Announcements from the Learning Commons in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst

1. Learning Commons Announcements
July 2010
“Nobody ever graduated from a library.
Nobody ever graduated without one.”

2. Summer Hours
Monday –Thursday: 8:00A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Saturday: 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Sunday: Closed
Summer Hours in Effect until September 4th

3. Future home of the new and expanded
Circulation/Reserves Service Desk!
Please look for this new desk to open in the
Learning Commons July 2010!

4. Exhibit:
“10 Years of
Massachusetts
Book Awards”
Lower Level,
Learning Commons
Du Bois Library
through September 30

6. Welcome to the
Expanded Learning Commons!
Over wintersession, extensive renovations
were completed. Some of the changes are:
• 5,000 additional sq. ft. of space
• 8 more study rooms, total = 26
• Seating space for 400, up from 250
• Over 200 computers, including
more than 30 Macs
• New multimedia computers

7. HAITI
In response to the earthquake in Haiti, librarians have compiled a list of
resources for the campus community and the public:
http://guides.library.umass.edu/haiti.
You can also go to the Library home page and click on Subject Research
Guides. Look for Hot Topics on right hand side.
The web page includes links to local/international news coverage of this tragedy
and organizations that are providing assistance, as well as library resources for
background information.
This page will be updated frequently in the coming days and will reflect current
efforts by the library and community organizations to serve residents affected by
this event.

8. www.twitter.com/umassLC

9. Leave something behind in the library?
Check the Library’s Lost and Found at the
Circulation Desk on the Entrance Level.

10. The Academic Advising Link
is a walk-in advising service providing declared and
undeclared undergraduates with answers to quick advising
questions.
Experienced Peer Advisors are on hand to assist you with:
Finding General Education courses
Interpreting your Degree Progress Report
Navigating Spire
and much more!

11. Phone
Can’t get to the Email Instant
Library? You can still message
get help from your
friendly UMass
librarians!

12. Please Excuse Our Appearance!
The Du Bois Improvement Project
Renovations are underway in the
Du Bois Library to replace the
building’s HVAC (heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning)
system and expand the Learning
Commons on the Lower Level.
The project will take approximately two years and will add 5,000
square feet to the Learning Commons.

13. THIS IS BIG.
POSTER PRINTING NOW AVAILABLE
AT THE LEARNING COMMONS

14. THIS IS BIG.
• Print posters up to 42” wide
• Premium satin-finish photo paper
• Great for presentations
• Printing by appointment only
Learn more:
http://www.umass.edu/learningcommons/posters/

15. During a FIRE ALARM
what do I do with a LIBRARY LAPTOP?
IF YOU CAN CARRY IT: IF YOU CANNOT CARRY IT:
Bring the laptop with you. Leave the laptop where it is.
Return it within 4 hours of the Library reopening. Once you are safe, call (413)545-2358
If you cannot return it within 4 hours:
Contact the Reserve Office at (413) 545-2358 or
appealsrmm@library.umass.edu
If you follow these instructions, late fees will be waived.
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY
Leave as quickly as possible

16. The UMass Amherst wireless network is now available on
every floor in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library.
To access the network:
1. Connect to the ‘UMASS’ wireless network.
2. Open a browser.
3. Log in with your NetID (OIT Account user
name) and password.
For more information, see:
www.oit.umass.edu/network/wireless
Coverage may vary depending upon location. Some areas on each
floor (e.g., in the stacks) may have limited or no coverage.

18. Remember to: :
Save to an external source such as a USB drive or UDrive
to avoid data loss if the computer is shut down!!!

19. 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.

20. 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!

21. OIT’s Remote Printing Service is here!
• Install a small plug-in on your own computer
• Send print jobs from your dorm room or the campus
wireless network to Learning Commons printers
• You have 8 hours to come pick up your print job.
Want to learn more?
•Ask at the Learning Commons & Technical Support Desk, or
•Visit the OIT website at http://www.oit.umass.edu/classrooms/printing/remote.html

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

23. Services: Reserve, Media & Microforms Department
Reserve, Media & Microforms Department
3rd floor, Du Bois Library
•Get readings that your professors have assigned for class
•Borrow or view DVDs, audio recordings, and other media
•Explore the retrofuturistic world of Microforms
Borrow a laptop, projector, or video camera
to use in the library

24. Remember to: :
Save to an external source such as a USB drive or UDrive
to avoid data loss if the computer is shut down!!!

25. Services: LC & Technical Support Desk
Learning Commons & Technical Support Desk
Get help with…
• Hardware & software
questions
• Accounts, passwords,
connections
• Navigating the library
and Learning Commons
• Stop by, call, or instant
Open every hour the Library is!!!! message us

26. Services: Reference & Research Assistance
Reference & Research Assistance
Find the perfect sources for your papers and
other research—work with a librarian!
•Stop by the Reference & Research
Assistance Desk anytime it is open…
•Make an appointment to work with a
subject specialist librarian…
•Or, ask a question via phone, email,
or IM.
http://www.library.umass.edu/ask

27. Services: Writing Center
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!
Check out umass.edu/writingcenter for details and appointments

28. Services: Academic Advising Link
Academic Advising Link
Academic advisors can connect you with the right academic programs
and opportunities and support your journey to academic success.
•Advising resources
•Campus-wide academic support
•General Education
Requirements
•Registration rules & regulations
•Special Learning Opportunities
•Degree Progress Audit
•SPIRE

29. The Academic Advising Link
is a walk-in advising service providing declared and
undeclared undergraduates with answers to quick advising
questions.
Experienced Peer Advisors are on hand to assist you with:
Finding General Education courses
Interpreting your Degree Progress Report
Navigating Spire
and much more!

30. Services: Learning Resource Center
Learning Resource Center
(10th floor of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library)
• Tutoring and supplemental instruction
for many difficult first and second year
courses.
• Drop-in help and weekly sessions
• Students helping students!
Check umass.edu/LRC for details…

31. Looking for quiet?
•Quiet study areas on 2nd and 3rd floors provide
comfortable seating, electrical outlets, and wireless
Internet access
•Drop-in carrels on 7th and 10th floors offer individual
study space; day-use lockers also located on these floors.
•To report noise in quiet areas in the Library, call 1-2272
from a phone in any elevator lobby, or go to the Building
Operations Desk on the entrance level.

32. 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)
• a. $0.99 per song
• b. $75.00 per song
• c. $100.00 per song
• d. $500.00 per song
• e. $750.00 per song

33. • A federal jury today ordered a Boston University
graduate student to pay four record labels $675,000 in
damages for illegally downloading 30 songs and sharing
them online. Boston.com 7/31/09
•That is the equivalent of 115 years of in-state tuition at UMass
Visit oit.umass.edu/copyright/index.html for information.

34. 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

35. www.twitter.com/umassLC

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