FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE          DATE: 5/5/03

CONTACT: EMILY SILVERMAN, (413) 545-0995

UMASS AMHERST LIBRARY EXTENDS HOURS FOR FINALS

     The W.E.B. Du Bois Library will begin its extended hours schedule on Sunday, May 11.

     On May 11, the Library hours are 1 p.m. - 2 a.m. From Monday, May 12, through Thursday, May 22, the Library will be open 7 a.m. - 2 a.m. On Friday, May 23, the Library will be open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., and on Saturday May 24, the building will be open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. with circulation services only.

     Public Safety's walking escort service will coincide with the extended hours. Call 545-2123 (Escort Service) or 545-2121 (Police Dispatch) to request a walking escort.

     A recorded message of hours for all UMass Amherst Libraries is available at 545-0414. The added hours are intended to provide students with additional study space during the last week of classes, reading period, and finals. No staffed services will be provided during the added hours of 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and midnight to 2:00 a.m.

     The extension of the Library's hours is the result of a collaboration of Library staff, Provost Charlena Seymour, Deputy Provost John Cunningham, and Public Safety.

     Hours for the science libraries are unchanged, and are available on the Library's Web site, http://www.library.umass.edu/hours.htm or by calling 545-0414.