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home Ellis Library, Journalism Library, Special Collections and Archives Peer Navigator Corner: Magazines

Peer Navigator Corner: Magazines

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Journalism Library Special Collections and Archives
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Written by: Annalise Miller

Print media and hard-copy magazines may feel old-school in a digital world, but are actually a great primary source that can be used to study cultural trends, analyze public opinion, examine advertising, track political and social change over time, and better understand how people experienced and interpreted events as they were happening. Mizzou Library has a great selection of magazines both online and in the library itself.

In Ellis Library, physical copies of magazines can be found in a couple of different places. New issues are located behind the Peer Navigator desk in Information Commons 2 on the first floor of Ellis, near government documents and DVDs. Once the whole year of publications are available, these physical copies are bound together and moved into the stacks based on subject.

 

The Journalism Library, located at 401 S 9th St, Columbia, MO 65211, has an even greater selection of physical copies of magazines, including Forbes, The Scientific American, TIME, and Publishers Weekly.

Special Collections, located on the fourth floor of Ellis, is another great place to explore historic magazines (amongst other things), with some collections dating back to 1805. The collection includes bridal, religious, beauty, and sports magazines, collections title Style Before Social Media: Fifteen Fashion and Beauty Magazines, and Toys and Collectibles, as well as a variety of specialty publications, such as pet care. All of these materials can be viewed by visiting the Special Collections and Archives homepage and scheduling a time to stop by.

Special Collections also has a wide selection of online magazine exhibits. “Life in America: Sixteen Black Magazines from 1953-1998” looks at the history of influential Black news and lifestyle magazines such as Ebony, Jet, Sepia, and Emerge, that served Black audiences often overlooked by mainstream media. The exhibit highlights how these publications covered news, culture, and every day life. Another exhibit examines the rise of bridal magazines, including titles like Brides and Modern Bride that shaped wedding culture. This exhibit features issues from 1992 to 2011 and explores how print media guided engaged couples through evolving trends and the bridal industry

Online publications that are not a part of Special Collections can be accessed through Discover@MU and searching specifically for Journal/Source Title, or through databases like Fashion Studies Publications that compile magazines for easy searching.  Some of these titles include the Vogue archive, Harpaars Bazaar, and Women’s Wear Daily. 

Magazines are a great resource at the University of Missouri Libraries, whether you need them for a class, for research, or just as something interesting to flip through.

home Ellis Library, Events and Exhibits, Gateway Carousel, Staff news Peer Navigator Corner: Exhibits

Peer Navigator Corner: Exhibits

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Events and Exhibits Gateway Carousel Staff news
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Written by: Allison Boedges

Ellis Library is home to a large number of exhibits and showcases from permanent fixtures, annual displays, and others that are constantly new or frequently switched out.

Permanent exhibits:

The cast gallery can be found on the second floor of the building in a quiet study space. The larger than life sculptures are a part of the Museum of Art and Archaeology’s collection (but are too tall for the museum space!) are worth a visit from every student at some point.

Also on the second floor, the M.L. Snowden Collection features multiple statues carved of bronze in the windows of the Grand Reading Room. M.L. Snowden won several of the world’s most prestigious sculpture prizes including The International Rodin Competition in Tokyo, Japan, and the inaugural Presidential Order of Merit “In Recognition of Significant Contributions to the Betterment of Humanity Through Art.”

Ellis is currently hosting a campaign buttons collection on the 1st floor of the library. The collection features the entire campaign of 1896, with all presidential  elections through 1996. The collection represents a lifetime of work by Sandy and Barry Garron, who donated their full collection to the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs in 2021.

The Museum of Anthropology is located on the ground floor of Ellis. Open from 10-4 Tuesday-Friday and 12-4 on weekends, the museum offers a multitude of exhibits designed to allow visitors to broaden their understanding of human history. The museum is currently featuring several revolving exhibits, including beautiful Native American embroidery done by dyeing and stitching porcupine quills and watercolor paintings done by Pueblo Artists in the early 20th century. More exhibits can be found online at https://anthromuseum.missouri.edu/exhibitions.

The Museum of Art and Archeology is also located on the ground floor of Ellis. With the same hours as the Museum of Anthropology, these exhibits showcase a wide range of original art and artifacts. Some exhibitions are permanent while others rotate and include everything from ancient works to contemporary art. New exhibits at the museum include a series titled From Earth to Artist: Clay, featuring works from Ancient China, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean and Catching Light: Two River Views featuring works from two early 20th century artists. Another display case holding artifacts from the museum can be found near the Peer Navigator desk on the first floor of the library. For more information about current and past exhibits, check out the Museum’s exhibition page, and updates about displays, please see the Museum’s news page.

Annual Exhibits in the Colonnade:

During Faculty Excellence Week, Ellis hosts an exhibit for all faculty who have published or edited a book in the past year. These books are part of the MU Libraries Collection and will be available in time for Faculty Excellence Week, which is May 4th to May 11th.

The Visual Art and Design Showcase is a venue for undergraduate students to display their work. Various awards are offered during this exhibition, including the MU Libraries Showcase award. The winner of this category is displayed on the first floor of Ellis Library in a case located near the Peer Navigator desk.

Each year during February, Ellis offers exhibits honoring Black History Month. These include a special book collection, art, and displays celebrating the month. For more information on exhibits and events, see https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/mulibraryexhibits/BHM.

Current Exhibits:

An exhibit honoring the 13th President of the University and namesake of the library, Elmer Ellis, displays information on this very pivotal figure in the University’s history. Under his direction, the University of Missouri grew to 4 campuses, which formed what is now known as the University of Missouri System. Additional information on Elmer Ellis, and the history of the library with his name, can be found on the Ellis Old and New section of the Library website.

The art featured in Bookmark Cafe, located on the ground floor of the library, rotates each semester. Currently, Ellis is hosting the artist René de Jesús Peña González, who generously loaned two works to the library. The first is titled Flamenco and the second, part of a larger series, is titled Sad Blue Child.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services, Staff news Peer Navigator Corner: Laptop Checkout Kiosk

Peer Navigator Corner: Laptop Checkout Kiosk

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services Staff news
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New Laptop Checkout Kiosk

Written by: Libby Gremaud 

Did you know that you can check out laptops from Ellis Library? In the past, that’s only been an option at the North Service desk, but this semester the library has added a convenient no-contact laptop checkout kiosk in the ground floor lobby! This kiosk makes checking out a laptop a total breeze, and it’s accessible any time the library is open (24/5 from Sunday-Thursday and from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Saturdays).

The laptop kiosk offers both Macbooks and PCs, both of which already have the standard Mizzou software downloaded. You can also check out portable battery chargers. The time limit for the checkouts is normally 4 hours, unless the library closes in less time than that, in which case it would be due at close. Technology is the one thing the library actually charges late fees for ($1 every hour) so make sure to return it on time! The library asks that you not take laptops out of the building, but instead enjoy one of our several different types of study areas to use it. 

I tested it, and the kiosk is super easy to operate. First, select the type of item you want to checkout: Mac, PC, or battery pack. Next, swipe your MU ID card or scan your digital ID and you’re good to go! That’s literally it! Just remember to log out of the laptop after you’re done using it. As always, if you have any questions, please stop by the Peer Navigator desk or either the West or North service desk as we are always willing to help!

home Ellis Library, Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services, Staff news Peer Navigator Corner: Your Guide to LibGuides

Peer Navigator Corner: Your Guide to LibGuides

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Gateway Carousel Resources and Services Staff news
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Your Guide to LibGuides

Written by: Isabella Bickhaus

Almost every time I write a blog post for the Libraries I find myself linking multiple LibGuides to provide more information for our readers. When brainstorming for this post, it occurred to me that you might not know what this library jargon means! In short, LibGuides (Library Guides) are library webpages, usually created by a librarian, that hold information regarding specific topics. 

Each LibGuide on our Libraries page was created to showcase resources on themes, to highlight available resources, and/or to assist with research for a specific course. If you took English 1000, there is a good chance that you encountered this Basic Research LibGuide. Course LibGuides range from pages supporting introductory Anthropology to graduate-level Civil Engineering. Finding a course LibGuide starts with selecting the “Course Guides” button on the library’s homepage, or searching for the number of your course in the top right corner. 

Not every course has a corresponding LibGuide, and if that is the case, subject LibGuides are a great resource. These are found through the same “Course Guides” link, and then using the left-hand navigation pane to switch to“Subject Guides.” The navigation pane is actually a great example of how LibGuides themselves are organized. Each one includes a main page with a general overview of the topic, with a navigation pane either on the left or as a set of tabs across the top of the page to navigate to more specific information related to that topic. 

LibGuides are not limited to research materials, but also include interesting resources that the library and Mizzou have to offer. For example, this LibGuide gives the inside scoop on the Fun Stuff at the Library. You can explore what the BYOB Book club is reading, or this Morbidly Curious LibGuide if you “prefer the darker side of non-fiction.” You can also find resources on things like voting and applying to graduate school. The library’s most popular LibGuide provides resources on determining Price and Wages by decade, beginning in the 1700s. 

Check out this list of all the LibGuides the library has to offer!

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services, Staff news Peer Navigator Corner: Printing @ Mizzou

Peer Navigator Corner: Printing @ Mizzou

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services Staff news
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A computer printer. Text: Peer Navigator Corner, Printing @ Mizzou

Written by: Annalise Miller

Printing on campus is easier than you might think – whether you are completing the process from your own laptop or making use of the Ellis Library desktops, at Mizzou you are able to print from almost anywhere and pick up your pages in minutes.

One way to print at Mizzou is by downloading the PrintSmart software onto your own personal laptop. To get started, visit the Division of IT’s site printsmart.missouri.edu. Login using your pawprint (your university email before “@umsystem.edu”) and your regular UM System password. There are two tabs at the top which are sometimes a bit tricky to see, but you’ll want to be on the ‘Print Anywhere’ tab. From here, you will be prompted to select an operating system, category, and preferred printer. Ellis Library technically falls under the category of “Computing Site,” and you’ll find options for all the printer banks including the color printer. Ellis Library has printers on the first and fourth floor, but you will also find printers conveniently at the Student Center, resident halls, and other libraries across campus.

Printing is also accessible through Ellis library desktops throughout the computing labs and the ‘QuickPrint’ stations on the first floor. At these stations you do not have to download PrintSmart software – you can simply login to the desktop with your pawprint and password, open your document, and send it to print. This option is especially useful if you are already studying in Ellis or need to print something quickly between classes.

All students have a semester print allowance that covers most basic needs. In the fall and spring semesters, undergraduate students are allocated $17.50, and graduate/professional students $25. Students enrolled in summer classes have $7 to go towards print jobs. Standard black-and-white pages are just 5 cents each, while color pages are 50 cents. 11×17 prints range from 10 cents in black-and-white, to $1 in color.

If you run into issues or have questions about printing, support is always available. You can reach out to the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) through a live chat option on their website, doit.missouri.edu, by sending an email, or by visiting Tiger Tech on the lower level of the student center. You can also stop by and ask the Peer Navigators in Ellis Library for assistance.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services, Staff news Peer Navigator Corner: The Writing Center’s New Location!

Peer Navigator Corner: The Writing Center’s New Location!

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services Staff news
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Written by: Mekenzie Moffet

Did you know the Writing Center has officially moved to Ellis Library? Many students aren’t aware of this change, but it’s a great update. Now it’s easier than ever to get help with both writing and research in one place.

The Writing Center is an incredible resource for students who need support with essays, research papers, writing cover letters, or any other kind of writing project. Whether you’re just getting started and needing an outline or putting on the final touches, the Writing Center staff can help you strengthen your writing and build confidence in your work.

In the past, the Writing Center was located in the University of Missouri’s Student Success Center, with additional writing tutors located on the first floor of Ellis Library just above the cafe. This summer, the Writing Center officially moved to its new home inside Ellis Library, Room 115, just to the right of the North entrance, making it even more convenient to get both writing and research help when you’re already in the library studying.

You can drop-in for quick feedback or schedule a one-on-one appointment with a writing tutor. Make an appointment here: https://writingcenter.missouri.edu/ 

One major advantage of the new Ellis location is that writing help and research support are now in the same place. Since research consultations often also happen in 115 Ellis, you can get help with both your research and writing in a single visit. You’ll also be surrounded by study spaces, quiet reading areas, and plenty of academic resources.

So the next time you’re working on a paper, make an appointment or simply stop by Room 115 and make the most of this great campus resource.

home Ellis Library, Journalism Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Skip the Paywall – Access Newspaper Articles

Peer Navigator Corner: Skip the Paywall – Access Newspaper Articles

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Journalism Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Isabella Bickhaus

Almost every time I click to read an interesting news article on my phone or laptop, I’m blocked by a paywall. Although I know how to use the library to find academic articles for free, news articles are a lot trickier. This struggle is one I know other students share. 

Looking to get your hands on paper? Physical copies of current newspapers can be found in both Ellis Library and the Journalism Library on campus. In room 114 on the north wall, Ellis currently stocks these newspaper and magazine titles:

  • Catholic Worker
  • Columbia Daily Tribune
  • Columbia Missourian
  • Education Week
  • Die Zeit
  • Footwear News
  • Kansas City Star
  • London Review of Books
  • New York Times
  • New Yorks Times Book Review
  • Pensions and Investments
  • Public Citizen News
  • St. Louis Post-Dispatch
  • Three Penny Review
  • Times Literary Supplement
  • Wall Street Journal
  • Wall Street Journal Magazine

 

Above these shelves are QR codes that provide access to digital versions of some listed newspapers, requiring an MU login. These items cannot be checked out, but there is no limit to in-library use. As tempting as it might be to fill out the crossword puzzles, please also refrain from writing on library copies! The Journalism Library stocks many of the same titles in front of its checkout desk.

If you’re looking for historical newspapers, the ProQuest Historical Newspapers digital database offers full-image copies of ten major historical newspapers. This database spans from 1850s New York Times articles all the way up to Kansas City Call articles from 2010. With over a century of articles, there are a myriad of topics to read about, like privateering in the Civil War, attending the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and organizing the 1984 LA Olympics. It is easy to narrow your search by date, article type, publication, and more. To learn how to find this database and other resources, check out this page “How Do I Find?” linked on the library’s home page. 

To access current newspaper articles, one option for students is Factiva. This database provides access to global, national, and regional news articles from the past two weeks in 28 languages. The layout of this site is more like an academic database site and less like a general-use newspaper website. Because of this, ProQuest has provided a LibGuide on how to successfully navigate Factiva. 

Still can’t get your hands on the article you want? Check out this guide from the Journalism Library for more resources. The new browser extension for MU students called Lean Library may also help you skip the paywall. You can also always ask for help either through the Libraries chat, via email, or by scheduling a quick consultation!

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Ellis Ground Floor – Late Nights and the Cafe

Peer Navigator Corner: Ellis Ground Floor – Late Nights and the Cafe

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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By: Annalise Miller

If you are a fan of late-night studying in Ellis you may be aware of one of the big changes this year – the closing of most areas of the library after 12:00 a.m., leaving only the ground floor open all night. Because of this change, service desk operations have been adjusted and the desk on the ground floor by the west exit now remains staffed all hours to support students and maintain safety and access once the rest of the library closes.

The ground floor of Ellis Library is filled with cozy study spots perfect for staying focused through the late-night hours and early mornings, until the rest of the library opens at 7:00 a.m. Much of this late-night seating is centered around the Bookmark Café, a favorite spot for Mizzou students and library patrons. The café serves everything from pastries and sandwiches to tea, smoothies, and a wide selection of coffee and espresso drinks, making it easy to refuel without leaving your study session.

Dining Dollars are accepted at the Bookmark Cafe, which is open Monday – Wednesday from 7:30a.m. – 8:00p.m., Thursday from 7:30a.m. – 5:00p.m., and Friday from 7:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.

If you plan to study in Ellis after 12:00 a.m., make sure that you bring your ID and grab a latte from the Bookmark Cafe before it closes. Happy studying, Tigers!

home Ellis Library, Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Research Resources

Peer Navigator Corner: Research Resources

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Gateway Carousel Resources and Services
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Written by: Jariyatu Abdul Rashid

The Mizzou Libraries are not just a place to borrow books; they’re a hub for research support. Sure, it has quiet study spaces and shelves stacked with books, but behind all of that is a network of resources designed to make your academic life easier. The library has tools to help with doing assignments, preparing for a presentation, or working on projects. Most of us take some courses that involve lots of writing, at least once, before graduation. And let’s be honest, writing usually comes with research. Even if you’re not in an English class, plenty of courses require some form of research, whether it’s a lab report, a case study, or a group project. Fortunately, the library has exactly what we need; research resources, knowledgeable librarians, and materials that go far beyond what you can find on your own. 

Databases: Here’s the thing, Google is fine for quick answers, but when you need credible, peer-reviewed sources, the libraries have your back. Through the Find a Database page, you can access collections that cover every subject imaginable.

Some of the most popular ones include JSTOR, great for humanities and social sciences, PubMed, perfect for health sciences and biology, PsycINFO, a must for psychology majors, and Business Source Complete for business, marketing, and economics.

Normally, these databases and articles are locked behind expensive paywalls, but as a Mizzou student, you get them for free. That’s a huge deal when you’re trying to impress your professor with solid sources. For example, instead of citing a random blog post, you can pull a peer-reviewed article from JSTOR or PubMed that gives your paper credibility. Also, in many classes, using peer-reviewed resources is required for research.

Research Guides: If you’ve ever felt lost about where to even start, the libraries also have Research Guides created by subject librarians. Think of them as roadmaps for your major. Instead of digging through endless options for resources, the guides point you straight to the best ones for your field. For example: Political Science majors can find guides for government and policy research. Biology students can access resources for lab studies and medical research, and Business students can dive into market data, company reports, and industry trends. It’s like having a librarian whispering, “Here’s where to look first.” These guides can save hours of wasted time and frustration. Personally, I wish I had known about them earlier. My first research paper would have been a lot less stressful if I had followed a guide instead of clicking through random websites.

Here’s another thing I wish I knew earlier: you can schedule a research consultation with a librarian. Yep, a real person will sit down with you (in person or online) and help you brainstorm keywords, find sources, and even figure out if your sources are reliable.

It’s basically like having a research coach, and it can save you hours of frustration. Imagine spending three hours searching for articles on your own, only to come up empty-handed. A librarian can often point you to the right database or search term in minutes. They’ve seen it all before, and they know the shortcuts.

Citations: Citations are the part of research papers that nobody enjoys. Formatting in MLA, APA, or Chicago style can feel like learning a new language. Luckily, the libraries offer workshops on tools like Zotero which organize your sources and automatically generate citations. Imagine finishing your paper and having your bibliography done in seconds- it’s a total game-changer. The organization also means if you’re working on a big project or even a thesis, you won’t lose track of where your information came from.

Here’s the truth: The libraries aren’t  just a place to cram before finals or to grab coffee at Bookmark Café. They’re a resource that can make your life as a student so much easier. Instead of panicking over where to find credible sources, you can use the libraries’ tools and people to get ahead. The next time you’re staring at a blank Word document, don’t just rely on Google. Check out Ellis Library’s Research Help page, explore a subject guide, or book a consultation. Not only will your research be stronger, but you’ll also save yourself a lot of stress.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Finding a Book

Peer Navigator Corner: Finding a Book

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Libby Gremaud

Have you ever needed a book in the library but couldn’t understand what the random numbers and letters in the call number meant? Have you ever gotten lost in the stacks while looking for a book? The call numbers can be confusing for someone who isn’t familiar with them, but once you learn how it works, you can find any book you want in the library! 

The library uses a few different systems of call numbers. If it begins with a letter, it is a Library of Congress call number, which is the main system used in academic libraries. These organize the books into subjects, with each grouping of numbers representing a more specialized topic. For example, the letter J is for Political Science books. The second letter represents an even more specific topic. In particular, JC is the subcategory of political theory under the broader category of J for political science. What is convenient about this system is that similar topics will be located next to each other in the library. 

A few collections in Mizzou Libraries use a different system like the Dewey Decimal system, which are all number codes.

To figure out where the book you’re looking for is, first see whether it uses the Library of Congress system or the Dewey decimal system. The Library of Congress sorts its books alphabetically, so the letters that appear at the front are going to be important for finding where the book would be located. This list guides you to where in the stacks they are located: 

After going to the floor where your book is located, look at the signs on the ends of the stacks to figure out which aisle your book is in. The books are sorted by ascending number order which comes after the letters in the call number- make sure you read each number as a whole number. 300 versus 3000 would be decently far apart in the stacks. Those numbers will be printed on the spines of the books, so once you have the right aisle, go down the row and read the spines. When you’ve found the correct number, down to the last digit, there’s your book! 

If your book uses the Dewey Decimal system, there’s only a few places in the library where it might be. For the most part, books with these numbers are in 4 East or the Depository. The Depository is where all of the overflow books are located, which is off campus and doesn’t have public access. In order to retrieve a book from the Depository you have to request it and it will be sent to the library for you to pick up. If the call number for your book is 353.8, that means it will go to the Government Documents section of the library, which is located in 1 East.

While finding a book may seem difficult, once you figure out how the call numbers work, you’re good to go! Of course, if you ever need help finding your book, feel free to visit the Peer Navigator desk on the first floor or ask for help through the Libraries Chat. For more information on how to find a book, visit the Locate a Book Using its Call Number: How to Find a Book page on the library website.