Library Notes

By the end of July, the Ozarks Studies Institute, an initiative of the Missouri State University Libraries, will publish On The River: A History of the Ozarks Float Trip by local authors Tom Koob and Curtis Copeland. The book chronicles the development and transformation of a distinctive regional sport. According to Mark McCarty, manager of printing and postal services at MSU, the book has already been printed and trimmed. It is ready to be perfect bound. “We’ll start binding it…

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After a long history with the Missouri State University Libraries, Dea Borneman will retire at the end of August. Her career began as a student employee in the late 1970’s, when the main library was housed within the current location of Cheek Hall. During her time as a student worker, the library moved to its current site and was renamed the Duane G. Meyer Library. She later joined the Acquisitions and Collection Development Department as a staff member in 1986….

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The Missouri State University Admissions Department visited the Duane G. Meyer Library on Tuesday, July 16 for a presentation and tour of the building to learn more about how the library serves the community of MSU. The visit was organized by Holly Kouns, coordinator of public services, in collaboration with Tracy Stout, head of research and instructional services, Tracie Gieselman-France, archivist, and Derek Moser, director of research management and discovery. The group got to check out the library’s services, resources,…

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Introducing our new 24/7 Chat Reference Service! This service allows anyone to get research help at any time, from any location, by providing continuous support from our own librarians, guided assistance from BotBear, and a cooperative network of librarians. Whether you have general questions, need assistance with getting started on your research, or finding and using resources, you’ll now have around the clock support. Ask us anytime, anywhere, and make the most of your academic journey with our on-demand chat…

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On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Vanessa Lockhart will start as Administrative Assistant II for the Missouri State University Libraries. This is a new position at the MSU Libraries, emerging from the former Executive Assistant position.  Vanessa’s principal work area will be in the Ozarks Room on the Third Level.  Vanessa previously has worked as an Information Specialist in the Financial Aid Office at MSU, as well as at the Ozarks Small Business Incubator in West Plains, and the Titanic Museum…

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The Kentwood Series of talks and presentations about various facets of Ozarks history and life continues this evening (Thursday, July 11th) beginning at 7:00 p.m., when the renowned author, educator, and historian Steve Wiegenstein will speak. His talk will focus on utopian communities in Missouri, past and present. Nineteenth-century Missouri was home to several alternative communities, often termed “utopian communities” for their emphasis on social betterment and a different way of life. But although their neighbors sometimes considered these utopians…

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New Year’s Day                                                       January 1, 1934 Had a good time last night. Aunt Me and I went to the midnight show, ‘Convention City,’ at the Paramount…” This begins the 1934 diary of a Springfield teenager. Agnes Rita Walsh spends the next several months documenting her life – her plans, the people she knew, and…

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Special Collections and Archives inside the Duane G. Meyer Library is exhibiting the memorabilia of Ramona McQueary’s time involved in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. P.E.O. stands for Philanthropic Education Organization. Founded in 1869 at Iowa Wesleyan University by seven female students, P.E.O. exists for the betterment of women, sisterhood, and loyalty through grants, scholarships, awards, and loans that help women to attain their educational goals. McQueary herself was very active at Missouri State University, then known as SMSU. She served on…

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Staff from the Missouri State University Libraries will be at PrideFest this upcoming Saturday representing the Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives (OLGA). This collection works to document the LGBTQ+ community in our region. Among the holdings are photographs, oral histories, records of organizations, and scrapbooks. Shown here are Tracie Gieselman France and Jeffrey Lawson as they practice putting up the new tent that will keep us out of the sun (and possibly the rain!). This tent and other outreach materials…

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