Library Notes

From now through December 11, 2020, the Missouri State University Libraries is hosting a traveling exhibit about the history of Black-owned businesses in Missouri. The exhibit was designed and created by the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City. “BOOM! The Rise & Fall of Black Business Districts” tells the story of five Black business districts throughout the state. Due to segregation and racism these business centers flourished, serving as the cornerstone of Black life, culture, and survival from the late…

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On 9/17 and 9/18, Missouri State University virtually hosted the 1st annual Missouri Association of Testing conference.   Sessions included: College Board: Accuplacer and CLEP  Transitioning Your Center Post-COVID and Budget Crunch ETS, DESE, and HISET SB 807: Missouri’s Civics Exam Ouriginal Anti-plagiarism Software RegisterBlast NCTA Certification In addition, the annual board meeting took place at the end of the conference.    While attendance averaged about 20 people per session, we consider this a success considering it was virtual and…

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Yesterday, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, sixteen lockers were installed in the main lobby of Duane G. Meyer Library in the heart of the Springfield campus of Missouri State University. Because the library lobby is available 24/7 to BearPass holders, the lockers also are available 24/7. These lockers are intended for short-term use to either pick up or drop off many types of loaned library materials, from books to laptops. This is one small improvement that aligns with a facet of…

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Beginning on July 1, 2020, the organizational home of the eJournal of Public Affairs, now in its ninth year of publication, has moved to the MSU Libraries cost center, after having been for eight years in the Office of the Provost.  The eJournal of Public Affairs is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary, open-access journal published by Missouri State University and affiliated with the American Democracy Project. By providing an academic, nationally refereed venue for such work, the eJournal aims to advance the…

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The Missouri State University Libraries, which manages and operates the MSU Testing Center, located on the Lower Level of Duane G. Meyer Library, is pleased to announce that Amy Hankins and Chris Edwards are the successful applicants for the two new positions created in the Testing Center. They will begin their new jobs early next week.  These are both Administrative Specialist II positions. Specific duties include: 1. Schedules exams.2. Schedules and assigns proctors.3. Checks in examinees for assessments, verifying identities,…

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On September 3, 2020 the REALM Project released a statement indicating “that the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is still detectable after six days on four common library materials when they are stacked, which is a significantly longer attenuation period than had been detected on similar materials when they were not stacked.”  “The findings are part of the REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project designed to generate scientific information to support the handling of core library, museum, and archival materials…

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For several years now, the Missouri State University Libraries has managed and operated the MSU Testing Center. Sue McCrory leads this effort.  The Testing Center was busy this summer. They administered approximately 1,544 exams between June 8, 2020, the start of the MSU Summer Session, and July 31, 2020, the conclusion of the Summer Session, which this summer was conducted all online. The MSU Testing Center administered tests both in person and online via Zoom. Because the Testing Center was…

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The Missouri State University Libraries has renewed its annual membership in the Amigos library consortium, based in Dallas. As Amigos describes their mission, “We are a not-for-profit membership-based organization dedicated to serving libraries. At Amigos Library Services, we understand the needs and concerns faced by libraries and cultural heritage institutions. We’re librarians too. That is why we take pride in being one of the largest library service networks in the nation. Whether it’s for continuing education, member discounts, or professional advice, we…

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A new academic year brings with it the hustle and bustle of anxious students looking for classrooms, places to print their syllabi, and the perfect spot to sip coffee and catch up on the day’s events. With that in mind, the Public Services team of the MSU Libraries partnered with colleagues throughout the library to staff a table in the lobby to welcome faculty, staff, and students back to campus. The welcome table ran Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to…

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On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, the Springfield News-Leader newspaper published an article by Steve Pokin about the life of Shirley Jean Haworth, who passed away the previous Saturday. Pokin utilized several resources of the Missouri State University Libraries to research and write this article.  Shirley Jean Haworth was the daughter of Hershel (Speedy) and Wanna Faye Haworth. Aunt Martha, who among many accomplishments started the iconic restaurant Aunt Martha’s Pancake House, was her grandmother, and Slim Wilson was her great…

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