Weekly Annoucements from the UMass Amherst Learning Commons.

1. Learning Commons Announcements Week of December 1st “ Nobody ever graduated from a library. Nobody ever graduated without one.” Stairwell Mural in Du Bois

2. The Library will again be open 24/7 for Final Exams Continuously from … 11:00 A.M. Sunday, December 7 th to 9:00 P.M. Friday, December 19 th Looking for a place to study during FINALS? & Saturday December 20 th from 7:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M .

3. Need research or reference assistance? Our librarians offer satellite hours at various locations : Afro-American Studies Isabel Espinal Wed 10:30 am – 12 noon 307 New Africa House Isenberg School of Management Mike Davis Tues 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 213 ISOM Landscape Arch. & Regional Planning Madeleine Charney Wed 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Lounge, Hills North Physical and Bio Sciences General Questions Maxine Schmidt Wed 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Blue Wall, Campus Center Social Sciences General Questions Steve McGinty, Barbara Morgan Wed & Thurs11:30 am – 1:00 pm Café, Thompson Hall

4. Too many databases? Not sure where to start? Don’t be overwhelmed—use a Research Guide! A team of 18 librarians has created over 80 new subject research guides for various topics. These are designed to be convenient and relevant to students and faculty doing research, and can be embedded in SPARK. You can find them at http://www.library.umass.edu/subject or just use the link on the homepage.

5. Are you an undergraduate? Are you great at using primary sources? Enter your work for the Friends of the Library Undergraduate Research Award Your paper or project could win you $750! To find out submission criteria, deadlines, or to apply, visit http://ncane.com/m2m or call Danielle Kovacs at 413-545-2784 or [email_address] Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and The Department of Special Collections and University Archives

6. For more information, contact Rachel Lewellen, Assessment Librarian at 545-3343 or [email_address] . The UMass Amherst Libraries is conducting a brief survey to assess how electronic resources are used. The survey will run during randomly selected times from now until August 2009. During the survey, users will be required to answer 5 short questions before accessing the electronic resources. This information will help us better understand how our resources support research, teaching, and coursework.

7. . Exhibit: “UMass Football Memories” Learning Commons, Lower Level, Du Bois Library, through Dec.19 Photographs, brochures, artifacts, and other football related materials from the Special Collections & University Archives Department.

9. Study Abroad Advising at The Link Mondays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Tuesdays, 12:30-3:00 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Brought to you by the International Programs Office, 545-2710, www.ipo.umass.edu , abroad@ipo.umass.edu

11. Check the availability of OIT computer stations in the Learning Commons and the Computer Classrooms: http://classrooms-av.oit.umass.edu/view.php Be sure to check the classroom hours and scheduled classes at the site before going to a classroom!

16. Printing files from SPARK? Avoid problems! Before you print, SAVE YOUR FILE TO THE DESKTOP THEN, open it and print.

20. Writing Center Services: Writing Center Stop in or make an appointment to get 30 minutes of assistance on your writing project from trained experts. All levels and disciplines are welcome!

21. Wr iting Center Fall Hours: Services: Writing Center Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Monday - Wednesday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

23. Academic Advising Link Fall Hours Services: Academic Advising Link Sunday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Wednesday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

25. Learning Resource Center Fall Hours Services: Learning Resource Center (10th floor of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library) Sunday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fall hours begin on Sunday September 14 th .

28. Sample question from OIT Copyright Quiz What is the minimum the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) can make you pay for infringing copyright on just one song ?(Choose one) Inform yourself. Protect yourself. Take the OIT Copyright Quiz: http://www.oit.umass.edu/copyright/quiz.html

29. Can’t get all your research materials at the UMass Amherst Libraries? We can get them for you! Order books and articles through our FAST and FREE Interlibrary Loan service!

30. If you need a BOOK… First try the Five Colleges Libraries , use the Request Item feature within the 5 College catalog. Delivery is within 2 – 3 days. For Books not held in the 5 Colleges or for loans of other types of materials go to the Library’s Interlibrary Loan page http://www.library.umass.edu/services/ill/index.html . Log in and fill out the ‘Request a Loan' form and the Interlibrary Loan staff will do the rest. Delivery is in 7 - 10 days

31. If you need an ARTICLE… Go to the Library’s Interlibrary Loan page http://www.library.umass.edu/services/ill/index.html . Log in and fill out the ‘ Request a Copy' form and the Interlibrary Loan staff will do the rest. Electronic delivery is in 1-3 days.

32. http://www.library.umass.edu 30,000 online journals 300+ research databases Connect instantly to millions of dollars’ worth of quality, scholarly resources! Start your academic research with the Libraries: One-click access to FREE Interlibrary Loan & help

33. Did a slide go by too quickly? Visit the Learning Commons website: http://www.umass.edu/learningcommons and click Weekly Announcements (under News) View these announcements on the Web!