Dupré Library and R1
Dupré Library is celebrating the University reaching R1 designation, the top tier of research institutions in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The library is proud to have contributed significantly to the University’s research mission in this journey to R1.
Through diverse information platforms for collections, online research resources, library instruction, research support, circulation services, and interlibrary loan, the library remains a vital part of all research undertaken at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The library’s own research center, the Ernest J. Gaines Center, and specialized collections, such as the Cajun & Creole Music Collection as well as other unique archival collections, have produced new research covering the wide range of Acadiana culture and University history. In 2018, the library created an institutional repository to house digital research materials from current and future scholars. Library instruction continually educates researchers in the latest online databases and resources.
Library faculty are also researchers and have published and presented nationally, regionally, and statewide, and have been the recipients of over $1 million in grants. Since 2017, staff have contributed to Library of Congress worldwide name authority files by creating or editing name authority headings for UL faculty, notable Acadiana-based persons, festivals and more, bringing them increased visibility. At the same time, the library has continued to expand its offerings to researchers and students through open education resource initiatives and on-campus outreach programs and exhibits. An exhibit highlighting services, resources, and awards and recognitions is on display in the library through the month of March 2022.
As the University grows to take on greater levels of research, the library must grow with it to fulfill the goals of advanced research. With continued and enhanced investment from the University and additional staffing, the library will be here to support the University’s research plans and the future discoveries it will produce. As the University moves into the future as an R1 institution, the library will provide the vital central support with its collections, service, instruction, outreach, and innovation.
—Susan Richard, Professor & Associate Dean
—Michael Mitchell, Former Head of E-Resources
—Blair Stapleton Jones, Former Assistant Dean of Public Services
Faculty & Staff
Library faculty actively engage in research, scholarship, and creative arts. In addition to writing over 140 articles published in national and state periodicals, current faculty have made numerous contributions to an assortment of publications.
Through books, articles, grants, and presentations, library faculty impact a myriad of disciplines and industries. Current faculty have presented over 130 times at academic conferences throughout the country and have raised over $1M in grant funds.
Publication Highlights
Books
Book Chapters
Journal Articles
Subject Indexes (Online & Print)
Award & Recognition Highlights
- Friends of Edith Garland Dupré Library/LEQSF Regents Professorship, 2021-2024, 2018-2021
- Drs. Gloria S. and Robert W. Cline/BORSF Endowed Professorship for Dupré Library, 2021-2024, 2018-2021, 2007-2010
- Library of the Year, LOUIS Users Conference (LUC), 2020
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2019
- Article of the Year, Louisiana Library Association (LLA), 2019
- LOUIS Award for "Most Interesting Item", for artifact in Cajun and Creole Music Collection, 2016
- Lucy B. Foote Award, Louisiana Library Association Subject Specialists, 2015, 2004
- 75th Anniversary as a Federal Depository Library, U.S. Government Printing Office, 2013
Grant Highlights (1998 – 2021)
Highlights totaling $1,143,420.19 in grants awarded to Dupré Library faculty.
| YEAR | EXTERNAL GRANT | AMOUNT |
| 2021 | Angola Museum Photographs Digitization | 32,805.00 |
| 2021 | Who Gets to Vote / Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) | 2,700.00 |
| 2018 | Friends of the Humanities | 600.00 |
| 2018 | Poetry and Music: The Cajun and Creole Connection / Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) and Poet Laureate Grant | 500.00 |
| 2017 | OER Grant (Co-PI with Luke Dowden, Distance Learning) / BOR-NSU eLearning Innovation Grants Program | 18,207.00 |
| 2016 | William Shakespeare, Friends of the Humanities | 600.00 |
| 2015 | Gaines Institute / The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) | 196,232.00 |
| 2015 | Latino Americans / Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) and American Library Association (ALA) | 10,000.00 |
| 2014 | L'Acadien Digitization / LYRASIS | 5,185.00 |
| 2014 | Gerder Lehrner Center | 500.00 |
| 2014 | Women's Studies / UL Instructional Improvement Grant | 750.00 |
| 2006 | Cajun and Creole Music Collection Cataloging and Accessibility Project / Gulf Coast Grammy Foundation Archiving and Preservation Grant | 29,455.00 |
| 2003 | To Preserve Cultures and Nurture Generations: Building a Collection of Cajun and Creole Music at the University Library / Louisiana Board of Regents | 90,487.00 |
| 1998 | Government Publications in the University Library: Educational Impact, Access and Automation / Louisiana Board of Regents | 33,152.00 |
| Total External Grants | $421,173.00 | |
| YEAR | STEP GRANT (Student Technology Enhancement Program) | AMOUNT |
| 2020 | Reference Online Center (ROC) Lab Computers Replacement | 26,255.52 |
| 2019 | Scanners | 35,653.97 |
| 2018 | Bib Lab SMART Classroom Enhancement | 27,700.00 |
| 2017 | Portable Chargers | 700.00 |
| 2016 | Collaboration Stations | 5,630.00 |
| 2015 | Microfilm Reader | 17,878.00 |
| 2014 | Screenleap Collaborative Screen Sharing Application | 561.00 |
| 2013 | Charging Stations for Laptops and Mobile Devices | 11,075.00 |
| 2013 | Library Online Patron Access Computers (OPAC) | 24,706.90 |
| 2013 | Promoting Interaction and Collaboration | 6,818.50 |
| 2012 | Scanners | 48,140.00 |
| 2012 | Audiovisual Equipment | 2,610.66 |
| 2011 | Bib Lab SMART Classroom Upgrade | 5,902.14 |
| 2011 | Security Cameras | 66,858.00 |
| 2011 | Bib Lab SMART Classroom Computers | 33,691.20 |
| 2010 | Reference Online Center (ROC) Lab Computers | 36,891.00 |
| 2010 | Dupré STEP Computer Lab | 118,098.00 |
| 2010 | Digital Sign | 2,278.00 |
| 2009 | Dupré STEP Computer Lab | 218,052.30 |
| 2009 | Laptop Lending Service | 32,747.00 |
| Total STEP Grants (Student Technology Enhancement Program) | $722,247.19 | |
Presentations at Highlighted Conferences
Special Projects
- Bibliometric Study of publications related to climate change from 2000 to 2020
- Cross-Departmental Online Collaboration by Creating Library of Congress Name Authority Headings for Global Usage
- Offshore Oil and Gas History Project Collections
- UL Lafayette Institutional Repository to house digital materials
Resources & Services
As an integral part of the university, the library supports the university's research, curriculum, and innovation goals by providing resources and services in all forms, both physical and virtual. Its expanding spaces, technologies, information access and collections ensures that the library will continue to meet the research needs of its current and future users.
[Affordable Learning LOUISiana Initiative]
Engagement
Dupré Library is actively engaged in the university, professional organizations and the community to develop a community of scholars and provide service. Faculty and staff design and promote events, projects and activities that are relevant, interesting, and meaningful to audiences of different ages, backgrounds, and educational levels.
- Collaboration with University Departments
- Professional Organizations
- Social Media
- Tutoring (Mentoring Matters, Writing Lab)
- Volunteer
-
Exhibits, Programs, Activities, and Creative Works
-
Highlights
- 75th Anniversary as a Federal Depository Library, 1938 – 2013
- Architecture of Responsibility: Community, Diversity, Efficiency, Sustainability
- Celebrating the 2011 Festival of the Arts' SPARK Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet
- Celebrating the 2016 Festival of the Arts' SPARK Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Nick Spitzer
- Constitution Day and Citizenship Day are Everyday: Resources at your Library for Participating and Learning
- Dupré Library 360 ° Virtual Tours
- Ernest J. Gaines Lecture Series
- Ernest J. Gaines Center 50th anniversary celebration of Gaines' first novel publication, Catherine Carmier
- FrameVR Library Instruction Pilot (browser-based tool for creating learning environments and exercises)
- Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
- History of Lanor Records: Historical artifacts, equipment, photographs and papers in the Cajun and Creole Music Collection
- Kitely OpenSim Library Instruction Pilot (virtual UL Lafayette campus created for instructional purposes)
- Louisiana Academic Virtual Conference
- LoLA (Low-Latency) Art and Technology Experiment Project (Internet2) – Collaborative partnership (University and community partners) with Acadiana Center for the Arts (ACA)
- National Poetry Month
- Poetry and Music: The Cajun & Creole Connection
- Poetry Reading with Darrell Bourque
- Revitalizing Acadian Culture in South Louisiana
- Shakespeare’s Life and Works
- Sharing the Sweet Life: 100 Years at the Chatsworth Sugar Plantation
- The Lafayette Guide: Alton Broussard and the Early Days of Lafayette Journalism
- UL Lafayette College of Liberal Arts Centennial Celebration (Special Collections)
- Working in Rhythm: Building the Foundation of the Cajun and Creole Music Collection
-
Highlights
Grand Hallway Display Cases
An R1 exhibit was displayed for a time in the Grand Hallway on the 1st floor.
-
We are Scholars
- Library faculty actively engage in research, scholarship, and creative arts. In addition to writing over 140 articles published in national and state periodicals, current faculty have made numerous contributions to an assortment of publications.
- Through books, articles, grants, and presentations, library faculty impact a myriad of disciplines and industries. Current faculty have presented over 130 times at academic conferences throughout the country and have raised over $1M in grant funds.
-
We are Educators
- Library faculty play a critical role in shaping the academic experience through inspired teaching. The Instructional Services Department is dedicated to the design, delivery, testing, and continual improvement of library instruction to ensure students and faculty are aware of and can effectively use information resources to achieve their research goals.
-
We are Innovators
- Innovation is at the core of the library. Library faculty are constantly designing new ways to deliver an intuitive and inspiring library experience. Using various forms of technology in the programs and services ensures the library meets the needs of its current and future users.
-
We are Collaborators
- Collaborative relationships are formed within and outside of the University to foster a community of scholars across all disciplines. Academic and public engagement are key factors for library faculty when designing and promoting events and activities that are relevant, interesting, and meaningful to audiences of different ages, backgrounds, and educational levels.
-
We are International – Gaines Center
- Ernest J. Gaines was an internationally acclaimed author. His work was translated into 17 languages. In 1996 Dr. Ernest J. Gaines was knighted in France for assisting in the establishment of Creative Writing programs for college students. Today, the Ernest J. Gaines Center actively works with students and researchers around the globe.
-
We are Curators
- Unique and diverse special collections and archives—from primary to secondary, physical to virtual, and analog to digital resources—have inspired students and scholars in their research for decades. Special collections faculty and staff provide preservation, metadata, research, and instruction services and support, ensuring access for future generations.