Shannon Cary
Librarians, Staff Members and Student Workers Needed for Homecoming Open House
We will be hosting our annual Ellis Library Open House after the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 19. The event will be from 10 a.m. to noon, and we will also need some help with set up starting around 9 a.m. It’s always a fun event, we provide snacks and drinks, plus family-friendly activities, such as button-making and decorating mini pumpkins.
If you can help out (please check with your supervisor first), please let me know by the end of this week.
Librarian Rachel Brekhus Supports Cutting-Edge AI Course
Research Librarian Rachel Brekhus has been lauded for her instrumental role in the success of a new course, “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity,” taught by Dr. Clarence Lo, Associate Professor of Sociology and Adjunct Instructor of Peace Studies, during the Summer 2024 semester. The course, which was cross-listed for credit in the Sociology and Communications departments and the Peace Studies Program, aimed to explore the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence and its implications for humanity.
As AI literature burgeoned in Spring 2024, Dr. Lo identified a dozen essential books for his online summer course. Since many students would be away from Columbia during the summer session, access to digital versions of these books became necessary. Brekhus, collaborating with acquisitions librarian Jennifer Walker, procured multiple digital licenses for the required readings, ensuring that all students, regardless of location, could easily access the latest works on AI.
This effort had a significant impact on the students’ performance. With seamless access to the most current AI literature, students were able to produce insightful papers that demonstrated a deep understanding of the ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges associated with AI in various work settings.
While librarians support the work of faculty instructors and researchers, faculty can also contribute to the resources of the libraries. Brekhus said, “Library-engaged faculty like Dr. Lo help me build relevant collections in my subjects, even from a distance, not only to support any single class, but to strengthen our collections in the areas of high scholarly interest and activity.”
Dr. Lo also noted Brekhus’s consistent support over the years, particularly in managing an ever-growing reading list for his longstanding course, “Technological Futures, Security, and Civil Liberties.” With an enrollment that has expanded to 150 students, the course has benefitted greatly from Brekhus’s curation of resources in this high enrollment setting. In several of Lo’s courses, Brekhus has taught engaging, in-person sessions, which have become a highlight for students.
Dr. Lo stated, “Rachel Brekhus’s contributions have not only enriched the learning experience for students but have also fostered stronger connections between faculty, library staff and students across multiple departments.” He expressed his deep appreciation for Brekhus’s dedication, highlighting her as a key factor in his courses’ ongoing success.
Check Us Out! Wednesdays at Ellis Library
Participants can enter for a chance to win a guaranteed study space during Finals Week and other prizes! Learn more a the Check Us Out Information Page.
Wednesdays at the Library with Special Collections and Archives
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! See pieces from our Special Collections and Archives and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Connect the Library to Your Google Scholar
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about Google Scholar and enter for a chance to win.
Wednesdays at the Library: Banned Books and Intellectual Freedom
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about Intellectual Freedom and Banned Books and enter for a chance to win a guaranteed study space during Finals Week and other prizes!
Wednesdays at the Library: Discover@MU
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Compete with a librarian to find a resource in Discover@MU for a chance to win a guaranteed study space during Finals Week and other prizes! Beat the librarian to find the resources, and get an extra entry into the drawing!
Wednesdays at the Library: Specialized Libraries
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about the specialized libraries for a chance to win a guaranteed study space during Finals Week and other prizes!
Wednesdays at the Library: Museum of Anthropology
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about the Museum of Anthropology and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Museum of Art and Archeology
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about the Museum of Art and Archeology and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Find Your Fortune!
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Find your AI fortune and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Digital Media and Innovation Lab!
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn how you can use Ellis Library’s Digital Media and Innovation Lab and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Museum of Art and Archeology and JSTOR!
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn more about the Museum of Art and Archeology and learn how to use JSTOR to find Open Access Images and enter for a chance to win!
Wednesdays at the Library: Identifying Misinformation!
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 11a -1p in Ellis Library Colonnade
Get to know the MU Libraries by learning about the resources, services, and events that take place in the libraries! Learn how to identify misinformation and enter for a chance to win!
Find out how you can get additional entries into the drawing by visiting the Check Us Out Information Page.
Highlighted Newshub Posts of the Week
Thanks to Volunteers Who Helped With Tabling and Tours
Student Success Librarians, Abbie Brown and Jill Kline, want to thank all the volunteers who tabled and gave tours in Ellis Library from Aug. 12 – 28. We welcomed and answered questions for 759 people and gave tours for 111! Thank you!
Volunteers Needed for Staff Lounge Cleanup
We are looking for volunteers to help keep the staff lounge clean! The staff lounge is cleaned twice a week (Monday & Thursday) and only takes 15 or so minutes of your time. Even if you can only clean for a few days, we will appreciate any time you volunteer! If you are interested in volunteering on any Monday or Thursday during the Fall Semester or have any questions, please reach out to Kimberly Evans (krerfb@missouri.edu) and Gwen Gray (grayg@missouri.edu). Thank you!
New Muse Posts
Digital Media and Innovation Lab in Ellis Library
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 Scanners in 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.
You can make a reservation and check-in or stop by for a consultation in Room 153.
Monday – Thursday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Questions & Consultation email: ellisdml@missouri.edu
Chat With the Librarians Wherever You Are
Need research help? Working on a paper or project? You can ask a librarian for help using our chat service– almost 24 hours a day.
During the day you can chat with Mizzou librarians and library staff. At night, we offer access to a chat reference service called ChatStaff. They will be able to answer most research questions, except for some that are Mizzou-specific.
To access the chat service and see what hours chat reference is available, visit libraryanswers.missouri.edu.