home Cycle of Success, Gateway Carousel, J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library Cycle of Success: Medical Students Explore the Roots of Science at Ellis Library

Cycle of Success: Medical Students Explore the Roots of Science at Ellis Library

When Dr. Richard J. Barohn, executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs, joined a group of medical students at Ellis Library’s Special Collections, his goal was for his students to learn about the history of science. Guided by Dr. John Henry Adams, an instruction and research librarian, the students explored some of Mizzou’s antiquarian science books in the fourth-floor classroom.

“Isaac Newton once said, ‘We can see further because we are standing on the shoulders of giants,’” Barohn stated. “This visit gave our students the chance to quite literally meet those giants whose discoveries continue to shape their training.”

Students were invited to handle rare and historic volumes, a privilege once reserved for gloved hands but now safely done with clean, bare hands thanks to modern preservation practices. They began with a first edition of Galileo’s Dialogo (Florence, 1632), in which he used the newly invented telescope to confirm that the Earth revolves around the sun. They then examined two of Isaac Newton’s works: The mathematical principles of natural philosophy (London, 1729) and Opticks (London, 1730).”

The journey continued into the realm of medicine. Students read an early edition of Thomas Willis’s Practice of physick (Long, 1684), an anatomy book, where he described the intricate blood vessels of the brain—now known as the “Circle of Willis.” They also explored a first edition of Charles Bell’s The Nervous System of the Human Body (Washington, 1883), detailing the anatomy of the facial nerve and the clinical features of facial paralysis, now universally known as “Bell’s Palsy.”

Marian Toledo Candelaria, the head of Special Collections, stated, “The books that the School of Medicine students explored are some of the foundational texts of modern scientific thought. Designing relevant experiential learning opportunities is at the heart of what Special Collections offers to the Mizzou community, and students had the opportunity to touch, view, and discuss the books that contributed to making the medical field what it is today. We are thankful to Dr. Barohn and his students for championing Special Collections as an important partner in supporting STEM education at Mizzou.”

Barohn extended his thanks to the Mizzou Libraries, especially the Special Collections librarians, for making the experience possible. “Their stewardship of these collections ensures that our students can connect with the history of science and medicine in ways that inspire learning for generations to come.”

home Gateway Carousel, Gateway Carousel Zalk Veterinary Medical Library, Resources and Services Celebrate Open Access Week: Mizzou Authors Published 1,102 OA Articles in 2025

Celebrate Open Access Week: Mizzou Authors Published 1,102 OA Articles in 2025

International Open Access Week is October 20-26. This year’s theme,

Who Owns Our Knowledge, encourages reflection on how knowledge is distributed, produced, and shared, and who has access to and control over it.

So far this year, Mizzou authors have published 1,102 open-access articles. These articles have already been cited 977 times: sixteen of which have been listed as Web of Science highly cited papers.

Thank you to all of our Mizzou authors who choose to publish open access.

 

Celebrate Open Access Week: Mizzou Author on Publishing OA

MU faculty member Dr. Sharad Khare chose to publish his article, NAFLD and NAFLD Related HCC: Emerging Treatments and Clinical Trials,” in an open-access journal earlier this year. Since its publication, the paper has been recognized by Web of Science as a Highly Cited Paper—placing it in the top 1% of papers in its field based on citation count.

When asked about his decision to publish open access, Dr. Khare explained that open-access publishing ensures accepted papers “are readily available to the scientific community without any embargo.”

 Learn more about publishing open access.

home Gateway Carousel, J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, Resources and Services Royal Society of Chemistry Added to Open Access Publishing Agreements Available to MU Authors

Royal Society of Chemistry Added to Open Access Publishing Agreements Available to MU Authors

Publishing open access is a great way to keep research open and retain your copyright. We do understand that publishing open access comes with a financial commitment that you wouldn’t necessarily have with traditional publishing.

To help offset costs, Mizzou Libraries has agreements with several publishers to offer discounts and author processing charge support for the following journals.

Want to lean more? Talk with your Subject Specialist about open access in your area.

NEW AGREEMENT: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
The MU Libraries now has a Read & Publish agreement with the Royal Society of Chemistry, starting in 2024 and continuing through 2025. All charges for publishing in Hybrid, Gold and RSC Advances journals are covered for MU corresponding authors. Articles published open access in RSC journals are downloaded more often, which helps raise the visibility of your work Here is a complete RSC Journal list. Find out more.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Journals
The American Chemical Society offers a discounted open access fee to MU affiliates since MU is a Subscribing Institution. Members of ACS receive an additional discount. ACS Open Access Fee Chart

Astronomy & Astrophysics: A European Journal
Starting in 2022,  the EDP Sciences journal Astronomy & Astrophysics will be published under the Subscribe to Open (S20) model.  MU affiliated corresponding authors can publish their articles Open Access without paying APC’s (article processing charges) as long as the University of Missouri Libraries continue to subscribe to this title.

BMJ Case Reports
The Health Sciences Library subscription to BMJ Case Reports includes a waiver of the individual membership fee of £273 normally required to publish cases. Submission instructions.

Cambridge University Press Journals
MU Libraries has entered into a transformational “Read and Publish” agreement with Cambridge University Press. This agreement greatly expands electronic access to Cambridge University Press journals and provides 10 APC waivers for MU corresponding authors to publish their work OA.

Because of the limited number of waivers available with this agreement, MU Libraries has decided to support authors on a first come, first served basis. If there are remaining waivers at the end of the year, MU Libraries can retroactively make other articles OA with the approval of the author. Read more about the agreement and see a list of eligible journals

Company of Biologists
From 2023 through 2025 MU is participating in the Company of Biologist’s Read & Publish Open Access Initiative. MU authors can publish OA at no charge. Some of the journals Company of Biologists publishes include Development, Journal of Cell Science, and Journal of Experimental Biology.

Electrochemical Society (ECS) Journals
MU is a subscriber to ECS Plus, an agreement that allows MU faculty to publish their articles in Electrochemical Society (ECS) journals (Journal of the Electrochemical Society and ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology) as Open Access with no charge to the author. There are no limits on the number of papers that can be published in any given subscription year. Find out more.

Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
The University of Missouri has joined the shareholder consortium of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. This open-access journal features interdisciplinary academic research and practice articles on all things food systems. The shareholder membership, good through April 2024, covers the University of Missouri-Columbia, including MU Extension. This membership waives the typical Article Processing Charge for publishing in this journal.

Proceedings of the National Academies of Science of the United States of America (PNAS)
MU researchers publishing articles in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) receive a discounted open access fee of $2,000, compared to the regular fee of $2,500, to make their papers immediately free online. Find out more.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Celebrate Open Access Week With Mizzou Libraries

Celebrate Open Access Week With Mizzou Libraries

Open Access Week is a global event that invites us all to take action and reflect on how we share knowledge. It’s about empowering communities to have a say in how research and information are created, accessed, and used.

Open Access means free, immediate, online access to scholarly research—and the ability to use and build on that work without barriers. This openness has the potential to transform how we conduct research, teach, and innovate, impacting everything from medicine and science to industry and society as a whole.

Take some time this week to learn more about Open Access and consider: Who owns your knowledge?

home Cycle of Success, Gateway Carousel Welcome to Dylan Martin

Welcome to Dylan Martin

The Mizzou Libraries are pleased to welcome Dylan Martin as research and instruction librarian, supporting social sciences and cultural studies departments, and chairing the library’s copyright team. A passion for public service and education drives his commitment to libraries.

He began his library career as an intern at Ellis Library after earning a B.A. in English literature from Mizzou. He later completed his MLIS at the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies. He held a reference assistantship during graduate studies and completed internships focused on archives and community history.

Martin previously served as institutional repository librarian at Lincoln University of Missouri, where he supported STEM departments and led technology and media initiatives. From 2021 to 2025, he worked at Columbia’s community radio station KOPN 89.5FM, managing operations, leading a major relocation project, and eventually serving as general manager.

Now back at Mizzou Libraries, Martin brings a diverse background in librarianship, media, and community engagement. His research interests include copyright, intellectual freedom, and community history archives.

Outside of work, Martin enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, exploring new cuisines, and amateur radio (Technician Class – KE0YNK). He also enjoys tinkering with musical instruments, electronics, and mechanical devices.

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

Peer Navigator Corner: Finding a Book

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. 

home Cycle of Success, Gateway Carousel Cycle of Success: Resource Sharing Team Navigates International Law to Support Faculty Research

Cycle of Success: Resource Sharing Team Navigates International Law to Support Faculty Research

When a faculty member requested a rare academic title available only in a few libraries in Germany, the Mizzou Libraries’ Resource Sharing team sprang into action. The title was not held by any U.S. libraries, and only two German institutions participating in OCLC’s International Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service had it in their collections. Ordinarily, these libraries reliably fulfill our requests. But this time, both declined. The reason? A surprising consequence of international trade policy.

Ivy Hui, a senior library specialist in Access Services, stated, “We were informed that beginning on August 22 of this year, the Deutsche Post/DHL will not ship packages to the US due to new rules in place between the US and the EU where packages of under $800 in value are no longer exempt from duty.”

Despite the setback, the Resource Sharing team didn’t give up. They worked closely with the faculty member to identify the most critical sections of the book. With the help of the German libraries, they obtained the table of contents and secured scans of two key chapters. These were delivered to the faculty member using a different software platform, in full compliance with German copyright law.

This story is a powerful reminder of the value of the Resource Sharing/Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. Even when traditional borrowing isn’t possible, our team finds creative solutions to connect researchers with the materials they need.

home Gateway Carousel, 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
home Events and Exhibits, Gateway Carousel Dine & Draft: Write with Support (and Sandwiches!)

Dine & Draft: Write with Support (and Sandwiches!)

Got an English 1000 paper to tackle? Join us for the very first Dine & Draft on Wednesday, October 22, from 4–8 p.m. in Ellis Library rooms 115 and 114a. This event is designed just for English 1000 students who want to make real progress on their draft while having support (and food) nearby.

Here’s how it works: bring your draft-in-progress, even just your notes and outline, and settle in for a productive writing session. Writing Center tutors and research librarians will be available throughout the evening to answer your questions, give feedback, and help you move forward with confidence. Whether you’re brainstorming, structuring your essay, integrating sources, or polishing your citations, you’ll have experts right at your side.

And because writing is always easier when you’re not running on empty, we’ll have sandwiches for the first students who arrive, along with a relaxed, focused environment to keep you fueled. Think of it as a study session meets writing workshop, with a little extra motivation to get that draft done. Don’t miss this chance to knock out your English 1000 paper with expert help for when you get stuck!