Library Notes

On Friday, May 26, 2023 the Ozarks Studies Association (OSA) will hold their third annual one-day conference in Duane G. Meyer Library on the main Springfield campus of Missouri State University.  OSA 2023 Program Details   Host: Ozarks Studies Institute, Missouri State University   Sponsors: Ozarks Studies Institute, Missouri State University; Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Missouri State University; English Department, Missouri State University; African American Studies Program, Missouri State University   8:00-8:15 Coffee, snacks, registration   8:15-8:30 Introduction…

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Special Collections and Archives, part of the Missouri State University Libraries, is excited to announce the addition of a new finding guide available online. The James River Basin Partnership Collection documents the organization’s commitment to improve Ozark waterways. Formed in 1997 in response to an algae bloom in the James River arm of Table Rock Lake, the James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) advocates for continued improvements in water quality, conservation, and environmental education in areas affected by the James River….

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On Friday evening, May 12, 2023, a crowd of over 200 assembled in the new John Goodman Amphitheater (JGA) on the main Springfield campus of Missouri State University to enjoy an Ozarks Jamboree, hosted by Jeff Houghton.  This was the first public event in JGA, held on a beautiful spring evening when the newly renovated pedestrian walkway under Grand Street finally opened after a prolonged construction period.  The audience was treated to three fantastic groups during the two-hour concert: David…

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Last week, Elaina Kersey, managing editor of the Ozarks Studies Institute at the Missouri State Libraries, attended the 2023 Library Publishing Coalition Forum. The conference was virtual and was held on Zoom, drawing attendees from all over the United States as well as from countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and China.  In two keynote sessions, speakers Dorthea Salo and Deborah Poff covered ethics in library publishing ranging from censorship to ChatGPT, paper mills, and predatory publishing. The keynotes…

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Joshua Lambert, a member of the Library Science faculty at Missouri State University, recently published an article named Evidence-based library book shifting in the Journal of Access Services. This article describes an evidence-based process to shift books. The process involves measuring books, creating a moving plan, and specifying goals, or waypoints, to keep the shift on track. One of Joshua’s previous articles, Predictable book shifting, described a Python script librarians could run to help plan a book shift. This latest article presents a similar method but using…

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The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $7,000 to Springfield Community Gardens in support of the project, “Our Food: Our Stories”. The MHC is the only state wide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971. Springfield Community Gardens is sponsoring this progroject in partnership with Missouri Humanities and with support from the Missouri Humanities Trust…

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Ashley Morrill recently joined MSU Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives as a non-student, part-time employee. Ashley completed an internship with Anne Baker during the spring 2023 semester and graduated with a Master of Library and Information Sciences from the University of Denver. While Anne is on leave, Ashley will assist with processing archival collections, answering reference questions, and digitizing materials. Welcome to the Missouri State University Libraries, Ashley!