home Gateway Carousel, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Fiction and Fantasy

Peer Navigator Corner: Fiction and Fantasy

Can I find fiction/fantasy books at Ellis Library?
Written by: Clementine Arneson

Ellis Library is a research library, so it doesn’t hugely prioritize housing the newest fiction and fantasy books that may have just been released. However, there are options for patrons looking to find something fun to read in their spare time.

As always, if you know that Ellis has a book and you have the call number, you can find the book using our call number location guide on our website. However, just browsing through these sections can be fun and can introduce you to many new reads.

 

Ellis Library also has a partnership with the Daniel Boone Regional Library, with a small section of public library books that can be checked out onsite by Ellis patrons. This shelf is located on the first floor, in room 115, to the left of the north entrance. The selection is relatively small, but this shelf is more likely to have recent releases. As of this writing, romance, thriller, and science fiction novels are pretty well represented in this area.

 

Ellis’s literature section is another place to look. This might require a little more browsing, since our novels, poetry books, plays, short stories, and literary criticism are all located in approximately the same area. These books can be found in the PQ 6 to PZ 4 call number range in the 2 East stacks. These books may not be as contemporary or on trend as the public library’s selection, but we have hundreds of books to browse and choose from. Speaking from my own experience, I have found classics like A Tale of Two Cities and older popular fiction, like The Valley of the Dolls in this section. I have also been able to find some rarer fiction, most recently The House of Childhood.

Finally, the juvenile books section, located in the 4 East stacks is a good place to look. This area does house books for children, but it also has many popular teen fantasy reads, such as Twilight and Harry Potter. Browsing in the call number range JUV AG to JUV ZA should turn up at least a few commonly read titles like these.

If you aren’t finding what you’re looking for in Ellis, the Daniel Boone Regional Library is another great option. It is located a little less than a mile away from Ellis, and has many more new releases and a much larger selection of popular ebooks than Ellis. Students who live in Columbia can apply for a library card online at this link: https://www.dbrl.org/library-card-application. You can also request a book you’re looking for through Ellis’s interlibrary loan service or through MOBIUS. These services utilize a network of libraries and can deliver books from across the state to Ellis Library. You can learn more about these services and how to use them at the following links: https://library.missouri.edu/news/ellis-library/peer-navigator-corner-mobius-lending and https://library.missouri.edu/news/ellis-library/peer-navigator-corner-interlibrary-loan-for-articles. Happy reading!

home Ellis Library Peer Navigator Corner: Unique Media Formats

Peer Navigator Corner: Unique Media Formats

Ellis Library and Unique Media
By: Josiah Abbott

I am sure everyone reading this article is aware that Ellis Library houses a large collection of books. If you’ve explored the library due to a project or just fascination, you may have come across journals or perhaps government documents. However, Ellis has an even larger collection of special media, ranging from oversized books to DVDs to children’s books.

First, one of my personal favorite forms of media: oversized books. If the name has not made it clear, these are books that are far larger than typical, to the extent that they often don’t fit in the stacks. I find these to be some of the most artistic and intriguing forms of literature. They are mostly in the large reading rooms on the second floor but can also be found on the east side of the 4th floor. 

Most guests don’t come to a University Library looking for DVDs. However, Ellis has 100s of video DVDs on its shelves. From The Godfather to Napoleon Dynamite, there are DVDs for everyone to enjoy. These have a special location on the east side of the 1st floor. If you don’t have a DVD player, you can check one out at the circulation desk (in addition to external disc drives, or a projector if you want to have a watch party).

Next to the DVDs is a large collection of current journals and magazines, with the loose flimsy volumes from the current year on display before they are bound and sent upstairs to the stacks.  Nearby is a special section of Government Documents, Microfiche (a card made of transparent film used to store printed information in miniaturized form) and reference books (books for consultation; ex. dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias).

Newspapers are also a quite important piece of media, and certainly one of the most useful sources for any project. Many visitors likely expect newspapers to be in Ellis, and they would be correct. Our newspapers are kept in room 115 on the opposite side of the Lowry Mall entrance from our circulation desk. This is also where the popular reading collection from the public library, DBRL, can be found.

While not often a unique form of media, I think it is important to mention our new books are kept on two shelves in the Colonnade right near the Peer Navigator desk. The display rotates every month, so definitely something to check out every once in a while. 

Finally, we have juvenile media. I was completely unaware that we had any children’s books in Ellis until I began researching for this article, but it turns out we have an entire section dedicated to them. They are kept on the East side of the 4th floor. While juvenile fiction certainly wasn’t something I expected in the University of Missouri’s library system, it is quite refreshing after weeks, months, or even years of dealing with peer-reviewed articles. If you need a break when studying, flipping through an old childhood favorite (or a new one) is a great way to pause and slow down.

Hopefully, this has sparked a curiosity that will lead you to check out various media in Ellis. If you want to learn more about these unique forms of media or need help locating them, you can stop by the peer navigator desk.

home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: New Scanners

Peer Navigator Corner: New Scanners

By: Alyssa Westhoff

If you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a quick, high-quality scan of an important document, treasured photo, or a favorite book page, Ellis has updated technology to provide that for you! On the first floor just around the corner to the right from the Peer Navigator desk are two new ScannX scanners available for use. 

These scanners have the ability to process documents up to 18.89 x 14.17 inches per page and books 17 x 11 inches in size. Possible output formats include PDF, JPEG, single/multipage TIFF, PNG, MP3 and Word (.docx). Items can be downloaded onto a USB, put in Google Drive, sent to an email, or transferred to a mobile device with the QR Reader app. These devices make it simple to create digital copies of anything you might need, whether for class or personal use. For example, if you only need a few pages from a book, you can quickly capture and save any specific section without having to check out the entire copy!

The scanner on the left is attached to an automatic document feeder that can scan up to 100 pages at a time on both sides. This is ideal for digitizing large batches of documents, such as research papers, class notes, or archived records. Both scanners have options to edit color, orientation, and overhead lighting depending on the item being scanned. Feel free to stop by the Peer Navigator desk with any questions when creating copies for your personal, academic, or professional needs!

home Engineering Library, Gateway Carousel ELTC Peer Navigator Corner: The Engineering Library

Peer Navigator Corner: The Engineering Library

Written by: Brock Schofield

Did you know about Mizzou’s Engineering Library?
When you think of libraries at the University of Missouri, Ellis Library might be the first one that comes to mind. But did you know that Mizzou has six other branches that cater to specific academic needs? Other Peer Navigators have written about the Journalism and Health Science Libraries, but another one of these hidden gems is the Engineering Library, located in Lafferre Hall.

If you’re not an Engineering major, you might not know this library exists, it has been a cornerstone of the College of Engineering’s research since 1905. The Engineering Library is more than just a quiet place to study—it’s a treasure trove of specialized resources.

In addition to an extensive Ebook collection, over 600 full-text International Atomic Energy Agency reports on nuclear engineering, and the Knovel Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Collection with 185 titles. It also houses historical documents, including uncatalogued reports from the Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Society of Automotive Engineers Technical Papers on microfiche through 1989, making it a valuable resource for
research projects.

Even if you’re not an engineering student, the Engineering Library in Lafferre Hall can still be a great spot for quiet study. It’s a lesser-known space on campus, meaning it often has fewer distractions, making it perfect for focusing on your work in a calm, quiet environment. Whether you need a change of scenery or just a peaceful place to get things done, this library is worth checking out.

When Can You Visit?
The Engineering Library’s hours are designed to accommodate your busy schedule. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Just keep in mind that it’s closed on Saturdays, so plan accordingly if you’re gearing up for a weekend study session.

Whether you’re deep into your engineering studies or just curious about what this library has to offer, the Engineering Library is a resource you shouldn’t overlook. Next time you’re in Lafferre Hall, take a moment to explore the space and discover how it can support your academic journey.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: A Guide to Ebooks

Peer Navigator Corner: A Guide to Ebooks

Written by: Josiah Abbott

Whether you are a student or a member of the general public, books are what draw most people to a library. However, in an ever-evolving world of technology, ebooks are beginning to surpass traditional paper in terms of academic and personal use. I’m sure almost every student is familiar with both the blessings and curses of electronic course textbooks. Whether through McGraw Hill Connect or MU Online, many classes include textbooks using this more compact method. 

Before covering online textbooks more in-depth, let’s address more casual ebook experiences. If you are looking for an easy way to read (or listen) on the go, personally, I enjoy Hoopla. It has an extremely user-friendly interface and is incredibly easy to sign up for (all you need are a public library card and an email address). Libby is also easy to sign up for (requires a library card and email) and quite easy to use. One other option that isn’t freely available through a library but you may have come across is the Kindle app. It does a great job mimicking the coloring of physical books but has either a subscription fee or requires you to purchase books individually. All of these are great options each with their benefits and drawbacks, and I would encourage you to check them out for yourself to see which one you like best.

For students, however, online books rather than apps are a necessity and a potentially frustrating one at that. First and foremost, McGraw Hill Connect is likely the most used ebook service at Mizzou. Now, for most students, McGraw Hill should link to Canvas automatically through AutoAccess and there should be no issues. However, if you decide not to use AutoAccess, things become trickier. First, you need to go through Canvas to the McGraw Hill Connect page that will prompt you to purchase the ebook. You can go through them, but if you’ve purchased a copy elsewhere, you also can input a code found in the textbook on that page and it should automatically link up. If you have done these steps to link accounts and it still is not working, you may need to contact IT support and your TA or Professor. Often the issues can be fixed with a bit of troubleshooting, but I’ve occasionally experienced the Professor having trouble syncing and the whole class having the same problem. 

On the other hand, many students will be assigned reading assignments for which they can use an ebook through the University Libraries. If the Professor links the book in Canvas usually it is easy to locate, but since access is based on login, sometimes there are issues. If you can’t access through Canvas for any reason, you can use the Discover@MU search bar on the University of Missouri Libraries home page to search for the book you need. Searching for the title in quotes will redirect you to a list of resources, including the book’s details regarding availability and how to access it. It is the same process for both digital and physical resources, so to only retrieve ebooks, there is an option on the left to limit it to “online only”. To access ebooks, there is a blue link on the book’s banner that says “MU online…”, which will take you to the book in your browser. Depending on the publisher, you’ll either be able to read the book straight away, or you may have to create an account with your UMSystem email address. 

Part of the linking message will also state how many copies are available for use. Just like print books, ebooks are sold as individual copies, and the link to access will state how many there are (see image, “one user at a time”). If you are getting an error opening it, it may currently be in use, and if you are the one using it, don’t forget to close the tab when you finish so someone else can.

If you are having trouble with a book you previously could access, try clearing your cache (go to browser history and there should be a button to clear cache somewhere). If problems persist, there are several ways to get help. Online, you can contact Mizzou’s IT division by going to the live chat button at the top of their homepage, or you can start a chat with a librarian by going to the “Ask us!” pop out on the right side of the library’s homepage. If you would like help in person, you can ask one of the peer navigators at their desk on the first floor near the information commons.

 

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Live Chat Assistance

Peer Navigator Corner: Live Chat Assistance

Written By: Lexi Tucker

Do you need fast answers from a librarian without stepping foot in the library? The live chat feature on the University Libraries website has you covered! Throughout your academic journey, there will be times when you need to research a topic, and this process can be daunting. Some students may even feel they don’t know where to start. The live chat function can get you in contact with a librarian (not a chatbot!) who can guide you to databases and other resources that can help you jumpstart this process.

The first thing to know is WHERE the live chat function is. From your device, visit the University Libraries homepage at library.missouri.edu. You should see an Ask Us! tab on the right-hand side, and when you click it, an additional pop-up labeled Ellis Reference will ask you if you need help. Click Chat Now to begin the process. It will ask you for your name and contact information, which is optional, and Your Question* which is the only mandatory field.

Once you ask your initial question, the live chat will partner you with an available librarian. During regularly scheduled hours, the librarians on chat are Mizzou staff rotated throughout the day and week to help you. Live chat assistance is a 24/7 feature, and during late hours for Mizzou staff, the chat is operated by a third-party vendor. The chat is NEVER artificial intelligence, so for questions that the third-party vendor cannot answer, they typically will turn your chat into an email for the librarians to assist you and email you back as soon as possible. For a specific question, let’s say something about Psychology, the staff member may help you connect with the subject librarian.

Another way to use the chat is while you’re sitting in Ellis Library and wanting hands-on assistance. When you ask your question, you can let the librarian know you’re on campus and they may step out of their office or send a colleague to help you in person. So, when in doubt, don’t panic! Utilize all your resources, especially the amazing faculty at the various libraries on campus. They’re just a click away.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Who are the Peer Navigators?

Peer Navigator Corner: Who are the Peer Navigators?

Written by: Sophie Lanzone

At Ellis Library, there is a group of Mizzou students who are available to help with navigating the building itself, or any other technological or reference question you may have. The peer navigator system is designed so that students have an accessible environment to ask questions, and feel comfortable asking another student. We can be found at the reference desk on the first floor, near the stairs to the café.

To go into more detail on what the program offers, your peer navigators strive to have open communication with everyone as well as a friendly, welcoming attitude. Our prime responsibilities for services are to provide excellent customer service to any users of the library, to do as much as we can to help assist with your questions, to be sensitive to each user’s knowledge and skill level, and to direct you to the resources and library staff that will be most beneficial. We can help with a variety of different types of questions ranging from how to print and get set up with each printer, how to reserve a study room and where to find that study room, how to look up books and articles information on the digital media lab and writing tutors, where you can rent chargers, markers cameras, etc., where bathrooms are throughout the library, where different quiet spaces or classrooms are and more! We have weekly training courses that keep us up to date with new information and refresh the ways we can help answer your questions. We can also connect you with the best person or resource to answer your question. For example, we can tell you all about Special Collections with their collection of rare materials, the University Archives with private papers and manuscripts related to the history of the University, subject specific librarians to help with your research, and even the public library with great resources like free tutoring, audiobooks, and resume or interview help.

If you have any questions at all, don’t be afraid to come ask a peer navigator. You can find us in Ellis Library Sunday-Thursday starting at 10:00 am through 10:00 pm. There are no right or wrong questions, so please feel comfortable enough to come talk to us. Our goal is to get everyone more familiar with what the Libraries have to offer and how to utilize them throughout your time here at Mizzou!

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: What’s Going on with the West Stacks?

Peer Navigator Corner: What’s Going on with the West Stacks?

Written by: Clementine Arneson

If you’ve been into Ellis’ West Stacks any time in the past six months, you may have noticed they held fewer and fewer books. The goal of this blog post is to give a brief history of the west stacks, update you on future plans for the space, and tell you how to access the books that used to be there. 

The west stacks were an addition onto the original Ellis building, and prioritized book storage rather than study space. This explains the “scary” atmosphere – librarians used to be the only ones who went into the stacks, and it was never meant to be seen by anyone else. Eventually the space opened up for public use, and grad students rented desks in the west stacks to use as private research space. This tradition was discontinued a couple years ago, and now, the space is being cleared of books so that it can be transitioned into storage space for Special Collections and Archives. As of now, the materials under the Special Collections purview are scattered around campus. Moving them to the west stacks will make them more accessible and centralized. Since the west stacks are temperature controlled, the environment will also maintain the wellbeing of these materials.

The books that used to reside in the west stacks are still accessible to you. Some of the books have been integrated into other areas of the library, in which case you can browse the shelves to find them yourself or place a request. (It’s important to note that the call number location guide on Ellis’s website has not yet been updated to reflect these changes. However, if you are looking for a book in the west stacks and can’t find it, there should be signs taped to some of the shelves which disclose the current location of these books.) Because Ellis doesn’t have unlimited space, other books that were once in the west stacks have been moved offsite, to the MU Depository. The Depository doesn’t allow visitors, but you can check these books out by placing a request and picking them up at any MU library location. To learn more about the Depository, check out this page: https://library.missouri.edu/news/ellis-library/peer-navigator-corner-the-depository.

I’ve always liked looking for books in the West Stacks, and will miss looking around. If you want to check out the west stacks (and old study cages), feel free to seize the opportunity before they’re closed off.

home Ellis Library, Events and Exhibits Peer Navigator Corner: Exhibits

Peer Navigator Corner: Exhibits

Written by: Mekenzie Moffet

Over the summer, Ellis Library opened a new opportunity to get to know art and appreciate the work of those around you with the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Art & Archaeology. Those of you who are consistent in visiting the library may have passed another location a hundred times and passed by the changes that go on with exhibit cases and displays.  Recently, Megan Ballengee, our amazing Community Engagement Coordinator shared her knowledge with me so that I could pass along what goes on behind the display cases.  

The pictured exhibit case doesn’t have an official name, but if you ever want to check it out, it’s right across from the peer navigator desk on the first floor. This exhibit is run by various committees and displays a huge variety of different materials: projects from various classes or individual students, student organizations, heritage celebrations, artwork, and of course books. Just last month, up for display was artwork created by your librarians and faculty members. The exhibits are changed anywhere from one month to once a semester. On the second floor, there is also a long-standing exhibit curated by the State Historical Society, choosing new themes every year celebrating Black History that stays up for a whole semester.  

Megan decides what to showcase by receiving requests, or just reaching out seeing if anyone would like to show off their talent. When I asked what was special about these exhibits? She answered that, “The exhibit area is a great opportunity for people to be able to share their work and for the library to make connections with the campus community. Exhibits provide learning opportunities for people viewing the exhibit and a much-needed break from studying!”  

The current exhibit is in celebration of Homecoming (which is coming up on October 19). Special Collections and Archives shared some copies of the Savitar (the Mizzou yearbook) to display, and there is a lot of Mizzou spirit to come view! I know we’re all excited for Homecoming Week to come, but that doesn’t mean we can’t show off our tiger pride in the meantime.  

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Libraries Infographic

Peer Navigator Corner: Libraries Infographic

Written by: Alyssa Westhoff

 

The University of Missouri is a large campus with an overwhelming number of resources for students, but in my opinion a few of the most essential are the Libraries. In addition to Ellis, a couple examples include the Health Sciences Library, the Journalism Library, and the Engineering Library. Last semester, myself and two other Peer Navigators created an Infographic and video guide for incoming freshmen who may not realize that these buildings even exist, and to show more of what the Libraries have to offer!

The fourteen-minute video has different sections you can jump to explaining where each library is located on campus, Ellis specific information, how to use the libraries website, how to borrow equipment like phone chargers, and highlighting other services. It also answers the most common questions we receive as Peer Navigators such as “How do I print?” The infographic gives a quick summary of all of these different topics with video timestamps so you can easily access the certain topic you need without having to watch the entire guide.

An important update occurred over the summer that I wanted to clarify relating to printing software. One of the most common questions new students tend to ask is how to go about printing in the library. Ellis offers a “Quick Print Station” where students can log into a computer and print directly from there. The “Quick Print Station” is located on the first floor, right next to the left of the staircase leading down to the cafe and the west entrance. Another printing option that’s often more popular is to download the Print Anywhere software onto your personal laptop. In our video guide, we provide a step by step explanation of how to download this software. Over the summer, a change was made and now the website students need to search is “printsmart.missouri.edu” instead of “doit.missouri.edu,” which we reference in the video. Once you get to the Print Smart page all of the following steps remain the same as before.

Here is the link to our video guide for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to view it. Physical copies of our infographic can be found on the Peer Navigator desk, please feel free to stop by and grab one for yourself or to share, and ask us any other questions you may have in person!