UMass Amherst Libraries, Simmons and University of Rhode Island sponsor Library Career Reception

The Indispensible Librarian: Confessions and Tales from a Proud Profession

Are you exploring career options? The Occupational Outlook Handbook says “librarians use the latest information technology to perform research, classify materials, and help students and library patrons seek information.” Whatever your image of a librarian, we want to share stories with you from cutting-edge practitioners in a dynamic and rewarding profession.

On Wednesday, October 21^st, 2009 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. the UMass Amherst Libraries is hosting a Library Career Reception. Come hear about the work of today’s librarians, learn about graduate degree programs in library and information science, ask questions and view the campus from the 26^th floor of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. The program will include:

·         Jay Schafer - Director of Libraries, University of Massachusetts Amherst
·         Gale Eaton – Director, University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
·         Terry Plum – Assistant Dean, Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science
·         Lauri Kolakoski Fennell - Outreach and Education Coordinator, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region
·         Steven Folsom – Metadata Librarian, Image Collection Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
·         Beth Girshman – Adult Services Librarian, Jones Library, Amherst, MA
·         Beatrice Pulliam – Library Commons Librarian for Technology and Access, Providence College
·         Georgina Trebbe – Wilbraham Middle School Information Specialist, Wilbraham, MA

Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited, so please send your RSVP tolibadmin@library.umass.edu by Monday, October 19^th, 2009. We look forward to seeing you!

UMass Amherst Libraries announces expansion of services to users

Edited from the press release UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES ANNOUNCES EXPANDED SERVICES AND HOURS:

"A team of 18 librarians has created over 80 new subject research guides (http://www.library.umass.edu/subject ). These are designed to be convenient and relevant to students and faculty doing research, and can be embedded in the campus course management system, SPARK. A link to the page can also be found on the Library web site: http://www.library.umass.edu ."

CONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION ASST., (413) 545-0162

News from the Jones Library ESL Center

Are you curious about being a volunteer ESL tutor? Hear ESL volunteers describe their experiences working with their students on the Center’s web page http://www.joneslibrary.org/esl/index.html and on YouTube. These videos were developed by an intern from Amherst College’s Center for Community Engagement and helped to recruit 26 new tutors for the program’s fall tutor training. The list of students waiting for tutors is down to just 3—a record low. Contact Lynne Weintraub for more information at 259-3093.

~ Bonnie Isman, Library Director, Jones Library, Amherst, MA 01002; tel: 413-259-3106;
ismanb@joneslibrary.org

Visit the Jones Library's Tutors and Students website to listen to tutors and students share their experiences with the library's English as a Second Language Tutoring Program (one of the four videos is posted below).

UMass Amherst Libraries now host and maintain Digital Commonwealth Servers

The Digital Commonwealth of Massachusetts (DigiComm) and the UMass Amherst Libraries are pleased to announce that the libraries now host and maintains the Digital Commonwealth servers.

As the Massachusetts Land Grant institution, UMass Amherst supports the mission of DigiComm. The library will house, maintain and back up the portal's servers.

"Digital Commonwealth is pleased to announce this new relationship. We know that UMass Amherst Libraries are an appropriate home for our servers and we appreciate the robust nature of the support that the library will provide," said President Carolyn Noah.

About The Digital Commonwealth of Massachusetts (DigiComm)

The Digital Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a portal to the rich cultural heritage held in museums, historical societies, colleges, libraries and other cultural repositories in Massachusetts. From it site you can search or browse the digital collections of member institutions throughout the state for manuscripts, images, historical documents, and sound recordings. The portal provides you with enhanced access and retrieval of information to the digital assets of eight archives with holdings from over 35 cultural institutions (see:
http://www.digitalcommonwealth.org ).

About the UMass Amherst Libraries

The UMass Amherst Libraries (www.library.umass.edu) include the 28-story W.E.B. Du Bois Library (including the Learning Commons), the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library, the Image Collection Library, and the Music Reserve Lab. The system is the largest public academic research library in Massachusetts. Present holdings include over 3 million volumes. Together, the books, periodicals, government documents, maps, sound recordings, and microforms make up a collection of over 5.9 million items, with 2.5 million in microform format, and thousands of electronic resources. The Library provides access to nearly 45,000 online journals, over 300,000 e-books, 260 online indexes, and 350 open access indexes. The UMass Amherst Libraries are open to all. Borrowing privileges are extended to all adult residents of Massachusetts, UMass alumni, and to secondary students under 18.

Contact:

• Carolyn Noah, President, Digital Commonwealth
• MJ Canavan, Coordinator of Library Systems & Web Management, W.E.B. Du Bois Library

UMass Amherst Libraries Exhibit: "More Images from VISUAL"

The UMass Amherst Libraries will host an exhibit “More Images from VISUAL” through December 19, 2008, in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library in the Lederle GRC Lowrise, Floor 2, at UMass Amherst. VISUAL (Ventures in Science Using Art Laboratory: http://www.umassvisual.org) is based on the premise that the visual arts can serve as an effective means to educate the general public and students of all ages on the importance of scientific research in our everyday lives. An opening reception will be held on September 23, 2008, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information: http://www.library.umass.edu/news/08/moreimage08.html

~ Leslie Schaler, Library Communications, UMass Amherst Libraries

UMass Amherst Libraries Hosts Cookbook Discussion and Reception on October 5

The Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries will hold their 10th Annual Fall Reception in Memorial Hall at UMass Amherst on October 5, 2-4 pm. The speakers for “Why Cookbooks Matter” will include cookbook collectors, curators, and donors. The program starts at 2:30 p.m.; the event is free and open to the public.

For more information: http://www.library.umass.edu/news/08/cookbooks08.html

~ Leslie Schaler, Library Communications, UMass Amherst Libraries

A World of Cities

Exhibit: “A World of Cities,” prints, drawings and photographs from the permanent collection of the University Gallery, Jan. 31-April 30, 2008, Lower Level, Du Bois Library, UMass Amherst. “A World of Cities” corresponds to a spring 2008 seminar “The City” (Architecture and Design 211) taught by Amherst College history professor Frank Couvares and UMass Amherst Art professor Max Page. The opening reception, February 12, 2008, 4:30 p.m., is free and open to the public, refreshments will be served. The exhibit follows Du Bois Library hours: http://www.library.umass.edu/hours.html.

Photo info:
Paul Ickovic ( American, b. 1944, Czechoslovakia)
Fellini Set #1 Prague, 1981
Silverprint, 12 3/4 x 19 inches
Collection of the University Gallery, Purchased with Funds from the Alumni Association, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
UM 1981.37


~ Leslie Schaler, Development and Communication Dept., W.E.B. Du Bois Library (413) 545-0162 lschaler@library.umass.edu

UMASS Amherst Libraries host Images from Visual Exhibit

NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION ASST., (413) 545-0162

UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES HOSTS "Images From VISUAL"Amherst, MA - The UMass Amherst Libraries will host an exhibit "Images from VISUAL" from January 8, 2008, through April 29, 2008, in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise, Floor 2, at UMass Amherst. VISUAL (Ventures in Science Using Art Laboratory: http://www.umassvisual.org/) is an educational outreach program of the National Science Foundation supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at UMass Amherst. An opening reception will be held on January 22, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library. The reception will include refreshments and speakers from VISUAL. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the speakers, Al Crosby, Associate Director of Educational Outreach for MRSEC, will provide an introduction to and overview of VISUAL; Naomi Sanbria-Delong, a student, will give a presentation on her research and how the images were developed; and teacher Phyllis Vincenty will discuss the process of how the images are used in K-12 teaching.

The exhibit will feature 13, 32"x28" images selected from VISUAL's collection, each one captured during research at UMass Amherst.Accompanying each image will be a description, in non-technical terms, that explains the science behind the picture. Note cards featuring selected images will be available for sale. VISUAL is based on the premise that the visual arts can serve as an effective means to educate the general public and as students of all ages on the importance of scientific research in our everyday lives. Each captivating image is a direct experimental result from research conducted on the Amherst campus. By building on synergy between art and science, VISUAL provides a unique avenue by which both disciplines can be promoted, appreciated and encouraged.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center unites the efforts of 34 faculty members from six departments (Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Plant Biology, Physics, and Polymer Science andEngineering) at UMass Amherst, and has research collaborations and outreach programs with over 12 other institutions. The Center has been supported by the National Science Foundation for 29 years.

For more information, contact Danielle Kovacs at dkovacs@library.umass.edu or 545-2784, or for more information about VISUAL, contact Kathy Russell at visual@mail.pse.umass.edu or 577-1629.

Library Benefit Day

UMass Libraries Amherst Benefit Day

Saturday, December 8, 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Jeffery Amherst Bookshop & College Store, 55 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, will donate 10% of its proceeds to the UMass Amherst Libraries. Purchases can be made in the store, by phone (253-3381), fax (253-7852), or email (marie@jeffbooks.com). Support the area’s only public research library by shopping at an independent bookseller. Free gift wrapping!

~ Leslie Schaler, Communication Assistant, UMass Libraries

Local Artists Exhibit at Jones Library's Burnett Gallery

Theresa Rock and Caitlin Waugh, two local artists, are showing together at the Burnett Gallery in the Jones Library from December 2- 30, 2007. The artists will be in the gallery during the Amherst Artwalk, Thursday, December 6 from 5pm-8pm and on Saturday, December 8 from 2pm-4pm.

Caitlin Ezell Waugh graduated from Hampshire College in December, 2005 with a BA in Sculpture and Literary Journalism. She spent the year after college as an apprentice glazier at Luminosity Studios in Waitsfield, Vt., and continued to travel in Latin America. Waugh moved back to the Pioneer valley in January of 2007 in order to set up her studio and focus on her career as a stained glass artist.

In the Burnett Gallery December exhibit, entitled ‘Flight’, Waugh will display a flock of three-dimensional hanging glass landscapes. Small, simple and geometric, these hanging pieces create dynamic spaces and backdrops across which tiny silouttees of birds fly.

You can see some of Waugh’s other work at caitlinwaugh.com Theresa Rock is a painter in Pelham, Ma. She enjoys the freedom painting gives her to develop and experiment with organic forms. This show, Of Earth and Sky, represents her work from the past two years. All of the paintings are extracted from natural elements. The older works in the series have more concrete forms, while the most recent are a purer form of organic abstraction.

To see more of her work go to http://www.blogger.com/www.art2rock.com.