-grant college near
Lafayette, Indiana. It was primarily established as a college of Science,
Technology, and Agriculture.
• Since then, the University has gone on to
The Back Entrance of the Library, with its imposing stairways and strong pillars, brings us back to
the values that Purdue hold above all. Strength, self-reliance, and Academia.

6. Purdue University
• Purdue University was established in 1865 as a land-grant college near
Lafayette, Indiana. It was primarily established as a college of Science,
Technology, and Agriculture.
• Since then, the University has gone on to

7. Humanities and Social
Sciences Library
• The Library is located within the Stewart Centre at
Purdue. The Centre is home to many of the cultural
happenings, as well as the Loeb Playhouse, the
Experimental Theatre division, various art and
photography galleries, and Fowler Hall. The Centre also
plays home the Distance Learning program, as well as
the Office for Career Counseling.
• Essentially, if there is something happening in the broad
scope of the Liberal Arts, it happens at the Stewart
Centre.

8. Surrounded by grassy knolls, and lit around with lamp-posts rather than glaring mercury
light, the HSSE presents itself as an oasis of Academia.

12. The Check-out Machine, making it easier and faster than ever to get the books you want.

14. At what point does a Library transition
from a hall of scholastic achievement
to a cyber-café? The HSSE presents
conflicting identities, with the first floor
looking more like a well-lit, equipped
computer room, rather than the
traditional feel of a library. When one
walks in, there are more people on
Facebook, Skype, and IM rather than
involved in research. Then, as you
transition to the remaining floors, it
resumes its identity as a Library.

16. Research, Study, Work, Concentration. These are the values and ideals enshrined within the
top floors of the HSSE Library, providing a sharp contrast to the first floor.