home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services New! A Sensory Room in Ellis Library!

New! A Sensory Room in Ellis Library!

Ellis Library Study Room 2E21 has been redesigned to incorporate sensory & well-being features! Located on the second floor, just east of the reading room, the room now contains acoustic panels to reduce noise, a faux plant for a natural feel, a dimmable color-changing lamp, and a ball chair and mat for flexible seating. All students can reserve and use the room for sensory needs, studying, or relaxation.
Sensory rooms are spaces designed with calming or stimulating features—such as lights, sounds, textures, and interactive items—to support relaxation, focus, and sensory regulation. These rooms are often used to reduce stress, improve focus and are especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed or need help staying engaged.

In addition to the space, sensory kits and items are now available to borrow at the North Service Desk. Sensory items can be tools, toys, or materials designed to stimulate or calm one or more senses. They’re often used for sensory regulation, focus, stress relief, or therapeutic purposes. They can be useful for people with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing needs, but they’re helpful for anyone. Items available include: yoga mats with poses, a meditation cushion, noise-dampening ear muffs, a SAD lamp, a weighted lap blanket, and a white noise machine. The available sensory kits are: fidgets, self-soothing items, mindfulness & meditation and self-care.

For pictures and more information, see the Sensory & Wellbeing in the Library LibGuide.

Mizzou Libraries Acquire SAGE Impact Collection

Mizzou Libraries have acquired the SAGE Impact Collection, expanding access to a wide range of digital resources that support research, teaching and student success. The collection provides perpetual access to SAGE learning resources—including academic books, videos, datasets, business cases, and Sage Research Methods alongside the SAGE Premier Journal Package, which includes more than 1,000 peer-reviewed journals.

Vice Provost Kara Whatley states, “This acquisition represents a strategic investment in the university’s academic mission, and is in alignment with institutional priorities around affordability, research excellence and digital learning. By securing the collection as a portfolio‑level acquisition, Mizzou Libraries can deliver significantly more content and long‑term value than would be possible through individual purchases.”

The acquisition also includes a Read & Publish agreement that covers open access publishing costs for University of Missouri authors in SAGE journals, helping remove financial barriers to sharing research. With seamless Canvas integration, accessibility features, and dedicated faculty engagement support, the SAGE Impact Collection strengthens affordability, interdisciplinary learning and research visibility across campus.

Sage Impact Collection

Contact your subject librarian for more information.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services, Special Collections and Archives Special Collections and University Archives Returns to West With More Accessibility

Special Collections and University Archives Returns to West With More Accessibility

The Special Collections and University Archives, which were temporarily housed in Ellis Library on 4 East, will return to their permanent location on 4 West on April 1. The units will be closed March 31 through April 2 and will reopen in their 4 West space on Friday, April 3.

The stairlift on the staircase leading from the third floor to 4 West has been replaced with a new vertical lift.

Thank you for your patience during this improvement, which will provide enhanced accessibility to the 4 West area.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Book a Librarian for Research Help

Book a Librarian for Research Help

Whether you are starting your first research project or have written a dozen articles, you can benefit from a consultation with a librarian. It’s free and you can book online in advance according to your schedule.

Librarians can meet with you virtually or in-person.

MU Students can use Canvas to schedule an appointment via MU Connect* and meet with the librarian assigned to your class. Students, if you book a research consultation with a librarian, you can earn a point towards your S.T.A.R. recognition.

MU Faculty and Staff can fill out the form to schedule an appointment.

*What is MU Connect, and how do you use it? Watch this short video to find out and make an appointment today.

home Resources and Services Wellbeing Book Collection Available for Checkout

Wellbeing Book Collection Available for Checkout

The Wellbeing Collection consists of hundreds of new books for students, faculty and staff who want to focus on their mental health or just need a break from the stress of everyday life. The collection can be found on the first floor in Ellis Library, near the atrium (just ask any staff member to point you in the right direction).

The collection includes books from the following subject categories:

· General Wellbeing: sleep, yoga, movement, meditation

· College Basics: cooking, time management, laundry, dorm life

· Student Success: study tips, note-taking, first-year support, first generation student topics

· New Adulting: budgeting, personal finance, relationships, communication

· Mental Health: stress relief, anxiety and depression, happiness, neurodivergence support

· Skill Development: leadership, public speaking, self-help

· Leisure Reading: popular fiction and non-fiction titles

· Hobbies: gardening, crochet, manga drawing, gaming

This collection was made possible by Mizzou Forward Student Success Enhancement Grant.

TAGS:

Taira Meadowcroft

Taira Meadowcroft is the Public Health and Community Engagement Librarian at the Health Sciences Library at the University of Missouri.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Lockers With Chargers Available in Ellis Library

Lockers With Chargers Available in Ellis Library

Looking for a place to store your items and charge your phone? Personal storage lockers with USB chargers are available in Ellis Library, next to the elevators on the main floor.

These lockers are free to use, but a Mizzou TigerCard (MU ID) is required for access. If you do not have a physical MU ID, you can check out a temporary ID at the North Service Desk, which will allow you to use the lockers. These lockers were purchased with funds from the Enhance Mizzou student fee.

Spacesaver Lockers

  • There are two USB charger ports to charge electronic devices in each locker. Chargers are available at the Check Out and Information Desk.
  • You can only use one locker at a time.
  • Lockers can only be used for one day at a time. Any items left in the lockers overnight will be taken to Lost and Found at the Ellis Library West Entrance Desk.

Instructions

  • Push on the door to open the locker door. Available lockers have a green light on the numbered panel. Occupied lockers have a red light.
  • Put Items in the locker. Charge electronic devices by plugging into USB charger ports.
  • Close locker door. Press your Mizzou TigerCard against the numbered panel to lock the door. The light will turn red. Remember your locker number.
  • Open the locked door by pressing your Mizzou TigerCard against the numbered panel. The light will turn green and the door will open.

Contact the West or North Service desks if you have any problems using the lockers.

home Gateway Carousel, J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, Resources and Services Mizzou Libraries Launch New Strategic Plan to Strengthen Learning, Discovery and Community Impact

Mizzou Libraries Launch New Strategic Plan to Strengthen Learning, Discovery and Community Impact

The University of Missouri Libraries has unveiled a new strategic plan that sets a clear, values‑driven direction for the Libraries’ future as the University’s scholarly home. Grounded in sustainability, adaptability and service to the Mizzou community, the plan outlines how the Libraries will focus resources, strengthen impact and support teaching, learning and research across the University.

“Mizzou Libraries are essential to the University’s scholarly environment,” the plan states, emphasizing a commitment to empowering everyone at Mizzou to explore, learn and discover. The strategic plan affirms the Libraries’ role in delivering services and resources that help every member of the University community thrive while adapting in strategic, creative and sustainable ways to meet current realities.

Central to the strategic plan are clearly defined strategic priorities, each supported by objectives designed to guide action and measure progress. These priorities build on the Libraries’ existing strengths while ensuring that future efforts remain visible, relevant and meaningful to Mizzou and the broader community:

  1. Sustainable Revitalization: Recalibrate and revitalize programs, spaces and practices to match current realities and resources. By focusing on what is achievable and meaningful, the Libraries will deliver visible wins, strengthen morale, and focus energy where it matters most, laying the groundwork for the Libraries’ future.
  2. Every Student’s Success: Building on the Libraries’ strengths in supporting undergraduates to support students at every level. These avenues of support prepare students for a changing digital landscape and reflect that the Libraries are a cornerstone to every student’s success.
  3. Revealing Research: Showcase the Libraries’ role in creating, preserving and connecting Mizzou’s research to the world. By surfacing its role in the research process, securing durable digital infrastructure, and leveraging campus and statewide partnerships, the Libraries will ensure Mizzou’s research is visible, valued and impactful.
  4. The Library and Our Land-Grant Mission: Advance Mizzou’s land-grant mission by extending knowledge, expertise and resources beyond campus to serve the people of Missouri. Through statewide and system-wide partnerships, distinct local collections, and services responsive to community needs, the Libraries will share knowledge and tools to support the people of Missouri.

Throughout the plan, Mizzou Libraries reaffirm their core values: engaging staff and partners with respect, celebrating Mizzou’s excellence in research and creativity, and fostering a culture of learning, assessment and continuous improvement. These values guide decision‑making and underscore the Libraries’ commitment to serving students, faculty staff and researchers at every stage of their academic journeys.

The full strategic plan is available online.

home J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, Resources and Services Overview of Recent University of Missouri Publications in Medicine and Related Fields: February 2026

Overview of Recent University of Missouri Publications in Medicine and Related Fields: February 2026

Each month we provide an overview of University of Missouri School of Medicine faculty-authored articles in medicine and related fields as well as a featured article with the highest journal impact factor.

This month’s featured article, “An Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugate for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1”, was co-authored by Dr. W. David Arnold of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The article was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (impact factor of 78.5 in 2024).

See the list of publications in medicine and related fields we retrieved for this month: https://library.muhealth.org/facpubmonthlyresult/?Month=February&Year=2026 

TAGS:

Taira Meadowcroft

Taira Meadowcroft is the Public Health and Community Engagement Librarian at the Health Sciences Library at the University of Missouri.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services, Support the Libraries Expanding Access to Music Resources at Mizzou Libraries

Expanding Access to Music Resources at Mizzou Libraries

Mizzou is dedicated to preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the world—as performers, composers, teachers and scholars—while expanding the understanding and impact of music through performance, composition and research. Mizzou Libraries plays a vital role in this mission, and thanks to generous donor support, that role continues to grow.

Since joining Mizzou Libraries, Music Librarian Janet Hilts has been focused on strengthening and expanding music collections to better serve the academic community. Recent investments have significantly enhanced access to both digital and print resources that support performance, instruction and research across the School of Music.

One notable addition is IPA Source, a digital tool designed especially for voice performance students. This resource provides International Phonetic Alphabet transcriptions of aria and art song texts, supporting accurate pronunciation and deeper engagement with vocal repertoire.
Another major enhancement is the new subscription to nkoda, a vast digital sheet music library. Through nkoda, students and faculty now have access to high-quality editions and in-copyright works for performance, analysis research and instruction. These materials were previously difficult or impossible to access at this scale.

These digital investments are complemented by substantial growth in physical collections. Between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, the number of music scores and books acquired annually increased by 123 percent. In fiscal year 2025 alone, 302 new music resources were added to the collection. This expansion was made possible in large part by the collaborative efforts of humanities librarians, who worked together to reallocate monograph funds more equitably. As a result, the fund for score and music book purchases increased by 79 percent.

With more music resources comes more behind-the-scenes work. The expertise and dedication of the Acquisitions, Collections and Technical Services team have been essential in ensuring these materials are acquired, processed and made accessible to users. Their efforts help transform donor generosity into tangible impact for students and faculty.

Collaboration between Mizzou Libraries and the School of Music continues to deepen. Currently in development is an ensemble sheet music collection project, along with ongoing efforts to add digital scores of new music by living composers. These initiatives point toward an exciting future of continued growth and innovation.

Your support helps ensure that Mizzou’s musicians have the resources they need to learn, create, and perform—today and for years to come. If you’d like to learn more about creating an endowment to support the Mizzou Libraries contact Matt Gaunt.

home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Digital Media and Innovation Lab in Ellis Library

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: 10 am – 7 pm
Friday: 10 am – 3 pm

Questions & Consultation email: ellisdml@missouri.edu