It’s that time of the semester when you are most likely thinking about your final papers. We’ve got several guides to make the writing process easier.

Finding Sources

We suggest starting by looking at Databases by Subject  in your subject area. This is a quick way to find the best databases that fit your topic.

Citing Sources

Citation Styles & Tools: Citation Styles: The Basics – See tabs for APA, MLA, Chicago, and specialty citation formats.  You can also learn more about how our databases help you cite the sources you find.

Paraphrasing vs Plagiarism

Curious about the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarizing?  Check out our plagiarism tutorial and other resources here.

Writing Help

Did you know there’s a Writing Center site in Ellis Library in the Info Commons? You can sign up for a writing center appointment here.

As always, your Mizzou Librarians are available to help you through MU Connect and 24/7 chat.

No question is too big or small. We are here for you!

Need research help? Working on your final paper or project? You can ask a librarian for help using our chat service– almost 24 hours a day.

During the day you can chat with Mizzou librarians and library staff. At night, we offer access to a chat reference service called ChatStaff. They will be able to answer most research questions, except for some that are Mizzou-specific.

To access the chat service and see what hours chat reference is available, visit libraryanswers.missouri.edu.

Short on supplies? Mizzou Libraries is here for you!

Need a phone charger or whiteboard markers? Go to the Checkout & Information Desk. Need a place to store your belongings AND charge your devices? Personal storage lockers with USB chargers are now available in Ellis Library, next to the elevators on the main floor. These lockers are free to use, but a Mizzou Tiger Card (MU ID) is required for access.

Need pens, pencils, bluebooks, flash drives, or sticky notes? Checkout the supplies vending machine inside the north entrance of Ellis Library. This is stocked and maintained by the Mizzou Store. If what you are looking for is not in the vending machine, checkout the Mizzou Store. The vending machine accepts fresh bills, coins and student charge with student ID cards. If issues with the machine arise, please fill out a question/problem form (located on the vending machine) and give to the Check Out and Information desk staff.

Every student at Mizzou has many accounts they need to keep track of, and some of those accounts can help you out at the Mizzou Libraries!

Know the status of your Print Quota. Make sure you have money left if you still need to do a lot of printing! If you go over your semester allowance, you can add money to your Tiger card account to pay for additional printing. Unfortunately, student charge is no longer available for this service, so make sure and check your account regularly. To check the status of your Print Quota, click the link and log in with your username and password. You can also request refunds from this site if your print didn’t come out correctly. While you’re at it, make sure to download PrintAnywhere if you haven’t already. If you’ll be in the library, install those printers on your device now to save yourself time.

Another account to keep in mind is your MU Libraries account. This is the account that keeps track of all the books and materials you have checked out from the Mizzou Libraries. For MOBIUS items, check your MOBIUS account. If you have anything checked out through Interlibrary Loan, you can see that information by logging into your separate ILL Account. 

Additionally, something else you always want to bring with you to the Mizzou Libraries is your Student ID. After 10 pm this is how you are granted access into Ellis Library, and this is also how you check out supplies (i.e., chargers, whiteboard markers, etc.) or use available lockers during all hours that library services are open.

Before those long hours of studying during finals week, find a study spot at Mizzou Libraries. We have spaces for everyone.

If you prefer silence, check out rooms 201 and 202 in Ellis Library. Check out this Ellis Library floorplan to see all the quiet spots. Journalism also has four private personal study pods on the bottom floor that are first come, first served.

If you don’t prefer complete silence, try the Information Commons (or the first main floor of Ellis Library). Or the Bookmark Café on the ground floor for coffee and conversation. You can always take a look at the Ellis Library sensory map to find the best study space for you.

We also have new maps that help you search by type of seating by floor in Ellis Library. If you are interested in soft seating vs. tall seating, this is the map for you.

If it’s a group study spot you are searching for, try to reserve one of the group study rooms in either Ellis, Engineering, or Journalism. They can be reserved for up to two hours for each group. Some also have Solstice monitors to help groups studying together share information with one another. Whatever you need, make sure and plan ahead, as rooms fill up quickly! Currently, access to the Health Sciences Library is open during the day and badge access after 6pm and on weekends.

Remember, if your program has its own library, be sure to check out those spaces, as they are often designated specifically for you!

Need research help? Working on your final paper or project? You can ask a librarian for help using our chat service– almost 24 hours a day.

During the day you can chat with Mizzou librarians and library staff. At night, we offer access to a chat reference service called ChatStaff. They will be able to answer most research questions, except for some that are Mizzou-specific.

To access the chat service and see what hours chat reference is available, visit libraryanswers.missouri.edu.

Short on supplies? Mizzou Libraries is here for you!

Need a phone charger or whiteboard markers? Go to the Checkout & Information Desk. Need a place to store your belongings AND charge your devices? Personal storage lockers with USB chargers are now available in Ellis Library, next to the elevators on the main floor. These lockers are free to use, but a Mizzou Tiger Card (MU ID) is required for access.

Need pens, pencils, bluebooks, flash drives, or sticky notes? Checkout the supplies vending machine inside the north entrance of Ellis Library. This is stocked and maintained by the Mizzou Store. If what you are looking for is not in the vending machine, checkout the Mizzou Store. The vending machine accepts fresh bills, coins and student charge with student ID cards. If issues with the machine arise, please fill out a question/problem form (located on the vending machine) and give to the Check Out and Information desk staff.

Every student at Mizzou has many accounts they need to keep track of, and some of those accounts can help you out at the Mizzou Libraries!

Know the status of your Print Quota. Make sure you have money left if you still need to do a lot of printing! If you go over your semester allowance, you can add money to your Tiger card account to pay for additional printing. Unfortunately, student charge is no longer available for this service, so make sure and check your account regularly. To check the status of your Print Quota, click the link and log in with your username and password. You can also request refunds from this site if your print didn’t come out correctly. While you’re at it, make sure to download PrintAnywhere if you haven’t already. If you’ll be in the library, install those printers on your device now to save yourself time.

Another account to keep in mind is your MU Libraries account. This is the account that keeps track of all the books and materials you have checked out from the Mizzou Libraries. For MOBIUS items, check your MOBIUS account. If you have anything checked out through Interlibrary Loan, you can see that information by logging into your separate ILL Account. 

Additionally, something else you always want to bring with you to the Mizzou Libraries is your Student ID. After 10 pm this is how you are granted access into Ellis Library, and this is also how you check out supplies (i.e., chargers, whiteboard markers, etc.) or use available lockers during all hours that library services are open.

You made it and we couldn’t be prouder. To help get you through the finals week finish line, we have some virtual study breaks for you to try.

Send a Pet Gram!- Feeling stressed? Need a pick me up or know someone else who needs a a dose of serotonin? Send yourself, a friend, a coworker, or whoever else a pet gram to make them smile.

Color our Collections– for the past few years, Special Collections participated in a week long, social media coloring fest. You can print out and color items from our special collections and archives. And to get you in the Mizzou spirit, there’s a homecoming edition featuring drawings, cartoons, and images from the Savitar, the yearbook of the University of Missouri, published from 1894 to 2004.

Library Ambiance– miss the sounds of the library while studying? One of our favorite things to do is pull up some videos on youtube that mimic the sounds of the library, coffee shops, or our house common room. We’ve curated a list of our favorites to share with you.

Finals Jam Playlist– need a playlist to help you study? We got you covered. This is a list of some of our favorite songs. If you have a suggestion let us know!

Virtual Puzzles– If puzzles are your thing, virtual puzzles can be a nice break from studying. You can even work on the Ellis Library Grand Reading Room.

Animal Cams at the St. Louis Zoo– Animal therapy is backed by science and instantly  makes you feel better.

5 Best Mindfulness Apps– This website provides a break down, including pros and cons for each, that help you decide which app is best for you. We’ve become fans of Simple Habit.

If in-person activities are more for you, several of our libraries will have some stress relief activities:

• Ellis Library
  • MSA’s Wellness in Ellis, Wednesday, Dec. 7th 1-3pm
• Engineering Library
  • Hot Cocoa Bar Monday, Dec. 12th from 11-1
  • DIY Winter Decoration Wednesday, Dec. 14th from 11-1, while supplies last
• Health Sciences Library
  • Rubber Duck Hunt
  • Essential Oil Diffuser until supplies last
  • Snack Bags
• Journalism Library
  • Grab-and-Go Trail Mix Bar the week before finals
  • Research Cafe the week of finals
    • Free hot chocolate for asking a research question
• Vet Med Library
  • Monday, Dec. 12th- Tuesday, Dec. 13th: Snacks and free buttons/magnets