Library Notes

For many years, The History Museum on the Square and MSU’s Special Collections have partnered on special projects. From supporting exhibits to working with researchers, the strengths of both institutions often come together to preserve and make available Springfield’s rich history. The Museum’s current exhibit, Creating Communities: Jews of Springfield, features Museum holdings, items on loan from community members, and photographs, documents, and other material in the Ozarks Jewish Archives (OJA), a part of the MSU Libraries. The exhibit closes…

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We at Meyer Library hope everyone is having a good intercession. As a reminder, on Monday, May 19,  EBSCO Discovery Services will rollout a modern search interface and MSU Library is one of many institutions implementing this update. The new search interface features a refreshed appearance as well as AI tools to optimize the process of selecting, accessing, and using library materials. The library’s implementation team has created a LibGuide for users to explore the new search functions. There is…

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Retired Springfield biologist Loring Bullard takes on the many environmental threats and missteps he has witnessed in Missouri, and offers a path to protecting the land and waters in his new book, An Environmental Journey: Tales of Tragedy and Hope from the Heartland, published in April by the Ozarks Studies Institute. It follows the success of Living Waters: Springs of Missouri and Saving Bull Creek. The 73-year-old author writes how the impacts of nuclear testing in the 50s, Missouri’s production of Agent Orange and Dioxin,…

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You may have noticed that the Duane G. Meyer Library is adding vinyl informational stickers to the ends of the shelves. These stickers help to make finding materials easier for library patrons. This project was done by Jacob McDaniel, a non-student part-time worker, under the supervision of Holly Kouns, coordinator of public services. “Jake went through every single range that we have and compared the call numbers to library of congress subject headings,” said Kouns. “He listed every subject heading…

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This week, we are highlighting Ryan Knutson, a junior computer science major at Missouri State University who has been working at the Innovation Lab since January. Ryan has been interested in computers and technology since he was 6 years old, when his father brought home computer games that he would watch his dad play. Now, he is working towards being a computer programmer and making software. Working at the innovation lab was something that fit well with his goals. “It’s…

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EBSCO Discovery Services is leading the rollout of a modern search interface and MSU Library is one of many institutions implementing this update. The new search interface features a refreshed appearance as well as AI tools to optimize the process of selecting, accessing, and using library materials.  The library’s implementation team has created a LibGuide for users to explore the new search functions. There is also access to FAQs and a space to share any feedback on the new system,…

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On Tuesday, April 10, the Reference Committee for the Springfield-Greene County Library visited MSU’s Duane G. Meyer Library from 9 to 10:30 a.m. During their time on campus, they learned about the adult student services offered by the university. “We like to use our meeting every other month to tour places in our community so we can become more comfortable when referring people there,” said Krystal Smith, manager of the reference department. 

The Innovation Lab in Duane G. Meyer Library is available to assist students with their creative projects. This semester, a representative from one student group spent a few weeks in the Innovation Lab on a project to share with other students. On March 28, local sorority Xi Omicron Iota hosted a co-sisterhood event called We’re Not Really Strangers, and offered free crewnecks to the first 30 people in line. When it came time to deliver these crewnecks, Charley Bennight, VP…

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Celebrate ALA’s Preservation Week from April 27 – May 3, 2025! This year’s theme is Preserve the Past, Shape the Future: Inspiring the Next Generation. Events will focus on celebrating the importance of preserving personal, family, community, library, museum, and archival collections while discussing ways to encourage future generations of conservators and preservation practitioners. Learn how Balboa Art Conservation Center inspires 5th graders to see the world as art conservators on April 29th, discover exciting programs available through the Atlanta…

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We are happy to share that David Richards has been appointed the next dean of Missouri State University Libraries, effective July 14, 2025. Richards formerly served as head of Meyer Library’s Special Collections and Archives from 1997 to 2016. During that time, he launched the library’s annual “Rare Wine, Rare Books” event. For almost a decade since departing MSU, he has served as the dean of library services at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Criss Library. “He brings great…

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