University of Missouri Collection
Title
University of Missouri Collection
Description
History
In 1953-54 an attempt was made to create as complete a collection as possible of every item published by University students, faculty, and staff. The materials were classified according to a special scheme, placed in the Language Reading Room and named the M Collection. When the Libraries converted its collection to the Library of Congress classification scheme, M Collection classification designations conflicted and thus became confusing. The collection was reclassified to Library of Congress and given a SPEC-M location prefix. SPEC-M was one of the collections comprising the Special Materials Department (now Special Collections) when it was formed in 1960-61.
The collection was dissolved and much, though not all, of its material was transferred to the University Archives starting in 2021. Please see the University Archives website or contact muarchives@missouri.edu to access this material.
Scope
The University of Missouri Collection is comprised of publications emanating from the University of Missouri System and the Columbia campus administrative and academic offices. These publications include printed and/or published books, newsletters, yearbooks, catalogs, directories, pamphlets, manuals, newspapers, and documents. Manuscript materials are not included. Works by faculty members published off campus are accepted as gifts and purchased as funds are available. The Catalog for 1842/43 is one of the earliest publications in the collection.
Access
The collection does not circulate. Materials may be requested for use in the reading room.
Relation
A guide to University publications is Resources for Research on the University of Missouri-Columbia by Margaret A. Howell, Lynn Gentzler and D.J. Wade (Columbia, Missouri, Ellis Library, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1989).
Many titles in the University of Missouri Collection have been digitzed and are available through MOSpace.
