The Frank Lee Martin Journalism Library, located at the Reynolds Journalism Institute, houses the largest academic collection of journalism-related materials in the world. It is part of the University of Missouri library system.

As the journalism library moves into its second century its history melds with its future, providing the most technologically advanced tools, experiential and collaborative space (both physical and virtual) of any academic library operating today.

We invite you to come into the library to read one of our print newspapers. Perhaps you would like to search or browse the 35,000 digital global news publications available through one of our online aggregators. Or maybe you would enjoy reading the latest news on our Kindle eReader.

Would you like to prop your feet up and watch the news on one of our 5 flat screen TV’s? Although silent to those using the library, they may glance up to read closed caption text or check out an infrared headset to listen to the news without bothering anyone else.

Take a moment to browse the Jack and Dorothy Fields and Angus and Betty McDougall’s photojournalism book collections in the library’s lower level or enjoy more than 50 Pictures of the Year International photographs lining the library walls. While there, browse the Steve Weinberg Journalism Fiction Collection, the largest growing academic journalism fiction collection in the world, approaching 4000 volumes. You’ll find it with the rest of the over 30,000 volume academic collection tucked away in automated compact shelving. Placing book stacks in a quadrant of the lower level has allowed us to maximize the space for student collaboration, research and study.

History

Information is the currency of democracy.

Thomas Jefferson

Libraries enable the past to talk to the future.

Edward Cornish

The Frank Lee Martin Journalism Library today is a much different place than the one Sarah Lockwood Williams created 100 years ago. Sarah, both faculty and wife of Dean Walter Williams opened the journalism library in a small room in Switzler Hall with a special appropriation of $300, 92 donated books, some newspapers and a Missourian clippings file. Students managed the collection.

By 1920, the library moved to Neff Hall, became a branch of the main library and Julia Sampson became “Assistant in Charge of the Journalism Library. ” Ms Sampson, had attended Stephens College and had worked at the main library for 5 years.

In Ms. Sampson’s 1920 annual report, she noted that the journalism collection numbered over 1,000 cataloged books, 100 magazines, 50 city newspapers, 50 foreign newspapers, and 10 foreign magazines.

The journalism library moved once more in 1937, when Walter Williams Hall was completed. On May 15, 1942, the journalism library became the Frank Lee Martin Memorial Library – dedicated to the memory of a dean who had helped transform the world of journalism education. The library employed a closed stack collection until 1961 when it was open for browsing and self-retrieval.

In 1974 the Journalism Library was temporarily housed in Ellis Library rooms 103 and 104 for a year while renovations to the Walter Williams location were made. The renovation more than doubled the shelf space. New tables and chairs provided seating for 72 in the upstairs reading room and 6 in the lower level stacks, now connected by a spiral staircase. The library was rededicated on April 24, 1975 after moving back into the renovated space.

In 1985, technology came to the library with the first online catalog.

When Dean Mills and Roger Gafke envisioned the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute back in the early 1990s, a journalism library was part of that vision. During construction of RJI, which included renovating Walter Williams Hall and the former Sociology Building, the library moved once again – this time to the basement of Neff Annex – in 2005. It remained there until August 2008 when we moved into our wonderful new space in the Reynolds Journalism Institute.

During the last 100 years, the journalism library has evolved along with the faculty and students its mission is to serve.

It still preserves the history and tools of the profession, but it also strives to provide access to a universe of emerging information for students, scholars and practitioners throughout the world.

Facilities

Newspapers

The Journalism Library subscribes to 25 domestic and international print newspapers. Domestic papers are arranged in alphabetical order by city and international papers by country in the newspaper display cabinet across from the public services desk. Access to over 35,000 digital newspapers and newswires is available to journalism library customers through Factiva, Lexis Nexis Academic, Newsbank and PressDisplay as well as individual subscriptions available on the library’s Kindle.

Print journals/magazines/periodicals

Most academic journals are now available online via the online catalog (MERLIN), but many professional and trade journals are still available only in print.  Print journals are displayed on the southeast wall of the library’s main floor, visible when entering the library.

Reference collection

The journalism library has a small print reference collection on the main level.  Many classic print titles like The Red Books (formerly: Standard Directory of Advertisers and Advertising Agencies), SRDS Online (formerly: SRDS Advertising Sources for magazines, newspapers, radio, TV/Cable, out-of-home and interactive services), Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media, Editor & Publisher Yearbook
are now available online, either through the online catalog or the databases page.

Masters projects/masters theses/dissertations

Journalism library master’s students may choose to write a thesis or do a project.  Print and digital theses are available through the online catalog, with newer digital theses available through MU’s Electronic Theses and Dissertation Archives http://edt.missouri.edu/.  All print master’s projects are available in the journalism library. The collection spans four decades and is available for checkout and inter library loan.

Books/ebooks/collections

The journalism library has an on-site collection of over 30,000 print books.  It includes the working collection of journalism, communication, and strategic communication books as well as a growing 4000-volume journalism fiction collection. The Steve Weinberg Journalism Fiction Collection, named for journalist and author, Steve Weinberg, is a collection of novels with primary characters depicted as journalists.  These books are housed in state-of-the-art compact shelving with one-touch electronic movement and a passive laser safety system

Students and faculty also have access to a growing e-book collection, including reference titles, available 24/7 which is especially welcomed by the growing online masters program. 

The library also houses the largest academic photojournalism collection which include books from the Jack and Dorothy Fields Collection, Pictures of the Year International Collection, and the Angus and Betty McDougall Photojournalism Collection.  This is only fitting since photojournalism as an academic subject was born at the Missouri School of Journalism.  In addition to these collections, the journalism library has a substantial historical collection of typography books.  Since the journalism library collection is over 100 years old, several thousand books and periodicals are either in the MU Libraries’ Special Collections or safely stored in off-site storage where temperature and humidity levels are closely monitored. 

Individual and group study space

The journalism library space has been optimized for collaboration.  Most furniture is modern, mobile and comfortable.  Colorful portable screens are available to make student study space more private.  Two group study rooms are available in the lower level of the library and may be booked ahead online.  The library shares a meeting room with the National Freedom of Information Coalition (RJI 102-a) which may be booked for meetings, instruction and webinars.  Check availability by contacting Dorothy Carner or Sue Schuermann.

Technology

The journalism library has 35 computers (15 iMacs, 20 Macbook laptops) with a full suite of multimedia software, 2 color flatbed scanners, black & white and color laser printers, photocopier, 5-52” flat screen TVs, and a microfilm reader/scanner.

Contact

Current students/faculty

Assistance is available by calling 573-882-7502 during open hours or emailing: jlib@missouri.edu; Dorothy Carner Journalism Librarian, and Sue Schuermann, Library Information Specialist II. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome.

Alumni

The Frank Lee Martin Journalism Library will always be your library and its staff will always be willing to assist you with your information needs. Feel free to contact Dorothy Carner or Sue Schuermann for assistance. Members of the Mizzou Alumni Association have access to Academic Search Alumni edition and Business Source Alumni edition click here.

Journalists

If you have a specific information need and think that we at the journalism library might help, please feel free to contact Dorothy Carner or Sue Schuermann. We will be happy to work with you.