Libraries Announce New Fall Services
NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 9/7/10
CONTACT : LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR, (413) 545-0162
UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES ANNOUNCE
NEW FALL SERVICES
Amherst, MA - The UMass Amherst Libraries has implemented several changes over the summer to improve service to users and optimize space.
The Libraries have released a redesigned website (http://www.library.umass.edu). Some of the new features include improved visibility, a prominent search box with an ability to search a broader range of resources; straightforward navigation making more content readily apparent; and better highlighting of valuable library services and collections. The new design is the culmination of extensive efforts to gather, analyze, and incorporate user feedback from students, faculty, and staff, which was collected through surveys, focus groups, and web analytics. The Libraries will continue to evaluate and improve the site over time. For more information: webmgr@library.umass.edu.
UMass Amherst WorldCat: New resource discovery service
The UMass Amherst Libraries now offer UMass Amherst WorldCat (http://umass.worldcat.org/) for finding books, journals, articles, media, maps, and more in libraries and collections locally and around the world. Available as the default search box on the Libraries home page (http://www.library.umass.edu/), UMass Amherst WorldCat gives searchers a simple gateway to find and retrieve a broad range of materials, including the Five Colleges catalog, the Boston Library Consortium virtual catalog, the OCLC WorldCat database, articles from a wide selection of journal indexes, and archival items held in numerous collections. UMass Amherst users can request materials from Five College and Boston Library Consortium Libraries and other libraries around the world, export citations to RefWorks, and use social networking tools to make lists, assign tags, and write reviews. For assistance, visit: http://www.library.umass.edu/ask/index.html. To give feedback about this new service, email wclsupport@library.umass.edu.
Combined Circulation/Reserves Desk
The new Circulation/Reserves Desk on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library combines the traditional services of the Circulation Desk (checkout, return, billing, and pickup of Five College and Interlibrary Loan books) with those of the Reserves Desk (pick up and return of print reserve materials, laptop computers, and digital cameras). This consolidation provides “one stop shopping” to most library services (Circulation/Reserves, Interlibrary Loan, Learning Commons & Technical Support, and Reference and Research Assistance) on one floor of the building during all hours the building is open. Circulation and Reserves phone numbers will remain the same.
Self-checkout machines remain available on the Entry Level of the Du Bois Library, and books may be returned to the drop boxes outside the building or just inside the entrance. Floor 3 will continue to house media (CDs, DVDs, videos, etc.), microforms viewing equipment and indexes, and music monuments and the Werfel collection.
Teaching Commons
The Teaching Commons, a space for faculty to collaborate or work individually, equipped with computers and presentation equipment, on site assistance and faculty service referrals, is open. The Teaching Commons supports the instruction, research, and development needs of the UMass Amherst faculty. Located on Floor 26 of Du Bois Library, the Teaching Commons is a collaboration between the Center for Teaching, the Office of Faculty Development, and the UMass Amherst Libraries. For more information, contact Sarah Hutton, Head of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Services (545-6740, shutton@library.umass.edu).
Poster Printer
A poster printer is available in the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library. This printing service is open to all and is by appointment only. Payment is by UCard or Guest Card. For more information: http://www.umass.edu/learningcommons/posters/.
Multimedia Equipment
12 camcorders and 10 Digital Audio Recorders and their accessories are available to UMass Amherst students to assist them with multimedia class assignments thanks to the collaboration of OIT, the Provost's Office, and the Libraries. These are available for 3-day loans at the new Circulation/Reserves desk on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library. Camcorders require user supplied mini DV tape. Audio recorders require 2 AA batteries (user supplied), while an SD memory card is recommended.
Streaming Resources
For faculty looking for streaming video or audio materials to integrate into instructional sessions or student projects, the Libraries provide access to fourteen audio and video databases including Classical Music Library, Naxos Video Library, Smithsonian Global Sound, and FMG Films on Demand. These resources contain thousands of documentaries, staged productions, film, and video segments, classical music, jazz, blues, and much more. For a detailed list, look at the “Research Databases” list on the Libraries website (www.library.umass.edu) or contact your library liaison.
For more information, contact Leslie Button (button@library.umass.edu, 413-545-6845).
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Last Edited: 15 November 2010
