Library Notes

C-SPAN crews were in Springfield this week, filming various segments about the history and riches of this region. We’re a stop in the C-SPAN Cities Tour, which this year has profiled 24 mid-sized cities across America. Their visit began with a reception at the Gillioz Theater on Monday evening. On Tuesday Bill Piston, emeritus professor of History at MSU, was interviewed about the Civil War in the Ozarks, including the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, and Tom Peters, Dean of Library…

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Biography Reference Bank is an essential full-text database for biographical research in any discipline, such as women’s studies, cultural studies, media studies, and more!  This biographical database offers in-depth profiles from Current Biography and World Authors, the periodical coverage of Biography Index and the specialist content of Junior Authors & Illustrators.  This database provides coverage of more than 750,000 individuals, over 90,000 of whom have an associated full-text biography, more than 3.5 million records, links to more than 650,000 related full-text articles, over 36,000 photo images, and substantive narrative profiles averaging…

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The two presentations held recently at the Library Center of the Springfield-Greene County Library District saw 26 individuals attend, eager to learn more in the battle against false press and fake news.  KOLR 10 aired a brief segment on the aims of the workshops.  Tracy Stout and Jessica Bennett guided attendees through an interactive class experience, focused on recognizing quick ques, the authority of a source, and what to do when identifying fake news.  All present learned something new, and indicated the sessions were enjoyed and…

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The Missouri State University Historical Films (part of the University Audiovisual Collection (RG 32)) in Meyer Library’s Special Collections and Archives include footage of events at the university, such as homecoming and basketball games from the 1940s-1980s, plus one film with scenes from a football gamedating back to 1923.  Other films in the collection are promotional films, such as the 1953 film “Careers in Science,” featuring university classes and activities, the Weather Bureau at the Springfield-Greene County Airport, the Frisco Laboratory, nursing training at…

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Howard Wight Marshall, the author of the new book, Fiddler’s Dream: Old-Time, Swing, and Bluegrass Fiddling in Twentieth-Century Missouri, will present on Friday evening, November 10, 2017, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Room 101 of Duane G. Meyer Library. The program will include a live performance with question and answer, followed by a book signing and refreshments. Marshall will be joined by musicians Gordon McCann, Luke Cormier and Heinrich Leonhard. This presentation is free and open to the public. In this sequel to his…

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The Corbett Law Firm, in collaboration with the Ozarks Studies Institute (OSI), part of the Missouri State University Libraries and publisher of OzarksWatch Magazine, will host an art exhibition on Friday, November 3 showcasing the work of local photographer Jacek Fraczak. The exhibit, titled “I Love Where I Live,” can be viewed at the Corbett Law Firm (2015 E. Phelps St.) from 6 – 8 pm on Friday, November 3. The talk and exhibition are free and open to the…

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The American Indian Experience (AIE), part of the American Mosaic series, is an invaluable digital resource that provides in-depth historical accounts and cultural information about the indigenous peoples of North America. It is an online collection featuring reference content, hundreds of primary documents, and thousands of images. The American Indian Experience illuminates the historical and contemporary practices and tribulations of more than 150 Native American tribes from all regions of North America. Featuring articles and essays from Native American authors and…

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Ken Kneven, Senior Consultant with AGB, the Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities, was on the Springfield campus of Missouri State University this week to conduct a workshop about workforce development for the region and the state, and opportunities for MSU to advance workforce development. Jessica Bennett, Rachel Besara, and Tom Peters attended from the MSU Libraries. Soft skills in the workforce, cultural consciousness, how to leverage MSU’s public affairs mission, interdisciplinary innovation spaces, and other topics were…

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The Greene County Historical Society will hold their Fall 2017 program on Sunday, October 29, 2017, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Missouri State University’s Meyer Library. State Historical Society of Missouri President Bob Priddy will provide a sneak preview of the Society’s $40 million headquarters (scheduled to open in 2019).  Located in Columbia, this new facility will be a gathering place for researchers, allow for increased gallery space to showcase Missouri art and artists, and have room for public programming….

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The recent opening for “Native Art of the Americas” was a great success with approximately 65 people attending.  The exhibit is a collaborative effort between Dr. Billie Follensbee, her students, and Special Collections and Archives.  Each year Dr. Follensbee’s advanced art history classes have an opportunity to study art and artifacts on loan from local cultural institutions and private collectors, then in the fall of the next academic year the best of the students’ work is included in an exhibit…

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