home Cycle of Success Welcome Megan Ballengee

Welcome Megan Ballengee

The MU Libraries are pleased to announce that Megan Ballengee has been hired as the community engagement coordinator. Megan has a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Bachelor of Arts in art history and Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from St. Cloud State University. She previously worked as an instructional services librarian at Heartland Community College and an undergraduate instruction & outreach librarian at Texas State University.

home Events and Exhibits Old Hollywood Exhibit Now on Display

Old Hollywood Exhibit Now on Display

Please visit our summer exhibit celebrating old Hollywood movies and movie stars. This exhibit consists of old movie posters from the private collection of an MU staff member and several books about Hollywood from the library’s collection.

If you want to watch some classic movies this summer, you can check out DVDs at Ellis Library.

Special thanks to Farris Craddock for providing movie reels and to Catherine Hutinett for choosing the books for the exhibit.

Books on Display
Stealing the show: African American Performers and Audiences in 1930s Hollywood by Miriam J. Petty
Black manhood on the silent screen by Gerald R. Butters, Jr.
Cinematic appeals: the experience of new movie technologies by Ariel Rogers
Queer love in film and television: critical essays by Pamela Demory and Christopher Pullen
Beyond the Stars by Paul Loukides and Linda K. Fuller
Women on screen: feminism and femininity in visual culture edited by Melanie Waters
Heroines of film and television: portrayals in popular culture edited by Norma Jones, Maja Bajac-Carter, and Bob Batchelor
The cool and the crazy: pop fifties cinema by Peter Stanfield
Queen of the Plaza; a biography of Adah Isaacs Menken by Paul Lewis
Hollywood destinies: European directors in America, 1922-1931
Classic Hollywood: lifestyles and film styles of American cinema, 1930-1960 by Veronica Pravadelli
The many lives of Marilyn Monroe by Sarah Churchwell
This ‘n that by Bette Davis with Michael Herskowitz
The Hollywood family film: a history, from Shirley Temple to Harry Potter by Noel Brown
The Hollywood economist: the hidden financial reality behind the movies by Edward Jay Epstein
The ABCs of classic Hollywood by Robert B. Ray
The girl who walked home alone: Bette Davis, a personal biography by Charlotte Chandler
On film: a history of the motion picture by Frank E. Beaver
The phantom of the cinema: character in modern film by Lloyd Michaels
Matinee melodrama: playing with formula in the sound serial by Scott Higgins
Out at the movies: a history of gay cinema by Steven Paul Davies; foreword by Simon Callow
85 years of the Oscar by Robert Osborne
The films of Bette Davis by Gene Ringgold

home Staff news Jennifer Thompson Hired as Associate University Librarian for Acquisitions, Collections and Technical Services

Jennifer Thompson Hired as Associate University Librarian for Acquisitions, Collections and Technical Services

In July, the University Libraries hired Jennifer Thompson as associate university librarian for Acquisitions, Collections and Technical Services. Jennifer has a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, where she studied religious studies and architectural history. She was inspired to become a librarian while studying the design of the Boston Public Library. The architects intended the design to reflect the importance of public spaces in a democratic society and the ability of learning to improve lives – two concepts with which Jennifer wholeheartedly aligns. Previously Jennifer served as electronic resources librarian for the University of Missouri System, technology and resource sharing consultant for the Missouri State Library, and library director at the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC.

 

 

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New Muse Posts

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home Special Collections and Archives, Support the Libraries Samir Husni Magazine Collection Donated to MU Libraries

Samir Husni Magazine Collection Donated to MU Libraries

Samir Husni, a leading expert on magazine publishing, has donated his archives to the University of Missouri Libraries Special Collections and Archives division. These wide-ranging research materials will be available to scholarship as the Samir Husni Magazine Collection.

Dubbed “the planet’s leading expert on new magazines” by the Chicago Tribune and “a world-renowned expert on print journalism” by CBS News, Samir “Mr. Magazine™” Husni, Ph.D., has studied magazine launches for over forty years. Husni received his undergraduate degree from Lebanese University in Beirut, where he was top of his class, earning a scholarship to work on advanced degrees in the United States. He went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas in 1980 and a Ph.D. in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri in 1983. He is the founder and director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the School of Journalism and New Media at The University of Mississippi, where he served as a professor of journalism from 1984 to 2021.

The Samir Husni Magazine Collection represents a lifetime of research in media history and magazine publishing. Husni’s yearly publication, Samir Husni’s Guide to New Magazines, was in print from 1985 to 2011, and is published electronically to date. The Guide documents more than 40,000 first issue magazines published in the United States in the twentieth century, all of which are contained in the collection. A significant percentage of first edition magazines in the U.S. never published a second issue, so much of the content of the collection is extremely rare. The collection also includes longer or near-complete runs of other periodical titles from the early twentieth century, as well as merchandise and marketing kits created by magazine publishers, and Husni’s professional papers. Taken as a whole, the Husni Collection provides a detailed view of the landscape of American periodical publishing for a large span of the 20th century.

Dr. Earnest Perry, associate dean of graduate studies and research at the Missouri School of Journalism said, “The collection is a history of our pop culture from the 20th century and beyond and a snapshot of what has happened in America from news, to war, to culture and entertainment, to science and beyond.”

The Special Collections and Archives Division is home to a diverse collection of rare, unique, and historic materials across many formats: manuscripts, papers, rare books, maps, posters, comic art, architectural plans, photographs, and film. The collections are a highly used resource that support a busy program of reference, instruction, and outreach to the University of Missouri community and beyond. More information about the Samir Husni Magazine Collection is available on the Special Collections website. Researchers are encouraged to contact Special Collections librarians with questions.

home Cycle of Success Using Government Research to Uncover the History of the Bicycle

Using Government Research to Uncover the History of the Bicycle

Every year since 1990, bicycle enthusiasts have converged from around the world for the International Cycle History Conference (ICHC), where papers are presented on all aspects of cycle history and culture.

Few controversies are more important to this group than that surrounding the invention of the “boneshaker,” that is, the original bicycle of the mid-19th century powered by cranks and rotary pedals attached to the front hub. Though it appears to have originated in Paris around 1863, exactly who was responsible for that breakthrough and the original Michaux bicycle company remains unclear.

Fortunately, new technologies in library research may help solve the mystery. In 2022, MU Government Information Librarian Marie Concannon presented a paper at the ICHC titled “How to use digital libraries for historical cycling research,” and spoke about advances which allow powerful full-text searching in millions of books and government records all at once.

One of the historians in attendance was David Herlihy, author of Bicycle: The History published by Yale University Press. After hearing Ms. Concannon’s presentation, he was intrigued by the possibility of using U.S. Patent & Trademark Office databases to answer a key question: in 1869, were the founders of the Michaux company trying to purchase the original bicycle patent granted by the U.S. Patent office in November, 1866 to Pierre Lallement of Paris, France? If so, that would provide strong evidence that they knew this was a valid patent. Mr. Herlihy hopes to analyze data generated by the newly retooled U.S. Patent database, together with 19th century intellectual property law, to make that case.

Ms. Concannon was able to assist with the patent database, but needed help with intellectual property law history. She asked MU Law Librarian colleagues Randy Diamond and Cindy Shearer for input, and was delighted to see all they uncovered — about a dozen articles providing exactly the sort of legal context Mr. Herlihy was seeking, including the steps a foreigner might have taken in the 1860s to either purchase or overturn an existing U.S. patent. Taking such actions could indirectly reveal that individual’s opinion of the bicycle’s rightful inventor.

For now it remains a mystery to us, while Mr. Herlihy works through all the materials sent by our team of librarians. We can’t wait to see his next ICHC paper!

home Support the Libraries Congratulations to the 2023 Undergraduate Research Contest Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2023 Undergraduate Research Contest Award Winners

Jared Rubenstein

The University Libraries Undergraduate Research Contest seeks to recognize and reward outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at the University of Missouri.

This year the winner of the first place prize of a $500 scholarship is Jared Rubenstein, a junior studying journalism. His project, “Nazi Propaganda in American Universities from 1933 to 1938,” was written for Jerritt Frank’s History 1200 course.

Sasha Goodnow

The second-place winner and recipient of a $250 scholarship is Sasha Goodnow, a junior studying environmental science. Her project, “Missouri Statewide Lake Assessment Program,” was written for an environmental science internship with Dr. Rebecca North.

Jared and Sasha’s papers will be archived in MOspace, MU’s digital repository. You can see their projects, as well as past winners’ projects, here.

Special thanks to the Friends of the University of Missouri Libraries for their support of this award.

home Resources and Services Free Equipment Checkouts

Free Equipment Checkouts

Did you leave your laptop at home? Forgot your phone charger? Need a camera? The Circulation Desk at your library can help you out! Check out the available equipment here. All equipment is available with your student ID. Materials can be renewed in person at the desk. But be careful! There is a $2 fine for every hour it is returned late.

So, the next time you are studying all day at the library and your phone dies, don’t worry! Just head over to the Circulation Desk at your library.

home Resources and Services MU Remembers: Honor with Books

MU Remembers: Honor with Books

This year’s MU Remembers ceremony, commemorating students, faculty and staff who have passed away in the last year, will be held Friday, April 14. A book in remembrance of each honoree will be added to the University of Missouri Libraries’ collection. Commemorative bookplates are placed inside the books, and honorees’ names are placed on the books’ library catalog records. More information about our Honor with Books program can be found here.

The honorees’ names and the books selected in their memory are listed below.

Students
Holly Adams: Francis, L. A., McHale, S. M., Kiing, V., & Glick, J. E. (Eds). Families, food, and parenting: Integrating research, practice and policy. Springer.

Samuel Clemons: Rona, J. (2022). The reel world: Scoring for pictures, television, and video games (3rd ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

Brett Detmer: West, M. R., & Woessmann, L. (Eds.). (2021). Public opinion and the political economy of education policy around the world. The MIT Press.

Abiskar Gyawali: Gliessman, S. R., Mendez, V. E., Izzo, V. M., Engles, E. W., & Gerlicz, A. (2023). Agroecology: Leading the transformation to a just and sustainable food system (4th ed.). CRC Press.

Isabell Hall: Maziarz, R.T., & Slater, S. S. (Eds.). (2021). Blood and marrow transplant handbook: Comprehensive guide for patient care (3rd ed.). Springer.

Alex Jackson: Reeves, S., & Walsh, T. (2022). Creative jazz improvisation (5th ed.). Routledge.

Paul Lichtenauer: Waksman, S. (2022). Live music in America: A history from Jenny Lind to Beyonce. Oxford University Press.

Henry Mitchell: Sharkey, E. (2022). Why Britain rocked: How rock became roll and took over the world. Academica Press.

Hallie Phillips: Doggett, D. (2021). Wild: The legendary horses of Sable Island. Drew Doggett Photography, LLC.

Michael Weissinger: Carmichael, D. (2022). Risk and systems: With applications in infrastructure project management. CRC Press.

Faculty and Staff
Kent Collins: Lynch, J., & Charis, R., (Eds.). (2022). Responsible journalism in conflicted societies: Trust and public service across new and old divides. Routledge.

Frank Geyer: Rapp, D. (2023). Human missions to Mars: Enabling technologies for exploring the Red Planet (3rd ed.). Springer.

Glenda Masters: Volsang, J. (2016). All dogs go to Kevin: Everything three dogs taught me (that I didn’t learn in veterinary school). Grand Central Publishing.

Alice Crews: Fernlund, K.J. (2022). A big history of North America: From Montezuma to Monroe. University of Missouri Press.

Eldon Cole: Sponenberg, D. P. (2021). Practical color genetics for livestock breeders. 5m Publishing.

Resa Kerns: Hasen, R. (2022). Cheap speech: How disinformation poisons our politics—and how to cure it. Yale University Press.

Dorina Kosztin: Lobo, R. F. M., & Pinheiro, M. J. (2023). Advanced topics in contemporary physics for engineering: Nanophysics, plasma physics, and electrodynamics. CRC Press.

Emily Harrell: Harhut, N. (2022). Using behavioral science in marketing: Drive customer action and loyalty by prompting instinctive responses. Kogan Page.

Stewart Forrest: Gossling, S., & Hall, C. M. (2021). The sustainable chef: The environment in culinary arts, restaurants, and hospitality. Routledge.

Pengyin Chen: Adentunji, C.O., Panpatte, D.G., & Jhala, Y.K. (2022). Agricultural biotechnology: Food security hot spots. CRC Press.

Meagan Welsh: Hall III, W. J., Lanier, P. J., Jenson, J. M., & Fraser, M. W. (2021). Social policy for children and families: A risk and resilience perspective (4th ed.). Sage.

Steven Denney: Caffentzis, G. (2021). Clipped coins, abused words, and civil government: John Locke’s philosophy of money. Pluto Press.

Roger Albee, Jr.: Sidlow, F., & Stephens, K. (2022). Broadcast news in the digital age: A guide to reporting, producing and anchoring online and on TV. Routledge.

home Resources and Services New Drive-up Library Book Drop Available 24/7

New Drive-up Library Book Drop Available 24/7

We heard your request and we have responded! For those of you weary of slogging your library books across campus to return them to the library when you are finished, we have good news! Effective April 2023, a new drive-up book drop will be available 24/7 for you to deposit most library books, CDs and interlibrary loan materials.

The new book drop, located on the southwest corner of the Hitt Street Parking Structure, is two units in one, and it can accommodate over 700 books or 1,800 media cases. The book drop is tall enough to be used for drive-up deposits from all vehicles including SUVs and trucks, and it is ADA-compliant for walk-up deposits.

The book drop is made with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that is dent and rust-resistant. It is designed to protect contents from inclement weather and drive-by splashes. It is also designed to deter thefts and suppress fires.

We are confident that the book drop will protect our books, and we encourage users who do not want to park their car and carry books to the library to return their books at the book drop instead. Most campus books, MOBIUS and interlibrary loan materials may be deposited in the book drop. However, reserve items and library equipment — such as cameras, iPads and recorders — still need to be returned to the library.

Questions or concerns? Contact Cindy Cotner at CotnerC@missouri.edu.