MU Libraries Reach For All We Call Mizzou Campaign Goal

July 23, 2008

Story Contact:  Emily Smith, (573) 882-3346, SmithEA@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Libraries have succeeded in achieving an ambitious goal. In 2000, MU leaders and volunteers agreed to raise $8 million dollars for the libraries during the For All We Call Mizzou campaign. This was the largest campaign goal in the libraries’ history. The libraries’ staff met and surpassed this goal, raising $8.1 million as of June 30.

MU Chancellor Brady Deaton honored the library staff at a celebration on Wednesday in the Ellis Library Grand Reading Room.

“The libraries mean so much to Mizzou,” Deaton said. “They are both bastions of knowledge and havens of solitude. Scholars young and old form lasting bonds with the libraries and they want the libraries to thrive for generations to come.”

Donations benefit the main Ellis library as well as the eight branch libraries at MU: Columbia Missourian Newspaper Library, Engineering Library & Technology Commons, Geological Sciences Library, Health Sciences Library, Journalism Library, Mathematical Sciences Library, University Archives and Veterinary Medical Library. 

In 2004, the Richard L. Wallace Atrium in Ellis Library was dedicated in recognition of the retirement of Wallace, MU chancellor emeritus. A 2004 gift from James B. Nutter, Sr., a prominent Kansas City businessman, funded building of the Information Commons, a study area in Ellis that features café seats, workstations and 103 computers.

In September, the MU School of Journalism will celebrate its centennial and the opening of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute. The Reynolds Foundation gift will double the size of the journalism library.

“We are in the final year of the For All We Call Mizzou campaign and are enjoying seeing the transformation of our libraries made possible by our generous donors,” Deaton said. “We’ve expanded our physical space, our collections and our event offerings.”
The For All We Call Mizzou campaign, which will celebrate raising $1 billion in the spring of 2009. Reaching this goal will enhance MU’s ability to compete nationally and internationally for the best students and faculty and will provide broad access for students of all economic backgrounds to Missouri’s flagship University. The campaign has raised $952.54 million, 95 percent of the goal.
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