Please check out the latest version of the Library Connections newsletter, which features articles on Ann Riley, Edward McCain, June DeWeese, Marie Concannon, Goodie Bhullar, the University Archives and more.
You can find all of the online issues of Library Connections here.
Stotler Lounge, Memorial Union
3-4 pm, September 16, 2014
Reception of light refreshments immediately following
This event is sponsored by the MU Libraries on the occasion of the 175th Anniversary Commemorative Week.
The word “liberal” has a nomenclature problem – it carries baggage for some people because of its political connotations. What does a “liberal education” really mean? The origin of the word is the Latin word “liber” (free), and the history of the concept goes back at least as far as ancient Greece. A common misunderstanding is that the concept describes specific subject matter (such as “Great Books”); but a liberal education is less about specific subject matter content than about the goals and emphases of the education. For example, a liberal education carries public benefit, not simply private benefit.
There are many threats and challenges to liberal education today, including financial pressures and vocationalism. In this conversation, two highly regarded MU educators lay out compelling reasons suggesting that a liberal education is even more important today than in the past and promote the idea that its continued vitality and central role in American higher education should be ensured.
Live streaming of the Chancellor's inauguration on next Thursday, Sept. 18, can be seen at
Healthy for Life has announced a partnership with University of Missouri Bookstores that will make it easier than ever to purchase Fitbit pedometers. Participating in the Million Step Pedometer Program can earn faculty and their families great prizes–including a rebate for a Fitbit zip or flex device purchased from any of the University of Missouri Bookstores locations. Created in 2008, the Million Step Pedometer Program is an easily measurable way to track daily physical activity. It is a great way to get faculty, staff, and their families up and moving.
Using Fitbit devices, steps are tracked more easily than ever before. Through UM Bookstores, the Fitbit Zip is priced at $45, while the Flex is currently priced at $80.
The Million Step Pedometer Program is a single facet of the 2015 Wellness Incentive. By participating in the Wellness Incentive, faculty and staff can get cash for getting healthy. Eligible faculty and staff are able to earn up to $450 through a two-tier program that begins October 1, 2014, and ends September 30, 2015. You can earn $100 of your Incentive by walking 1 million steps as part of the Million Step Pedometer Program.
More information about the Wellness Incentive Program and physical activities classes can be found at:
For more information about Fitbit go to:
September 19, 2014, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Central
MU Campus, Memorial Union, Jesse Wrench Auditorium
All Sessions are free to MU students, faculty and staff
Light Refreshments Provided
Come for one session or all!
*Local participation sponsored by MU Libraries and the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies
User Experience, or UX, is an important way of evaluating and informing library practices. UX focuses on knowing about our patrons and understanding their perspectives, then using that knowledge to inform everything that libraries do, from our websites to the services we provide, to the physical layout of our buildings. Learn from nationally recognized experts on User Experience in libraries for this one-day, live online conference:
September 19, 2014
9:00 AM
The Future of UX in Libraries: Learning Everywhere
Michael Stephens
(School of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University)
10:00 AM
Improving Your Library with User Experience Design
Aaron Schmidt
(Principal at Influx Library User Experience Consulting
11:00 AM
Practical UX Research Tips for Librarians
Kathryn Whitenton
(User Experience Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group)
12:00 PM
UX Resources for Libraries
SEFLIN Virtual Conference Committee
1:00 PM
Designing Your Spaces, Services
and Organization
Around Your Users
Elliot Felix
(Founder and Director of BrightSpot Strategy)
2:00 PM
Make Your Library Website UX Rock
David Lee King
(Digital Services Director, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library)
Join librarians from around the world, and interact with experts in the field. Hear about solutions and strategies for integrating User Experience principles into your library processes and services.
Notable meetings from the calendar of Jim Cogswell, Director of MU Libraries
Monday & Tuesday, September 8 – 9th
Jim Cogswell will attend a meeting of the Greater Western Library Alliance, Corvallis, Oregon.
Thursday, September 11th
8:00-10:00 a.m. – Council of Deans, Memorial Union
2:00-4:00 p.m. – Library Management Team, Ellis Library
Departmental Announcements; in lieu of the regular August meeting
Wendy Batson, Branch Announcements:
In honor of the university’s 175th anniversary, we have a new display at Engineering with a timeline of College of Engineering events and information on the COE deans.
We also have a “Lego Lafferre” display showing the many additions to Lafferre Hall, which have given the building its reputation of being difficult to navigate. Stop by to see it, or check out the announcement on our website.
Deb Ward, Health Sciences Library Announcements:
HSL Information Services librarians are busy with fall orientations.
Mandi Davis is no longer with the HSL. Her last day was August 1. Mandi is now working as an insurance agent for Farmer's Insurance.
On August 28, the HSL Space Planning Committee received final drawings for renovation from Cyndi Curnutte. This meeting included Jim Cogswell and Matt Gaunt, because the drawings will be used to prepare for the capital campaign that is scheduled to begin in fall, 2015. It is important for us to stay on schedule in preparing the materials that will be needed, and while it may seem early to have the drawings ready a year in advance, we will need time to develop the necessary communications materials to promote the vision of what we are trying to achieve.
Jack Batterson, Cataloging & Metadata
We are all working hard.
Upcoming Retirements:
Alan Jones’ official retirement date is January 22, 2015
Jerri Eldridge’s last day of work is February 6, 2015
