Written by: Jariyatu Abdul Rashid

The Mizzou Libraries are not just a place to borrow books; they’re a hub for research support. Sure, it has quiet study spaces and shelves stacked with books, but behind all of that is a network of resources designed to make your academic life easier. The library has tools to help with doing assignments, preparing for a presentation, or working on projects. Most of us take some courses that involve lots of writing, at least once, before graduation. And let’s be honest, writing usually comes with research. Even if you’re not in an English class, plenty of courses require some form of research, whether it’s a lab report, a case study, or a group project. Fortunately, the library has exactly what we need; research resources, knowledgeable librarians, and materials that go far beyond what you can find on your own. 

Databases: Here’s the thing, Google is fine for quick answers, but when you need credible, peer-reviewed sources, the libraries have your back. Through the Find a Database page, you can access collections that cover every subject imaginable.

Some of the most popular ones include JSTOR, great for humanities and social sciences, PubMed, perfect for health sciences and biology, PsycINFO, a must for psychology majors, and Business Source Complete for business, marketing, and economics.

Normally, these databases and articles are locked behind expensive paywalls, but as a Mizzou student, you get them for free. That’s a huge deal when you’re trying to impress your professor with solid sources. For example, instead of citing a random blog post, you can pull a peer-reviewed article from JSTOR or PubMed that gives your paper credibility. Also, in many classes, using peer-reviewed resources is required for research.

Research Guides: If you’ve ever felt lost about where to even start, the libraries also have Research Guides created by subject librarians. Think of them as roadmaps for your major. Instead of digging through endless options for resources, the guides point you straight to the best ones for your field. For example: Political Science majors can find guides for government and policy research. Biology students can access resources for lab studies and medical research, and Business students can dive into market data, company reports, and industry trends. It’s like having a librarian whispering, “Here’s where to look first.” These guides can save hours of wasted time and frustration. Personally, I wish I had known about them earlier. My first research paper would have been a lot less stressful if I had followed a guide instead of clicking through random websites.

Here’s another thing I wish I knew earlier: you can schedule a research consultation with a librarian. Yep, a real person will sit down with you (in person or online) and help you brainstorm keywords, find sources, and even figure out if your sources are reliable.

It’s basically like having a research coach, and it can save you hours of frustration. Imagine spending three hours searching for articles on your own, only to come up empty-handed. A librarian can often point you to the right database or search term in minutes. They’ve seen it all before, and they know the shortcuts.

Citations: Citations are the part of research papers that nobody enjoys. Formatting in MLA, APA, or Chicago style can feel like learning a new language. Luckily, the libraries offer workshops on tools like Zotero which organize your sources and automatically generate citations. Imagine finishing your paper and having your bibliography done in seconds- it’s a total game-changer. The organization also means if you’re working on a big project or even a thesis, you won’t lose track of where your information came from.

Here’s the truth: The libraries aren’t  just a place to cram before finals or to grab coffee at Bookmark Café. They’re a resource that can make your life as a student so much easier. Instead of panicking over where to find credible sources, you can use the libraries’ tools and people to get ahead. The next time you’re staring at a blank Word document, don’t just rely on Google. Check out Ellis Library’s Research Help page, explore a subject guide, or book a consultation. Not only will your research be stronger, but you’ll also save yourself a lot of stress.

Written by: Ahmad Bahir Sherzad

As an architecture student learning about the importance of how principles of architecture affect people’s mood in a space, I wanted to touch on it as a new peer navigator who has walked Ellis Library more times than I can count. In understanding architectural principles and elements, we can have a better understanding of the purpose of different sections of Ellis Library before visiting. In this post, I’ll share a closer look at two of Ellis Library’s most popular study spots – the ground-floor atrium study space and the General Reading Room (201) on the second floor – and how their unique architecture might shape your study experience.

The ground-floor study area near the atrium stairs was added after the original 1915 construction and is now open 24/5. The space consists of a coffee shop-style seating around a small student-run cafe under a structure of stairs that lead to the first floor. When it comes to stratification by the architects of Ellis, the floor consists of many different styled seating options on simple marbled square tiling. It is also crowded with various maps and pieces for spectator viewing on display in booths built into the wall. The head of the space features low-hanging lights and a variety of ceiling heights. Near the doors, the ceilings are raised all the way until the top of the first floor, while under the stairs, of course, they are much lower. The atrium goes from a naturally lit entrance to a cozy, somber, and dark area under the stairs and around the small cafe. All these characteristics create a sense of movement, productivity, and openness to the space.

Diving into the movement, transition, hierarchy, and heart of the ground-floor study space, one can see there is a heavy amount of transitional energy. The main entry is from two sets of large glass doors that lead from the Speakers Circle into Ellis Library. Almost mall-like, the doors are purposely designed to coordinate safety and transition of a vast number of students exiting and entering the library, with one being designated exclusively as an entrance and the other as an exit. Most people enter from glass doors near a large information desk facing into the space all the way towards the back of the study area, where the cafe can be found tucked into the corner. Movement is random in the cafe area, but follows a strict order closer to the desk and openings. The hierarchy of the space is mostly overpowered by the large stairs that lead to the second floor and encompass most of the body of the space. The small coffee tables and booths are given secondary focus, while two large bar-style tables serve as the primary focus when it comes to seating. The space is hectic and loud compared to every other space in Ellis; at no time will you ever hear a pen drop. The cafe in the corner does not pull much of the attention of the space, but rather the heart of the space is the wood and glass-adorned stairs that can be seen from every angle of the atrium. The height of the ceilings upon entrance and the vastness of the stars instantly draw students’ attention and guide them through the space.

The Main Reading Room, originally called the General Reading Room, in Ellis Library at Mizzou was created in 1915 when the library was constructed. The Main Reading Room of Ellis Library is a massive, long, rectangular space defined by two parallel walls. It is organized around a central axis split long ways down the rectangle with rows of brown library tables perpendicular to the walls. When it comes to the stratification of the long linear space, the floor of the Main Reading Room has brown rectangular tables in four long columns filling the vast space, and is surrounded by book-lined walls. The table and chairs are worn by university students over time. As for the body of the room, tall arched windows on the north wall fill the space with natural light, and subtle brown metal molding disguised as wood and white paint cover the vast size of the walls. This stratum creates a feeling of awe and openness in the space. The head of the Main Reading Room features a large, curved ceiling with raised wave motifs and hanging rectangular lights. The curved ceiling immediately creates a sense of awe in any user and adds vastly to the space, honoring its name as the “main” reading room of Ellis Library. The raised ceiling creates a sense of contrast to other spaces in the library. All these create a sense of order, calm, and academic focus.

When it comes to the qualitative aspect of the Grand Reading Room in Ellis Library, the natural light from multiple vast arched windows creates both mood and visibility for students in the space. They allow warm natural light to fill every part of the room, creating a sense of awe and beauty. The light white walls and wood details suggest tradition and purpose. It is a semi-enclosed space within the larger library structure, with three entrances that bring you into a space that is eerily silent compared to the rest of the library, which is quite ironic. The main focus is on the grand windows on one side that define the spatial “heart” of the space. In terms of movement, transition, hierarchy, and heart of the Main Reading Room, the main entry is from the south side between two white columns with a capital on top of both. There is minimal movement in the space due to the silent atmosphere in the room. The movement, or so-called transition, follows the axis, down rows of tables, looking for open seats. The movement at times is also random and hectic across different axes as people look for spaces to inhabit and study, not too close to anyone else. When it comes to the hierarchy of the reading room, the large study tables are the primary focus, and a couple of lounge chairs at the west end are secondary. The heart of the room and even Ellis Library itself are the large windows that draw the eye instantly, define the user’s mood, and set the tone.

Whether you are looking for a more traditional and silent study area or an energizing space, Ellis Library offers both in its intentional designs. To learn more about the history and architecture of Ellis Library, I would highly encourage you to visit the following website, full of archives of Ellis construction photos and of many other study spaces on campus.

https://muarchives.missouri.edu/historic/buildings/ellis/

Written by: Mekenzie Moffet

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or regular, Ellis Library is one of the best places on campus to study, research, or just relax between classes. To help everyone have a great experience, here are some quick Do’s & Don’ts to keep in mind:

DO:

• Find Your Study Spot – explore all of Ellis and figure out where you thrive best, whether that be in one of our quiet spaces or maybe downstairs at the cafe with bustling people around you.
  • Quiet Zones:
    • Room 114
    • Room 202
    • Grand Reading Room (201)
• Use Group Study Rooms – Reserve one of our many study rooms for you and your classmates if you need to collaborate.
  • Reserve a study spot here
• Take Advantage of Resources – Don’t forget about the Digital Media Lab, the writing tutors in Room 115, and all the databases you have access to by being a student. Another important tip is to use the librarian chat on our website if you have any research questions for a quick response.
• Respect Shared Spaces – Keep your voices low in quiet zones and share tables during fairly busy times.

DON’T:

• Don’t Bring Full Meals – Drinks with lids and small snacks are fine, but full meals should be eaten by the Bookmark Cafe to keep our space clean.
• Don’t Leave Belongings Unattended for Long – Not only can items get lost, but unattended belongings could get taken and take space from your peers.
• Don’t Distract Others – Avoid loud conversations, phone calls, or playing video games without headphones.
  • Pro Tip: You can check out headphones from the circulation desk!
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask The Peer Navigators for Anything – We are here for you and to answer any questions you may have while you’re at the library.

PRO TIPS:

• If you lose a belonging or come across an item that was left behind, go and see the West Security Desk and they will take care of you!
• Bookmark Cafe has great coffee and a way shorter line than Starbucks in Memorial, and they also have microwaves to warm up your lunch.
• Follow the library on social media for updates on events, workshops, and funny videos.

Written by: Libby Gremaud

Ellis Library has so much more to check out than just books. There are tons of different electronics, and a surprising assortment of other materials that can be borrowed from our Checkout and Information Desk. While some of these items you can only use in the library, lots of them can be taken out of the building so you can use them wherever you like.

If you ever need to use a laptop, you can check out either a Dell or a Mac computer. Both can only be used in the library, but they can be borrowed for up to four hours. You can also check out an iPad 9th generation, which can be taken out of the library for up to 3 days. The iPad comes with a charger, an adapter, and a case. Projectors and flash drives are also available, and they can both be checked out for up to 24 hours. 

If your phone or laptop ever dies while you’re on campus, no worries! You can borrow several different kinds of chargers for up to four hours. Supplies such as whiteboard markers, staplers, three-hole punches, headphones, or rulers can also be borrowed from the desk.

One of the best things about Mizzou is that we have so many libraries that all offer something special. If what you need isn’t available at Ellis, it might be at one of our other libraries. The Journalism Library offers CD and DVD players, along with lots of other special cameras and media equipment. If you’re looking for coloring supplies, head to the engineering library, where you can also check out one of the several board games they offer. All of our libraries on campus also allow you to check out umbrellas, which can be handy if you forget yours!

The next time you need something, take a look at our Equipment Lending Guide to see if it is available to be borrowed. These are just some examples of the various things our libraries offer, so make sure to check it out!