“Why every scientist needs a librarian”
Nature, February 23, 2026
Article Spotlight: Why Every Scientist Needs a Librarian
“Why every scientist needs a librarian”
Nature, February 23, 2026
J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library
New Trial: Scopus AI
Mizzou Libraries has set up a trial of Scopus AI until May 4th.
Scopus AI is a search tool that utilizes generative AI (GenAI) technology to assist users in retrieving and summarizing information. Built in close collaboration with the academic community, it provides insights by surfacing information from metadata, abstracts, and author profiles in Scopus, Elsevier’s source-neutral and curated abstract and citation database.
You can access Scopus AI from the Scopus homepage and select the ‘Scopus AI’ tab.
You can provide feedback on ScopusAI at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3zrura4v
If you have questions about the database or how to use it, contact your librarian at ask@missouri.libanswers.com.
*A database trial is used to evaluate the resource and gather feedback from users to help us plan for collection changes in the future.
Overview of Recent University of Missouri Publications in Medicine and Related Fields: March 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, “Governing real-world health data as a public utility:The utility model offers a framework for ethical stewardship, patient empowerment, and distributed innovation”, was co-authored by Dr. Abu Mosa of the department of Biomed Informatics Biostat EPI. The article was published in Science (impact factor of 45.8 in 2024).
See the list of publications in medicine and related fields we retrieved for this month: https://library.muhealth.org/facpubmonthlyresult/?Month=March&Year=2026
Health Sciences Library Provides Specialized Data Support to Strengthen Faculty Research
As research becomes increasingly data driven, faculty across disciplines are facing new challenges—finding high quality datasets, designing effective data collection workflows, interpreting large datasets, and complying with evolving funder requirements. These tasks require time, expertise, and a deep understanding of the modern data landscape. Seeing a need to expand upon her data services knowledge, Piper Brown-Kingsley, the Data Services Librarian at the Health Sciences Library, recently completed the Medical Library Association (MLA) Data Services Specialization to help faculty and students navigate their complex data needs.
Building Stronger Foundations for Research
Through the specialization, Piper received advanced training in data collection methods, common data elements, and the fundamentals of health data science. These are areas where researchers often benefit from expert guidance, especially when collaborating across teams or working on long-term projects where messy or inconsistent data can spiral into major problems down the road. With her new skills, Piper can help faculty design clear, consistent, well-structured data collection workflows to ease the data analysis process. She also gained experience creating Python based data visualizations, enabling her to help researchers understand and interpret their data.
Can You Help Me Find a Dataset?
One of the most common questions we hear from faculty is: “Can you help me find a dataset?”
And it’s a good question—because finding high-quality, well documented, and appropriately sized datasets can be surprisingly difficult. Piper’s specialization deepens her ability to:
- Identify appropriate and reputable data sources.
- Evaluate whether a dataset truly fits a research question.
- Guide faculty through application or verification processes to acquire datasets.
- Assist in downloading, preparing, and managing complex data files.
These skills translate directly into real-world support. For instance, when a student needed access to the SEER Incidence Data (1975–2021) for a project on lung cancer, Piper oversaw the entire process: navigating the application, learning the specialized software required to download the data, and teaching the student how to load the data into SPSS. This kind of hands-on, problem-solving assistance is exactly what many need as they explore new avenues of research.
Supporting Grant Applications and Data Management Plans
As funding agencies increasingly emphasize transparency and data sharing, Data Management Plans (DMPs) have become essential components of successful grant proposals. However, creating a solid DMP takes expertise and time—both of which can be in short supply for busy researchers.
Piper can help you:
- Understand and meet funder requirements.
- Plan for long-term data access and preservation.
- Document datasets to enable future reuse.
- Ensure compliance with federal and institutional policies.
Piper’s guidance strengthens grant applications and ensures that research outputs remain accessible, reusable, and impactful long after the project ends. With data citations becoming more common, this kind of support will only grow in importance.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Research?
If you’re preparing a grant, searching for the right dataset, designing a data collection process, or working through a challenging analysis, our data trained librarians are here to help—whether you need a quick consultation or in-depth support.
Visit the Health Sciences Library’s Data Services page to explore resources or schedule a consultation: https://library.muhealth.org/services/data-services/
Not a health sciences faculty or student? You can reach out to your subject librarian.
Reach out early and often. Partnering with librarians at the beginning of your project can save you time and give your research a solid foundation from the very start.
Lean Library Allows You to Access Mizzou Libraries—Anywhere, Anytime
Lean Library is a free browser extension available to all current Mizzou students, faculty and staff. Whether starting your research on Google Scholar, a publisher’s site, or anywhere else online, Lean Library helps you seamlessly connect to library resources when you’re off campus or not on Tiger WiFi.
Here’s how it works:
- Automatically checks if Mizzou Libraries has access to the article or book you’re viewing.
- Provides direct links to full-text content when available.
- Prompts you to log in using MU’s Single Sign-On (SSO)—just like email or Canvas.
4 simple steps to get started
Step 1: Go to Lean Library Extension
Step 2: Install the extension
Step 3: Select the University of Missouri, Columbia
Step 4: Search for articles and journals, and enjoy quick access to all library resources
Need something we don’t have?
Lean Library makes it easy to request articles and books through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service—at no cost to you.
Book Recommendations From Your Mizzou Librarians
National Library Week is April 19th-25th, but we are always celebrating library joy.
In this list you will find books about:
- Libraries
- Librarians
- frankly, just books recommended by Mizzou librarians that may have nothing to do with libraries
You can see the list at this link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-V7mG7q-pgQSat8yw8Zhy-meX14LTtLY33tOLEuQSHU/edit?sp=sharing
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Publish Open Access for Free with New Read & Publish Agreements
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 that offer discounts and support of article processing charges (APCs) for the following journals.
Want to learn more? Talk with your subject librarian about open access in your area.
Visit here for a complete list of discounts and APC support.
New Agreements:
American Chemical Society
Starting January 1, 2026, Mizzou Libraries has a Read & Publish agreement with the American Chemical Society. Authors will have the option during the publication process to have their open-access fees covered under this agreement. Click here for a list of ACS journals included in the UMECO Consortium agreement, which includes the University of Missouri.
Sage
The University of Missouri has a read-and-publish deal with Sage for open access for MU authors on its complete premier journals package for the calendar year 2026. Here is a spreadsheet of the Sage premier journals.
Springer
The University of Missouri has a read and publish agreement with Springer for open access for MU authors on all titles except Nature and Scientific American titles. The effective dates are January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028.
Overview of Recent University of Missouri Publications in Medicine and Related Fields: January 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, “Multicenter Study on the Safety of Pulsed Field Ablation in Over 40,000 Patients: MANIFEST-US”, was co-authored by Dr. Sandeep Gautam of the Division of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine. The article was published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology (impact factor of 22.3 in 2024).
See the list of publications in medicine and related fields we retrieved for this month.