We need a few additional volunteers to help maintain the Ellis Library Staff Lounge on Mondays and Thursdays. Cleaning takes 15-20 minutes, and we provide the gloves, supplies, and training. Sign up for one shift or more per semester – your choice!
Contact Gwen Gray, MULSA Staff Lounge Chair, GrayG@missouri.edu, if interested.
The Mary Jane and Stephen D. Smith, PhD, DMiL Training Center has been made possible through a generous gift from the Rev. Ann Evans Self. Ann named the space in honor of her parents, who along with her grandparents, James E. and Mary Potter Kunkler, inspired her Mizzou philanthropy. The family’s generosity across three generations has resulted in major gifts supporting MU Libraries, The School of Journalism, The School of Medicine, The College of Engineering and The College of Education & Human Development. Their commitment to Mizzou has also included service on numerous boards and committees and we are truly honored to recognize their love of Mizzou in this important new space in Ellis Library.
The Digital Media and Innovation Lab (DMiL) in Ellis Library continues to grow as a hub for student creativity and exploration, and this year marks an exciting new chapter. Thanks to new equipment provided by Mizzou’s Center for Academic Success & Excellence (CASE) and a generous donor pledge, we’re now positioned to enhance DMil’s resources and expand its vision for the future.
Recently, the DMiL integrated professional-grade audio and video podcast equipment from the CASE Podcast Studio, significantly enhancing its capacity to support student projects. The addition of high-quality microphones, a studio-level soundboard, installed cameras, and a camera-switching console means students now have access to advanced audio and video production for podcasts and interviews. Coupled with a professional rack setup, students now have access to cutting-edge tools alongside staff support and training to use them effectively.
At the same time, the Lab is preparing for a transformational step forward: the creation of a freestanding, glass-enclosed classroom adjacent to the DMiL. This flexible, high-tech learning space will house up to 20 high-performance workstations, giving students the chance to develop skills in video editing, 3D modeling, audio editing, VR/AR design and more. Beyond providing structured workshops and class sessions, the transparent design will invite passersby to see innovation in action.
Together, these developments reflect the DMiL’s mission to provide equitable access to emerging technologies and to prepare students for a digital-first world, job market and self-directed continuing education. With the integration of new production equipment and the forthcoming classroom space supported by donor generosity, Ellis Library is positioning itself as a central destination for digital fluency at Mizzou. The DMiL will also provide support for teaching faculty who develop assignments that give students the opportunity to develop new skills that will benefit their future studies and employment goals. The DMiL isn’t just about giving students tools—it’s about giving them the confidence, skills and opportunities to tell their stories, collaborate and thrive in the evolving media landscape. Rendering of the DMiL expansion
Got an English 1000 paper to tackle? Join us for the very first Dine & Draft on Tuesday, October 22, from 4–8 p.m. in Ellis Library rooms 115 and 114a. This event is designed just for English 1000 students who want to make real progress on their draft while having support (and food) nearby.
Here’s how it works: bring your draft-in-progress, even just your notes and outline, and settle in for a productive writing session. Writing Center tutors and research librarians will be available throughout the evening to answer your questions, give feedback, and help you move forward with confidence. Whether you’re brainstorming, structuring your essay, integrating sources, or polishing your citations, you’ll have experts right at your side.
And because writing is always easier when you’re not running on empty, we’ll have sandwiches for the first students who arrive, along with a relaxed, focused environment to keep you fueled. Think of it as a study session meets writing workshop, with a little extra motivation to get that draft done. Don’t miss this chance to knock out your English 1000 paper with expert help for when you get stuck!
Access Mizzou Libraries—Anywhere, Anytime.
Lean Library is a free browser extension available to all current Mizzou students, faculty, and staff. Whether starting your research on Google Scholar, a publisher’s site, or anywhere else online, Lean Library helps you seamlessly connect to library resources—even when you’re off campus or not on Tiger WiFi.
Here’s how it works:
Automatically checks if Mizzou Libraries has access to the article or book you’re viewing.
Provides direct links to full-text content when available.
Prompts you to log in using MU’s Single Sign-On (SSO)—just like email or Canvas.
Need something we don’t have?
Lean Library makes it easy to request articles and books through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service—at no cost to you.
Getting started is easy: Download the Lean Library extension, select the University of Missouri, Columbia, and start accessing library content wherever your research takes you.
The Digital Media and Innovation Lab (DMiL) in Ellis Library provides innovative technology and resources for your creative projects. The DMiL has an Audio Recording Booth, Digital Art Tools, and 3D Scannersin Room 156;interview recording room in Room 157, and a film studio in Room 3E21.
The DMiL is complemented by the Information Commons computers and equipment checkout at the checkout & information desk. The DMiL is available to students for class or personal projects.
“The Outstanding New Librarian Award recognizes a librarian with at least 1 year of Missouri-based experience (and less than 5 years in the field) who has contributed significantly to improving and advancing library and information services. This year’s recipient is Jill Kline, Student Success Librarian at University of Missouri Libraries. In her 2 years at Mizzou, Jill has reached thousands of students through instructional sessions and campuswide events. She has created new library learning tools, secured grant funding for a well being book collection, and presented at regional conferences, including MLA. Student surveys of her instructional sessions have shown that more than 95% of students stated that they would be more likely to use Library tools, thanks to her guidance. Jill has led instruction sessions for middle and high school students, while codeveloping a new graduate library workshop. She has also served on university-wide committees, assisting with first-generation student success and AI literacy.”
Not all journals are created equal. Some exist solely to profit from unsuspecting scholars—without offering real peer review or academic credibility. Join us for an informative workshop that will help you:
Spot the warning signs of predatory journals
Understand how they operate and why they’re harmful
Discover trusted tools to find reputable, high-quality publications for your work
Presenter: Janice Dysart, Science Librarian, Research & Information Services Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Location: Online via Zoom
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting out, this session will empower you to navigate the publishing landscape with clarity and confidence.
This October, the Mizzou Libraries will host Research Ready in 15 Minutes, a two-week series of 15-minute virtual workshops designed to introduce students, faculty, and staff to essential library databases.
Running from October 6 – 17, each session will feature:
A brief overview of a key research database
A live demonstration of search, access, and save features
A highlight of a unique tool or function
The goal of this series is to provide accessible, low-pressure learning opportunities for busy users who need a quick refresher (or an introduction) to resources that support their research and coursework. All sessions will be recorded and posted to our workshops recording page for on-demand viewing.