NEWS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: 09/01/06 CONTACT: LESLIE SCHALER, COMMUNICATIONS ASST., (413) 545-0162   LIBRARY HOSTS LEARNING COMMONS ACADEMIC OPEN HOUSE   Amherst, MA - The UMass Amherst Libraries will host a Learning Commons Academic Open House for students on Tuesday, September 5, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on the Lower Level of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. This event is part of the First Week activities and will offer students the opportunity to visit the Learning Commons and to learn about academic support services available on campus and in the LC that promote academic success. There will be refreshments, giveaways, and a DJ from WMUA. All students are invited. Students will be able to try out their UMass Amherst email accounts, add money to their UCards, print out their fall schedule from SPIRE, and get technology assistance. There will be opportunities to learn about academic advising, internships, co-ops, community service learning, study abroad, domestic exchange, career services, counseling and assessment services, disability services, library services (such as Reserves, Circulation, and Reference and Research Assistance), the Office of Information Technologies, the Writing Center, the Learning Resource Center, International Programs, Residential Academic Programs, Talent Advancement Programs, the Five College interchange, and several Schools and Colleges. For more information contact Emily Alling, Coordinator of Learning Commons and Undergraduate Library Services at ealling@library.umass.edu or 545-6740, or go to the Learning Commons Web site at http://www.umass.edu/learningcommons/.