Library Notes

In May 2020 Richard Crabtree, a local realtor and historian, donated to the Missouri State University Libraries a booklet of old photos of the printing plant where Big Chief Tablets were made. Just about every child in Southwest Missouri in the twentieth century remembers Big Chief writing tablets. The famous tablet was initially developed in 1906 by the Western Tablet Company in St. Joseph, Missouri, owned by William Albrecht. The company eventually became the largest paper tablet producer in the…

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The Board of Governors recently announced Dr. Howard Orms, professor in Theatre, as one of the inductees to the MSU Wall of Fame. Orms had a significant impact on Missouri State’s theatre program and his influence is well documented in Meyer Library’s Special Collections and Archives. In 1966 Howard Orms began as a professor at Southwest Missouri State College (later Southwest Missouri State University and now Missouri State University) and retired in 1993. He arrived at an important time, as…

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The Missouri State University Libraries offers hundreds of databases on a plethora of subjects to support research conducted by faculty, students, and staff, and, when allowed by the terms of the various license agreements, to other users.  All these databases get used, but which ones receive the most use? There are many ways to measure use and value. Two common measures are the total number of “hits” made by MSU-affiliated users in a given fiscal year, and the cost per…

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Because MSU students couldn’t be in Duane G. Meyer Library this week to study for their final exams, we brought some Finals Week stress relief to their computers!  On Tuesday, May 12, library faculty and staff, along with their cats and dogs, met up on Zoom for a virtual pet therapy session.  Students and other members of the university community stopped by to enjoy the pets and talk about their semester.  The owners spoke about their animals, their quirks, and their stories. …

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Next Wednesday, May 20th, beginning at 10:30 a.m., MSU President Clif Smart and other members of the MSU Leadership Team will hold a Virtual Town Hall meeting in Zoom to answer questions and to address the concerns of MSU employees regarding MSU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans to gradually reopen campus. Updates about the university’s operating budget also will be provided.  Do you have questions or comments about the university’s response to COVID-19? Share your thoughts with President…

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Recently Mr. and Mrs. Donnell of the Phoenix metropolitan area made a much-appreciated financial gift to the Missouri State University Libraries to support the work of the Ozarks Studies Institute, one of many services and initiatives of the MSU Libraries.  The Ozarks Studies Institute (OSI) engages in many activities supporting Ozarks history and culture. The fabulous OzarksWatch magazine is published every year in the spring and fall. The new issue, on the general topic of Chroniclers of the Ozarks, will…

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During the current COVID-19 pandemic, access to digital content and online services from the Missouri State University Libraries has been expanded and improved. The best way to find these online resources is via our handy dandy Library Guide to online services and collections.  Beginning today, limited in-person services in Duane G. Meyer Library will resume. We will continue to roll out more services and access to various areas of the building in the coming months, with the goal to be…

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Daphne the Beagle is hosting a virtual pet therapy session during Finals Week.  Join us as library employees bring some of their dogs and cats to this Zoom event.  Ask questions about the critters, hear their stories – It’s like the end-of-semester visits to Meyer Library, without all the fur! This online event is open to members of the MSU university community. Tuesday, May 12, 20202:00 to 2:30 p.m. If there are any questions, please contact Anne Baker at AnneBaker@missouristate.edu. Please…

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Tyler Drenon from the Libraries Innovation Lab sends us these updates on the great collaborative work he is engaged in to provide more PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for healthcare professionals and other first responders:  Hope you’re staying safe and looking forward to seeing you all again soon.    Quick updates on the PPE initiative from the Libraries Innovation Lab: We have produced nearly 1,000 units of PPE for the Springfield Fire Department, SPD, Greene County Emergency Management, Christian County Emergency…

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The MSU Testing Center, located on the east side of the Lower Level of Duane G. Meyer Library, will be open to MSU students during Finals Week, May 11th to 14th. The Testing Center’s hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You will need your BearPass card to enter the building. Please use the automated card-swipe door at the main entrance on the south side of the building, near the fountain. Please wear a face…

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