After 38 years with the MU Libraries, Dr. Paula Roper will be retiring on December 24, 2024. After working as a teacher and for some federally funded projects, Paula came to MU to pursue her M.A. in Library Science. While enrolled, she served as a teaching assistant for the libraries’ library skills course. While working as a librarian in Ellis, she completed her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis with an emphasis in Higher Education. During her career, Paula has had a tremendous impact on students, the libraries, and our community. As the Education and Black Studies Research & Instruction Librarian, she has long been lauded by students and researchers for her support in their successful academic endeavors. One scholar calls her The Oracle for her work in assisting with his development as a teacher and scholar and how she expertly integrated the libraries into the work of his students. Paula is well-known for her in-depth instruction sessions in which she provides students with clear guidance for their specific assignments and materials they can consult after class for further assistance. She is also always available for consultations and has come into the libraries to meet with students on evenings and weekends if that is what works best for the students’ schedules. Among those of us in reference, we are always amazed at Paula’s tenacity in tracking information to help users. Paula will follow every lead; call anyone she identifies to get the information the user is looking for. She is a true testament to doing whatever it takes to help our users be successful. In addition to her personal assistance to our students and researchers, Paula is a tireless advocate for community education and involvement. Over the years, she has coordinated several national traveling exhibits and events for the libraries, including Lincoln – The Constitution and the Civil War and Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to Emancipation. She annually coordinates National History Day judges for the Strickland Memorial African-American History Prize and serves as a judge herself. As coordinator for Black History Month events, Paula develops amazing programs annually for the libraries, the campus, and the community. Each year, this month is capped off with Black History Month Trivia Night, a highly successful community event that Paula coordinates with the Daniel Boone Regional Library and MU Libraries. For her tremendous contributions to academic librarianship, Paula was awarded the 2024 Missouri Library Association Outstanding Professional Librarian award. You have been a wonderful colleague, mentor and friend, Paula. We will miss you!
A fun throwback interview with Paula as the December 2011 MULSA Spotlight Award Winner: https://library.missouri.edu/muse/december-2011-spotlight-award-winner-paula-roper/
When You Find Your Oracle at the Library: https://library.missouri.edu/news/ellis-library/when-you-find-your-oracle-at-the-library
In-Person Library Instruction Leads to Online Instruction: https://library.missouri.edu/news/cycle-of-success/cycle-of-success-in-person-library-instruction-leads-to-online-instruction
Paula Roper, Winner of MLA Outstanding Professional Librarian: https://library.missouri.edu/news/cycle-of-success/congratulations-to-paula-roper-winner-of-mla-outstanding-professional-librarian-2
If you are in Ellis Library, check out the wonderful display on the 2nd floor in honor of Paula’s MLA award.
