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home Gateway Carousel, Government Information Peer Navigator Corner: Government Documents

Peer Navigator Corner: Government Documents

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Gateway Carousel Government Information
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Written by: Sophie Lanzone

Ellis Library has a diverse set of collections, including our extensive section on Government Documents. The library has been a participant in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) since 1862, which allows it to provide public access to a wide range of federal government publications. These documents are located on the east side of the first floor and include various types of government information, such as agency reports, appropriations, census data, and Supreme Court decisions. The collection offers a rich source of historical and current information that can support research in fields like education, social work, political science, economics, public policy, law, and history.

In addition to federal documents, Ellis Library also holds Missouri state government documents. These publications are integrated into the general library collections under standard call numbers, such as the Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal system, making them easy to find alongside other academic materials. The library also maintains government documents in microfiche format, which are stored in drawers near the Government Documents office. Students and faculty studying political science or are just interested in public policy can use federal and state reports to analyze the effects of government decisions and track policy changes over time. Students can use these resources to develop case studies, research papers, and presentations. The accessibility and diversity of government documents make them a critical resource for anyone seeking to understand the workings of government and its influence on various aspects of society.

When you navigate to the Government Documents tab under “Libraries & Collections,” you’ll find a comprehensive guide to various government documents. On the left side, you can choose between Federal or Missouri documents. The guide includes resources like agency reports, census data, appropriations, and Supreme Court decisions, organized alphabetically by document type. Use the left navigation bar for more details on federal, state, or local information. You can access the guide here. You can also explore the Government Documents Policy and Procedure Guide, which outlines the collection’s various aspects. For example, the maps section includes national park maps, army mapping services, jet navigation charts, tactical pilotage charts, and more. To learn more about different resources, you can access the guide here.

For assistance in locating and using these resources, the Government Documents office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The staff can help guide researchers to the appropriate materials and provide insight into how to navigate the collection effectively. This ensures that students and researchers can make the most of the extensive government document resources available at Ellis Library.

home Zalk Veterinary Medical Library Peer Navigator Corner: Veterinary Medical Library

Peer Navigator Corner: Veterinary Medical Library

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Zalk Veterinary Medical Library
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Written by: Mekenzie Moffet

The Zalk Veterinary Medical Library (VML) is more than just a library—it’s a warm, inviting space designed to support students. Located within the College of Veterinary Medicine, the VML provides a cozy yet resource-packed environment perfect for studying, researching, or simply finding a quiet moment to focus. As a bonus, it’s also right next to Buck’s ice cream!

Just like Mizzou’s other libraries, the VML is home to friendly and knowledgeable research librarians who are always happy to help. Whether you need guidance on finding the perfect article, navigating tricky databases, or even just discovering a great book, they’ve got your back. Our head librarian, Jara Anderson, is an expert in multiple subjects, making her a fantastic resource for students. With access to anatomical models, veterinary videos, and digital resources, the VML is a treasure trove of learning materials designed to help you succeed.

Beyond its extensive research support and collection, the VML is also one of the best study spots on campus. Whether you’re looking for a quiet nook to get lost in a book, a comfortable space to grind through last-minute assignments, or a collaborative area to tackle group projects, you’ll find the perfect spot here. And if you ever need a resource the library doesn’t have on hand, interlibrary loan services and partnerships with other institutions ensure you always have access to the latest veterinary research.

No matter if you’re here to hit the books, escape for some peaceful study time, or get expert help from a librarian, the VML is ready to welcome you with open arms! So, come take a look and find out where you study best.

home Ellis Library Peer Navigator Corner: Ellis (The Person, Not the Place)

Peer Navigator Corner: Ellis (The Person, Not the Place)

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library
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Written by: Isabella Bickhaus

Common questions surrounding the library often include: Where’s Ellis? What’s Ellis? When’s Ellis open? But here’s a question that might not be asked as frequently: Who’s Ellis? 

The main library on MU’s campus was named after Elmer Ellis in 1971 by the Board of Curators. From 1955 to 1966, Ellis served as the 13th president of MU. Because of his dedication to the library before and during his term, the library thrived. His dedication plaque can be found outside the Lowry Mall entrance at the bottom of the lampposts. 

Before Ellis assumed the role of President, he served on the campus Library Committee with two other faculty members. In this committee, they were tasked to allocate funds for books and journals between different academic departments and also to hire a new librarian. Perhaps most significantly, this committee also oversaw the plans for the west-wing addition in the library in 1936, which significantly increased storage and study space. At the same time the west wing was added, building the west stacks doubled the number of books the library could hold. Today, the west side of the library houses a variety of things, including Special Collections on the fourth floor, the cast gallery and study space on the second floor, study space on the first floor, and Ellis Auditorium on the ground floor. 

During his term as President, the library was becoming crowded again even after the west wing addition. In 1958, the library was expanded further with an east wing addition, creating more space and adding symmetry to the library’s north facade. Today, the east wing houses the east stacks on floors two through four, administrative offices and government documents on the first floor, and museums on the ground floor. The library grew physically and technologically during his term, surpassing 1 million volumes, transitioning from Dewey to Library of Congress classification, and installing an IBM circulation system. In addition to the physical and technological expansion of the library, Ellis sought and gained approval to create an accredited graduate program for Library and Information Science, and he appointed a committee to find a head of this new school. This program is still in existence today and educates librarians for the state of Missouri and beyond. 

Sources: Ellis Old and New Libguide, The History of the University of Missouri-Columbia Library by June LaFollette DeWeese, My Road to Emeritus by Elmer Ellis

home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: MU Law Library

Peer Navigator Corner: MU Law Library

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Resources and Services
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Written by: Josiah Abbot

While you may be aware of the many books and resources available through Ellis Library, if you are looking to do any legal research, turn no further than our Law Library. For example, if you are a social work student looking at policy or a political science major researching law. Reference services are available from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays, but the library is open to all students from 7:30 am to 5 pm on weekdays, with shorter hours on the weekend. Due to space constraints, non-law students cannot use the library for general study. However, you can access resources through the Reference Alcove after checking in at their front desk. This space offers access to Westlaw software, a powerful legal database. Within this database, you can find numerous documents ranging from case law to statutes to secondary law sources. You can email yourself several of these sources a day and the limit resets each day. Within the Alcove you will also find a “Reference Student,” similar to the Ellis Peer Navigators. If you are unsure of what you are looking for or where best to find it, they can help point you in the right direction. 

If you would rather research from home, you can still access some of the Law Library’s online databases. When you navigate to their webpage, click on the “Law Library” drop-down menu and then select student resources.

Under the “Legal Research” subsection you can find a link to their database list – any databases with an MU logo are open to any MU students, while the rest you would need to be in the Law Library to access.

One great resource they recommend is HeinOnline, a comprehensive source of treaties and international agreements that the United States is part of. It also has law and law-related periodicals. One reason students often choose HeinOnline is that its sources have a PDF structure, making it easy to transfer documents and cite your information.

Another useful resource available to all students is their databases on intellectual property. The “Intellectual Property Law Collection” will allow you to access cases relating to patent law. For more on patent issuances and treatises (these can be anything from the design of your Starbucks cup to NASA spaceships and Phantom of the Opera’s stage!), you can access a different database through VitalLaw (titled “Intellectual Property” within their database list). VitalLaw allows you to find Patent and Trademark Office documents for things like Pfizer rulings from the PTO.

If online databases are not your style and you prefer physical copies of resources, you can always take a look at print materials. Similarly to how you would search for books from Ellis, their books, periodicals, and journals can be found through the Libraries Discover layer. Once you’ve started a search, on the side panel under location, you can filter down to only resources from the Law Library. Journals can be reviewed onsite, and when you checkout books you can choose from any pickup location as you would normally be able to. 

Altogether, the Law Library is a great resource for students. If you are in a class and need to research a project that is closely related to law, accessing their resources could greatly benefit you. Even if you don’t have a project, they have a variety of specific resources that are interesting to check out.

home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Email Etiquette

Peer Navigator Corner: Email Etiquette

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Resources and Services
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Written by: Annalise Miller

At some point during your academic and professional journey, you will likely find yourself emailing a professor, university staff member, or other dignitary person. You might be writing to ask for a letter of recommendation, to apply for a job, or to communicate about an assignment. When that time comes, it is crucial to have solid email etiquette under your belt. Think of it as the art of writing polite, clear, and effective emails. The “rules” of email etiquette may vary depending on the recipient, but having a strong foundation in email etiquette will set you up for success in any situation.

As a college student, communication with professors through email is something that will undoubtedly happen during your years at Mizzou. Make sure that all MU-related emails are coming from your University assigned email address. Before constructing your email, write a clear and concise subject line. This helps clarify what your message is about and will help busy professors prioritize your email. “POL-SC 4641 Discussion Post Grade,” “Absence Notification for ENG 1000 on 2/02/2025,” or “Feedback Request for BUS 2000” are all examples of good subject lines. Subject lines should avoid all caps, emojis, or ambiguity.

Similar to writing a letter, emails should begin with a greeting. Try to avoid informal greetings like “What’s up, Kim,” or “Heyyyyy.” You are emailing a professional, not someone you just met online. “Ms. Kimberly Moeller” or “Dear Dr. Jones” are generally safe options, especially if you are unsure how the person prefers to be addressed. While some professors are fine with being called by their first names, others prefer to be referred to as “Dr.” or “Professor.”

Now, what about the body of your email? Make sure the recipient knows who you are and why you are contacting them in short, direct paragraphs. Do not make your email unnecessarily long or full of extraneous detail. That said, an important part of conciseness is making sure that you do not leave out any relevant information. Say everything that you need to say without being excessively wordy. In terms of follow-ups, try to wait at least 24 hours. This gives the recipient time to respond to your email.

Finally, use a professional sign off to conclude your email. For example: “Best, Annalise Miller” or “Sincerely, Shane Stearman”. You can get creative with this step, as long as you keep it polite and direct. Be sure to thank your recipient before signing off of your email, as well.

Before hitting “send,” do a quick proofread of your email. In emails, use grammar and punctuation as you would in any other piece of professional writing. Make sure that you do not overuse exclamation points (no matter how excited you are to be here at Mizzou) and end your sentences with periods. Do not type anything that you would not want to read out loud, either. Regardless of how mad you may be at a professor for not yet posting your grade, save the rage for ranting to your roommate. By following proper email etiquette, you can ensure effective communication while demonstrating professionalism and respect.

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Example Email:
Subject: POLSC 2000 Grade Inquiry

Dear Professor Smith,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Annalise Miller, and I am a student in your POLSC 2000 class (Section 2, Fall 2025). I am reaching out to inquire about when the final grades for the course will be posted. I understand that grading can take some time, and I just wanted to check if there is an estimated date for when we might be able to view our grades.

Thank you for your time and for all your hard work throughout the semester. I appreciate any information you can provide.
Best regards,
Annalise Miller

home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Student Success Center

Peer Navigator Corner: Student Success Center

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Resources and Services
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Written by: Alyssa Westhoff

The Student Success Center provides a variety of services designed to support students’ educational and professional development, and is located in Lowry Mall directly across from the North entrance of Ellis Library. It . The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Student Success Center is home to specialized services, including the Career Center, Center for Academic Excellence and Success, Community Engaged Learning, Discovery Center, Learning Center, and Transfer Center. Each serves a unique purpose designed specifically to help you succeed. The Career Center helps with resume building, cover letter writing, interview preparation, and professional headshots. The Center for Academic Excellence and Success offers career development, academic enrichment, and financial literacy support. The Community Engaged Learning Center provides opportunities for students to earn credit while engaging in hands-on learning that benefits others. The Discovery Center assists undecided students in exploring their interests and finding the right major. The Learning Center offers academic coaching, peer tutoring through Tiger Tutors, and 24/7 online tutoring in any subject. The Transfer Center is a peer-mentoring network that connects transfer students and helps them navigate campus life. 

All of these services are completely free and are available to all Mizzou students – including you! To schedule appointments or learn more, visit: https://success.missouri.edu/student-success-resources/. I have personally used the Career Center for resume help as well as Tiger Tutoring during my time at Mizzou and can attest to their value. Many students don’t realize the full range of services available, so be sure to take advantage of everything the Student Success Center has to offer!

home Databases & Electronic Resources Peer Navigator Corner: North American Women’s Letters & Diaries

Peer Navigator Corner: North American Women’s Letters & Diaries

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Databases & Electronic Resources
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Written by: Annalise Miller

March is nationally recognized as Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the incredible contributions of women throughout history and today. One of the most meaningful ways to do so is by reflecting on the voices of those who paved the way before us. What better way to pay tribute than by exploring a remarkable primary source that sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and daily lives of real women? North American Women’s Letters and Diaries is a collection of authentic letters and diaries, spanning from colonial times to the mid-20th century, offering a powerful glimpse into the lived experiences of real women throughout history.

North American Women’s Letters and Diaries is the most extensive collection of women’s diaries and letters digitally compiled to date (Alexander Street Press, 2004). This primary source contains over 150,000 pages of personal recorded experiences, from journals containing details of their life to letters written and sent to their friends and family.

The subscription is paid for by the University Libraries, so all students can access it for free through the library’s website. One way to access is through the database link on the University of Missouri Libraries website, and then searching by the title. To find more resources like it, you can click “Research By Subject” on the homepage, and then the “Social and Behavioral Sciences” tab. Selecting “Women’s and Gender Studies” will take you to a new page with a tab that has multiple primary sources pertaining to this area of study, one being the Diaries and Letters of North American Women. You can also easily access the source by utilizing the website’s search box in its top right corner.

Once in the database you can filter results by year or historical events, such as the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Salem Witch Trials, and so many more. It gives a lens to both big and small moments – women writing to their friends during the Revolutionary War or sending letters to their mothers about life after moving away. You can even search by personal events that particular women were writing about, such as work, school, or relationships. A popular journal on the database (and personal favorite) is titled, “The Boyfriend Book” written in 1932 by a girl named Julia Heller. She talks about different boys that she likes, knows, or goes out with. She notes things like their appearance, how she met them, and if they have a bicycle. Another interesting diary is that of an anonymous woman who was traveling to Las Vegas around 1959. In the diary, she includes photos of her trip, tickets to shows that she went to, and other miscellaneous items, like the business card of a hairdresser that she saw during her vacation.

The advanced search option allows you to dig even deeper with over twenty advanced filters including age, number of children, marital status, or state and town written in. This is an amazing unconventional tool that we can use to relate to women throughout history – ones who are in the same boat as we may be. In a diary titled, “A Girl of the Eighties at College”, Charlotte Howard Conant writes to her mother and father, expressing how much she misses them since she is away at school.

By engaging with these letters and diaries, readers gain an intimate look at the everyday challenges and triumphs women faced throughout history. Whether discussing major historical moments or personal struggles, these writings preserve the authentic voices of women from different backgrounds and time periods. North American Women’s Letters and Diaries Serves as a testament to their resilience, making it a valuable tool for celebrating Women’s History Month and beyond.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Sensory & Seating Maps

Peer Navigator Corner: Sensory & Seating Maps

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Sophie Lanzone

Some of you may already be aware of the different seating or spaces within the library, but if you aren’t familiar there are different maps on the library’s website that display what is on each floor, including where quiet spaces, study rooms, seating, and bathrooms are. For example, if you are someone who prefers to work in quiet or uncrowded spaces, the sensory map is the perfect resource to help you find the right places to study.

To find these maps, go to the library’s home page and click “Maps and Floorplans” on the very top. This will list the different libraries, with links to show you different maps for each library. Under the Ellis Library link you’ll find an option for “Ellis Library Sensory Maps.” This gives you the option of looking at quiet spaces, uncrowded spaces, and natural light. The first tab for quiet spaces shows a layout of each floor with highlighted areas that are designated quiet spaces or that tend to be quiet. The tabs across the top of the guide let you click on uncrowded spaces or natural light, and highlight different areas in the library based on these qualities.

Another map that I think is useful to people who prefer specific study accommodations is the seating map, which can be found the same way as the sensory map. Each floor it is color coordinated and highlights several types of seating and where they are located, including soft seating, high/stand-up seating, and regular seating.

If you have any other questions regarding these maps, including how to find them, stop by the Peer Navigator desk and ask for help!

home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: BYOBook Club

Peer Navigator Corner: BYOBook Club

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Resources and Services
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Written by: Isabella Bickhaus

With so many assignments throughout the semester, I find that traditional book clubs—or any activity with a specific expectation—can be overwhelming. Even if the chosen book is one I truly enjoy, the book club date looms over my head like a Canvas deadline. That’s why I enjoy the format of Mizzou Libraries’ Bring Your Own Book Book Club (BYOBook Club), which centers around a monthly prompt instead of a specific book. This allows readers to come and share details about their own chosen book while adding the recommendations from others to their TBR (to be read) list. 

Some prompts for the Spring 2025 semester include a book with a red or pink cover, a book from any of Book Riot’s Read Harder categories, and a book that contains one of your least favorite things (character, trope, etc.). If you do not want to follow the prompt, you don’t have to. Feel free to bring any book you are willing to share with the group, or take inspiration from a past prompt. If you do want to follow the prompt and are looking for a place to start, look no further than the BYOBook Club Library Guide. This guide includes recommendations for books in general, for upcoming prompts, and for past prompts. The books listed under the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 tab are the books shared at past meetings. Beyond book recommendations, the guide also includes different ways to borrow books, details about local bookstores here in Columbia, and banned book lists.

The BYOBook Club meets in 114A Ellis, a room close to the Lowry Mall entrance of Ellis Library with comfortable booth seating. In addition to snacks, conversation starters about the book(s) you bring can help you guide your discussion about your book. Whether you are an avid reader or interested in getting started, this book club has a spot for everyone.  

Here are the Spring 2025 dates for the BYOBook Club:

  • Wednesday, February 19, from 4-5 in 114A in Ellis (register here)
    • Book with a red or pink cover
  • Wednesday, March 12, time TBA, in 114A in Ellis
    • Pick a book from any of Book Riot’s Read Harder categories
  • Wednesday, April 16, time TBA, in 114A in Ellis
    • “My least favorite ____” (character, book, plot, trope, etc.)
home Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: AI Resources for Students

Peer Navigator Corner: AI Resources for Students

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Resources and Services
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Written by: Josiah Abbott

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’re aware of the rapid advancements being made in the AI industry. With the broad usability of AI, there are many resources available to students as we strive for academic excellence at Mizzou. A variety of tools, suggestions on prompting, and details on ethical considerations can be found through the Libraries’ AI guide, but I’ve highlighted a few below.

The resources I am covering in this article are beneficial for efficiency when studying, note-taking, or looking for information. I want to add a warning to not use AI for graded assignments unless a professor has explicitly given permission. If you are unclear on whether AI is prohibited or not, first check the syllabus. Professors are supposed to include guidelines on AI usage in it, but if this is not the case, you can also email them. Because of concerns with academic integrity regarding AI, do not use it if it could put your education at risk. 

To begin, I’m sure many of you have seen or even gotten a text from Roary, Mizzou’s AI helpbot. Roary is primarily intended to be used when searching for a process, location, or department to contact. For example, if you need a recommendation on where to study, Roary will give you a list of locations. If you need contact information for the financial aid office, Roary will reply with it almost immediately. Beyond that, Roary can’t do much more. I wouldn’t ask coursework questions as the AI was not trained on that. However, when you have questions regarding life at Mizzou, instead of clicking around the website for 5 minutes, just ask Roary.

Another helpful tool is Notion AI, a note-taking and scheduling tool one of my fellow peer navigators found. What is so unique about Notion AI is that it can search through all input information (notes, schedule, etc.) and answer questions based on that information. Say you remember talking about feudalism in class but are struggling to remember which of your notes it was in. Just ask Notion AI, and it will give you the correct section and title of what you need. Even better than that, instead of rereading the notes, you could just ask the AI to summarize the topics for a quick refresher. Integrating Notion AI isn’t difficult either. It allows you to sync your Google calendar to quickly load in all of your schedule, as well as upload your notes from a variety of formats, including directly from Google Docs.

If you are looking for help starting a research project, Consensus is a useful option that utilizes the Semantic Scholar database of open access research. A powerful research tool, Consensus allows you to enter a question and will search for and pull 20 relevant papers. After pulling the articles, it gives a brief outline of arguments on both sides of the question with a conclusion to sum it up. For each source, it breaks down how many times it is cited, the type of study it is, and has preloaded citations. With a wide range of filters, you can also narrow down the articles it pulls. Even better, Consensus is constantly being updated with new tools, including a consensus meter that gives a breakdown of articles’ stances on the question. Overall, Consensus is my pick for an AI tool to use in order to jumpstart your research.

Finally, a recent breakthrough, DeepSeek AI, blew up the generative AI market recently (January, 2025). It is an open-source AI competitor in a market dominated by closed-source tools. Combining its relatively cheap production costs and similar computing efficiency, it may be the best GenAI on the market. Currently it matches OpenAI’s ChatGPT Pro plan ($200 a month) for a whopping $0. However, this is not a tool I would recommend using straight from the source on their site or phone app. Created and marketed from a Chinese company, this tool comes with concerns about data harvesting and security flaws in the program. However, the open-source nature allows businesses to run it locally where they can tweak parameters for better responses and implement security for individual iterations. Although not a tool an average person should use, I would encourage you to keep an eye on news surrounding it.