An interfaith meditation and prayer space is designated for use at the southeast corner of the first floor that offers a secluded space in Ellis library.
We’ve placed signage in the area that requests respect for those engaged in meditation or prayer. In less busy times, you might be able to reserve an open study room for a more private space.
The University of Missouri Libraries are pleased to share the appointment of Kara Whatley as vice provost for libraries and university librarian, effective Sept. 16, 2024. Whatley comes to us from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where she served as the chief executive of the Caltech Library system.
Whatley’s previous roles include positions of increasing leadership at Texas Tech University Libraries and New York University Libraries. Throughout her career, she has shown a consistent strategic focus on catalyzing information discovery, preservation and sharing to support the university mission.
She is a member of the Association of College Research Libraries (ACRL) and is currently serving as the ACRL Division Councilor and the ACRL representative to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Science and Technologies section. She also currently serves as a member of the Elsevier North American Library Advisory Board, the EBSCO North American Deans and Directors Library Advisory Board and the Springer Nature Library Advisory Board.
The Libraries are also thankful to Jeannette Pierce, who served as interim vice provost for libraries and university librarian after Deb Ward’s retirement in May. Please join us in welcoming Kara Whatley to Mizzou and congratulating Jeannette Pierce.
The time has arrived! Our new Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian, Kara Whatley, will begin work with us this coming Monday, September 16th.
I shared in our August All Staff meeting that Kara will be meeting with direct reports when she gets to campus and is eager to connect with all our units and departments. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know people by name. Kara encourages everyone to say hello and introduce themselves when they see her.
It has been a pleasure to serve as the Interim VP for Libraires. The experience has certainly proven to me that there is always more to learn about the good work we are doing in our libraries and the processes that enable that good work to happen. Thank you to everyone for working together to keep our operations running smoothly during this transition period.
This is an exciting time for the University of Missouri Libraries. It is a time to think optimistically about how we can best serve the University of Missouri now and in the future. I look forward to continuing work with all of you in my role as Associate University Librarian for Research, Access, and Instructional Services as we enter a new era for the University of Missouri Libraries.
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.
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.
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!
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!