home Support the Libraries DMiL Expands: A New Era of Student Innovation at Ellis Library

DMiL Expands: A New Era of Student Innovation at Ellis Library

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 a classroom
Rendering of the DMiL expansion

Research Smarter With Lean Library

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.

For more information, visit our Lean Library guide.

home Staff news Highlighted Posts of the Week

Highlighted Posts of the Week

Workshop Posts

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home Staff news Jill Kline Named MLA Outstanding New Librarian

Jill Kline Named MLA Outstanding New Librarian

From the MLA 2025 Conference Program:

“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.”

Congratulations, Jill!

home Staff news Committee Memberships Updated

Committee Memberships Updated

All 2025-2027 library committee members have received their appointment letters, and the rosters have been updated on the staff web page. Once chairs have been picked for the committees, they need to be updated. (Contact Shannon Cary to update the page.)

home Staff news Marketing Highlight

Marketing Highlight

Check out the School of Engineering’s Instagram reel about the Engineering Library.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPEnDYgDbFc/?igsh=MXJxMmV4eGZrejh4

home Staff news Highlighted Posts of the Week

Highlighted Posts of the Week

Workshop Posts

Other Posts

home Staff news Library Management Team Notes

Library Management Team Notes

2025.09.16 LMT Minutes

Correction: In the 8/12 Library Management Team notes, the Opportunity, Belonging and Accessibility Committee was incorrectly listed as the Organizational Business and Administration Committee.

home Events and Exhibits, Gateway Carousel Silent Reading Book Club at Mizzou Libraries

Silent Reading Book Club at Mizzou Libraries

Hello! Join us for Silent Book Club, a low-pressure, no-assignments reading group for book lovers of all kinds! Bring whatever book you’re currently reading—fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, or anything else—and enjoy an hour of quiet reading in the company of others. There’s no required reading or group discussion—just a cozy, welcoming space to relax, read, and share the love of books. Come early or stay late to chat about what you’re reading, or just enjoy the quiet time. All readers are welcome!

For more information, visit our Silent Reading Book Club LibGuide.

home Staff news Next Opportunity to Get a Professional Portrait, Sept. 25

Next Opportunity to Get a Professional Portrait, Sept. 25

If you need a new professional portrait, contact Shannon Cary (carysn@missouri.edu) for a MOcode.