Library Notes

George Hodgman, the author of the charming, witty memoir, Bettyville (2016), a NY Times bestseller and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, will visit MSU in April. A welcome reception will be held for him in Room 107 of Duane G. Meyer Library on Monday, April 17th, from 4:30 to 6:30. During the day on Tuesday, April 18th, he will meet with various classes and groups on campus, culminating in an evening talk on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m….

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In 2016, Cataloging modified 91,560 bibliographic records in the SWAN cluster database. It is important to keep up with these corrections, both to improve intellectual access, and to be ready down the road if we migrate to another ILS, or if BibFrame is implemented. In 2016, Cataloging modified 11,175 item records (ours) in the SWAN cluster database. This was not NEW cataloging, but making some change to the status or call number of an item added earlier. Database cleanup is unseen by…

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The Special Collections and Archives unit of the MSU Libraries has received a $2,500 grant from the Missouri Humanities Council to assist in “The Women of the Mother Road in Missouri.” Anne Baker, Interim Head of Special Collections and Archives, will serve as the principal investigator, working with documentarian Katrina Parks, whose web-based project for the National Park Service’s Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, route66women.com began interest in the topic. This oral history project will involve three screenings and discussions (two…

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On Saturday, March 18th from 10:00 to 5:00, our own Amy Hankins will be hosting Reptile Day at the Fairbanks, as part of our public service efforts for the Northwest Project. Reptile Day will be a hands-on, educational event for the whole family. Several knowledgeable people will be on hand with live reptiles and amphibians, and will answer any questions regarding these animals. We also plan to have a table featuring Missouri’s native species of reptiles and amphibians. Gotta love a…

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The Library Green Team is participating in a national effort in support of RecyleMania during the month of March.   RecycleMania is designed to raise awareness of the need to reduce waste.  Our primary message is Refuse to Use plastics that are not recyclable or difficult to recycle because few places take them. With the help of Jordan Schanda, MSU’s Sustainability Coordinator, her mom, and several students, we put together an art display on the ramp going into Meyer Library.

Last week Jan Johnson and Tom Peters submitted a grant application on behalf of the MSU Libraries to seek financial support for our public service efforts to create a neighborhood library in the Fairbanks School as part of the larger Northwest Project, involving MSU, Drury, and the Drew Lewis Foundation. Funds are being sought from the Gannett Foundation in the amount of $5,000. Gannett is the publisher of the Springfield News-Leader. The Gannett Foundation supports local organizations in communities served…

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Soon the new Open Access Computer Lab, as well as the main lobby, will have expanded hours. They will be open 24/5 during the week. Friday night they will close at midnight and reopen Saturday morning at 9:00. They will close again at midnight Saturday, then open again at noon on Sunday. When the rest of the library building is closed, only the  automatic door at the main entrance on the south side of the building will be open.

Scores of well-wishers from the MSU Libraries, across the university, and throughout the region attended the retirement reception for Lynn Cline on Monday afternoon, February 27, 2017. Lynn retired after over 41 years of service to the MSU Libraries.  He was very active in his service to the university and the region. He mentored many librarians and library staff members who are now leading libraries throughout Missouri and beyond. Watch for a “Spotlight” article about Lynn’s career in next Tuesday’s…

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The current issue (March) of American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library Association, contains an article about the 2017 Emerging Leaders.  Our own Jessica Bennett is a member of this class! Quoting from the article: “Initiated in 1997 as a one-year program under former ALA President Mary R. Somerville and revived in 2006 under former ALA President Leslie Burger, Emerging Leaders recognizes the best and brightest new leaders in our industry. It’s open to librarians under 35 years of…

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The work of designing and building a Grant Beach Neighborhood Library at the Fairbanks continues to move forward.  It is amazing how much work goes on in the background.  Some examples: Joshua is working out how to get the library information system up and running.  Sue M ran into a snag trying to get the HiSET testing in place.  It can be done here so she is looking into ways to make it happen. Raegan provided a list of items…

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