Weekly Annoucements from the UMass Amherst Learning Commons.

1. Learning Commons Announcements Week of February 23rd “ Nobody ever graduated from a library. Nobody ever graduated without one.” 2009

2. 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. Please Excuse Our Appearance! The Du Bois Improvement Project The project will take approximately two years and will add 5,000 square feet to the Learning Commons.

3. Study Abroad Advising at The Link Mondays: 1:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m., 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesdays: 1:00-6:00 p.m. Thursdays: 2:00-4:00 p.m. Brought to you by the International Programs Office, 545-2710, www.ipo.umass.edu , abroad@ipo.umass.edu

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

7. Declare your Minor in Education! Taking your final Minor in Education classes? Bring your degree progress report to the Educator Information Office, 121 Furcolo Hall School of Education Deadline: March 1st Have questions? Interested in the Minor? The Educator Information Office is here for you! 413.545.2002 • [email_address]

8. “ Natural History Prints” by John Green An exhibit of photographs by the Artist, Naturalist and Guide. January 5 th to May 8th ISEL: Integrated Science & Engineering Library

9. UMass Amherst Housing and Residence Life invites applications for Resident Assistant, Apartment Living Advisor, and Peer Mentor positions for Fall 2009. All information can be found at: http://www.housing.umass.edu/staff/index.html Apartment Living Advisors (ALAs) are live-in, part-time, student staff members in the North apartment buildings. This position is very similar to the RA position. Peer Mentors are undergraduate students who live-in our first year residence halls and assist first year students with their transition into college. Amongst other aspects of their job, Peer Mentors work closely with students to help them find academic resources throughout the university. RA and ALA Applications DUE March 2nd! PM Applications DUE March 9th!

10. Interested in applying for a Resident Assistant, Peer Mentor, or Apartment Living Advisor position? Attend an Information Session: Student Staff Information Sessions (RA and PM) @ 7pm Monday 2/9: Crampton Basement Tuesday 2/10: Berkshire DC Wednesday 2/11: Campus Center 803 Thurdsay 2/12: Johnson Lounge Tuesday 2/17: Baker Conference Room Wednesday 2/18: McNamara Main Lounge Thursday 2/19: Campus Center 803 ALA Information Sessions @7pm: Tuesday 2/24: North D115 Wednesday 2/25: North D115 More information: http://www.housing.umass.edu/staff/index.html RA and ALA Applications DUE March 2nd! PM Applications DUE March 9th!

11. 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.

12. Workshops, Spring 2009 With RefWorks, citation management is a snap! Bibliographies are a breeze! Take a workshop and learn more. Registration is required: [email_address] Location: W.E.B. Du Bois Library - Calipari Room Dates & times: Tuesday, 2/17, 2:30-3:45 pm Wednesday, 3/11, 10:00-11:15 am Tuesday, 3/24, 2:30-3:45 pm Thursday, 4/16, 9:00-10:15 am

13. Workshops, Spring 2009 With RefWorks, citation management is a snap! Bibliographies are a breeze! Take a workshop and learn more. Registration is required: [email_address] Location : Integrated Science and Engineering Library (ISEL) Dates & times: Mon. 2/23, 2:30-3:20 pm Tues. 2/24, 7-8 pm Tues. 3/3, 11:15 am-12:15 pm Mon. 3/30, 3:35-4:25 pm Tues. 4/7, 9:30-10:30 am Tues. 4/27, 7-8pm NOTE: The content of ISEL workshops is the same as those in Du Bois, except science databases will be used as examples.

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

15. 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

16. 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.

18. 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!

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

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

28. 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!

33. 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

34. 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!