Library Notes

The Missouri State University Libraries, located on the main Springfield campus, is collaborating with Missouri Humanities and other cultural memory organizations on a cluster of “Roots & Routes” Signature Series events in Springfield on Friday and Saturday April 28-29, 2023. These events are free and open to the public.  The Sixth annual symposium will focus on the theme “Roots & Routes of the Ozarks: People & Pathways.” Conversations will center around the movement of people into, out of, and within…

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The Missouri A&OER Conference (Affordable & Open Education Resources) was another success!  The 4th annual conference was organized by the Missouri A&OER Conference Planning Committee, chaired by MSU faculty librarian, Tracy Stout.  The conference was held virtually on March 9th and had 191 registrants, an increase from last year. Highlights from the conference include a keynote by Dr. Robin DeRosa titled, “Pedagogy and the Power of Open” and a workshop for faculty titled, “Make an Impact with OER!” All sessions were…

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The Ozarks Studies Institute, an ongoing initiative of the Missouri State University Libraries, is helping to produce the upcoming 5th Annual Showcase of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest, to be held in the Shrine Mosque, May 18-20 of 2023 (Thursday – Saturday).  Western Swing Music is a type of American country music that was popular in the Thirties and Forties, primarily in the Southwest, from the Ozarks to California. Swing music is an amalgamation of rustic, cowboy,…

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Susanna Reichling, who serves as the library liaison to MSU’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Departments, recently attended the combined Music Library Association/Theatre Library Association National Conference in St. Louis. The conference offered the opportunity to talk with vendors and view new scholarly publications/streaming media services, attend a variety of presentations on all aspects of performing arts librarianship, and share ideas within smaller interest group and regional chapter meetings. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion was voted the #1 area of interest among…

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On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 the Chronicle of Higher Education held a Virtual Forum on the topic “In Defense of Libraries.” The event announcement noted: “Libraries are no longer dusty, dimly lit spaces reserved for quiet research and solitary study. Today college and university libraries are striving to become vibrant centers of student connection and creativity. How can they overcome outdated notions and reassert their relevance in a time of competing expenses and priorities?” The three panelists were: Todd Carpenter,…

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Rachel Besara, Associate Dean of Library Services at Missouri State University, attended the 2023 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last week.  While there she not only attended sessions, did committee work, and made connections, but she also participated in three presentations:   A panel “Less Stress, More Success: Learning to Effectively Manage up” with Michelle Demeter (New York University), Bridgett Birmingham (Florida State University), and Ginger Williams (Fort Hays State University), Two round tables, “Transformative Data…

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Missouri State University’s Giving Day, held over a 36-hour period on March 1st and 2nd, was a resounding success. Nearly 2,200 donors gave over $1.6 million to support all facets of MSU endeavors on all campuses, including Springfield and West Plains.  The MSU Libraries’ facet of Giving Day was very successful, too, with 54 donors contributing $4,470. When the Library Donor Challenge sponsored by Library Dean Emeritus Karen Horny is factored in, nearly $10,000 was raised to support our ongoing…

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Special Collections and Archives, part of the Missouri State University Libraries, recently unveiled a new exhibit in the lobby of Craig Hall at the entrance to Coger Theatre. The exhibit features Theatre and Dance programs and promotional items from the Leslie Irene Coger Collection. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It will be on display through the summer months.  Library Associate Jeffrey Lawson chose items from Dr. Coger’s collection and, with assistance from intern Ashley Morrill (pictured…

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