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Press Releases 2008
Office of Faculty Development Holds "Mini-Writing Retreats" in Library | ||
 | The Office of Faculty Development will hold monthly mini-writing retreats for all faculty on the following Fridays-Feb. 27, March 27, and April 24, at the Faculty Writing Place, Room 1602, Du Bois Library. December 29, 2008 | |
Libraries Will Offer January Workshops for Faculty and Instructors | ||
 | The Libraries will offer two workshops in January, “Putting Reading Lists Online in RefShare,” Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, and “Finding Library Resources,” Tuesday, January 20, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, in the Du Bois Library. December 12, 2008 | |
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 | The Du Bois Library will be open 24 hours a day starting Sunday, December 7, 11:00 a.m., until Friday, December 19, 9:00 p.m. Du Bois will also be open Saturday, December 20, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library will be open Saturday, December 20, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., instead of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November 25, 2008 | |
 | The UMass Amherst Libraries hosts an exhibit “UMass Football Memories” in the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library, during normal library hours through December 19, 2008. November 17, 2008 | |
| The Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library added 10 hours per week to the schedule. A team of 18 librarians has created over 80 new subject research guides and librarians offer satellite hours at various locations around campus. November 13, 2008 | |
 | To commemorate the recent election of America’s first African-American president, the Libraries honors the enduring legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois with an exhibit through November 27 in Special Collections and University Archives, Floor 25, Du Bois Library. November 7, 2008 | |
Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library Closed November 8 | ||
 | The Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library will be closed on Saturday, November 8, 2008, due to a planned power outage to complete necessary electrical work on the building’s main electrical service. The Library is expected to re-open on Sunday, November 9, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. October 28, 2008 | |
| The UMass Amherst Libraries is conducting a brief survey to assess how electronic resources are used to support research, teaching, and coursework. The survey will be conducted at randomly selected times twice a month through August 2009. October 17, 2008 | |
Libraries Announces Friends of the Library Undergraduate Research Award | ||
 | The Friends of the Library and the Library’s Department of Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) announce a new award for undergraduates at UMass Amherst. The Friends of the Library Undergraduate Research Award will recognize excellence in the use of primary sources. Students are invited to submit papers or projects they have completed at UMass Amherst during the 18 months prior to the submission deadline of February 13, 2009. Winners will be announced in mid-March; the first place award is $750, with two honorable mention awards at $250 each. October 14, 2008 | |
Libraries Announces Image Collection Library Diversity Grant | ||
| The Libraries’ Image Collection Library was awarded a Diversity Grant for $6,000 by the General Education Council to fund the creation of 1500 digital images, available by May 2009, of artworks produced by Latin-American, African-American, and women artists. The digital images will be accessible by any UMass campus community member (faculty, student, staff) and will be available for use in classroom presentations, study review, and research. October 10, 2008 | |
UMass Amherst Libraries Hosts Social Change Events in October | ||
 | Special Collections and University Archives will host a series of events on social change in October. Two authors will read from their works: Tom Fels on October 21 and Cathy Wilkerson on October 24, both in the Special Collections Reading Room, Floor 25, Du Bois Library, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The film Hearts and Minds will be shown on October 27, 7:00 p.m., and on October 29, 2:00 p.m., at Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity St., Amherst. The Fourth Annual Colloquium on Social Change will feature journalist Parker Donham and activist Junius Williams on October 28, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Campus Center 165-169, UMass Amherst. All events are free and open to the public. October 7, 2008 | |
Speakers at Universal Access Digital Library Summit Call for Action to Protect the Public Domain | ||
 | At a gathering organized by the Boston Library Consortium, Inc. (BLC) in cooperation with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, leaders from the academic and research communities voiced concerns about restrictions on use of public domain works that are being scanned for commercial purposes from library collections. The Universal Access Digital Library Summit, held on September 24 and 25 at the Boston Public Library, was framed as a call for new approaches to the digitization of library collections that will unleash their full potential and turn back erosion of the public’s rights. October 3, 2008 | |
Libraries and Graduate School Host Open Access Day October 14 | ||
| The UMass Amherst Libraries and the Graduate School will participate in the first International Open Access Day on October 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Commons, Lower Level, Du Bois Library. The event will include an international webcast, speakers, and a discussion session. Researchers, educators, librarians, students, and the public are invited to attend. UMass Amherst Libraries is one of more than 65 libraries around the world participating in Open Access Day. Refreshments will be served. October 1, 2008 | |
Springfield Republican story on “Why Cookbooks Matter” October 5 | ||
| Head of Special Collections Rob Cox and Reference Librarian Melinda McIntosh are quoted in an article in the Republican on the Library’s fall reception featuring cookbook curators and collectors. September 22, 2008 • The Repubican | |
 | 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. An opening reception will be held on September 23, 2008, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library. The event is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served. September 8, 2008 | |
 | 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. Invitation Republican Article September 5, 2008 | |
 | The UMass Amherst Libraries is pleased to announce a new branch, the Image Collection Library, dedicated to assisting the campus community (faculty, students, and staff) in the use of images in the classroom and in research. This facility evolved from the Art History Perkins Slide Library in room 221 Bartlett Hall. August 28, 2008 | |
| "Living history has a certain emotional power to it. UMass has made an important contribution toward keeping alive the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois in a manner that sustains the relevance of this great human struggle for equality." August 26, 2008 • The Daily Hampshire Gazette | |
| The Daily Hampshire Gazette interviews Head of Special Collections Rob Cox on the Du Bois Homesite renovations. August 23, 2008 • The Daily Hampshire Gazette | |
 | Berkshire Eagle reports on Du Bois Boyhood Homesite preview where Director of Libraries Jay Schafer announced grants to fund a Du Bois cultural center. July 29, 2008 • The Berkshire Eagle | |
UMass Amherst holds preview of W.E.B. Du Bois Homesite renovations | ||
 | The University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Friends of the Du Bois Homesite are working together to develop a memorial to the life and works of W.E.B. Du Bois at the Du Bois Boyhood Homesite in Great Barrington. A preview of the site for outgoing Chancellor Thomas W. Cole, Jr. was held on July 24, 2008, at the Homesite. Recent improvements include a parking lot, signage, and a pathway to a memorial boulder installed in 1969. July 24, 2008 | |
| The Berkshire Eagle interviews Rachel Fletcher of Friends of the Du Bois Homesite on improvements of the site. July 8, 2008 • The Berkshire Eagle | |
| The Springfield Republican interviews Library archivist Tonia Sutherland and Director of UMass Press Bruce Wilcox. July 2, 2008 • The Springfield Republican | |
| The University of Massachusetts at Amherst has raised nearly $28 million in donations over the past fiscal year, 25 percent ahead of last year's pace, defying predictions that fund-raising would suffer following last year's departure of popular chancellor John Lombardi. July 2, 2008 • The Boston Globe | |
 | Director of Libraries, Jay Schafer, is quoted in an article in the New York Daily News on UMass Amherst’s plans to pay tribute to W.E.B. Du Bois. June 17, 2008 • NY Daily News | |
Peregrine Falcon Chicks Banded In Nest Atop UMass Amherst Library | ||
 | Peregrine Falcon Chicks Banded In Nest Atop UMass Amherst Library Peregrine falcons have nested on the roof of the Du Bois Library for the sixth time. Three chicks, one female and two males, were hatched six to seven weeks ago. June 11, 2008 | |
 | “The UMass Press: 45 Years of Publishing History” is on display through August 31, 2008, in the Learning Commons on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library. The exhibit includes books representing the Press’s many series, including Award-Winning Titles; Culture, Politics, & the Cold War; Environmental Science; Regional & Local Titles; Creative Writing; and Faculty Authors. Watch video interview June 3, 2008 | |
| On Friday, May 30, 2008, the UMass Amherst Libraries will close at 4:00 p.m. On May 31, 2008, the Du Bois Library will open at 10:00 a.m. and the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library will be closed. May 23, 2008 | |
| The UMass Amherst Libraries will host an exhibit celebrating the 10th anniversary of the President’s Public Service Award from May 12, 2008, to May 22, 2008, on the Lower Level of the Du Bois Library. Each year the University honors Professors who have made a mark in public service. The exhibit includes text about the awards, the winners, the campuses, and photos of President Wilson and the honorees with campus Chancellors. April 30, 2008 | |
 | Associate Professor of Biology Jeff Podos’ exhibit of neotropical birds will be on display from May 5 to August 26, 2008 in the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library, Graduate Research Center Lowrise at UMass Amherst. The exhibit includes twelve 16" x 20" color photos or photo montages of birds from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and the Galápagos Islands. The birds were photographed in their natural environments. April 23, 2008 | |
 | The Reserve, Media & Microforms (RMM) Department on Floor 3 of the Du Bois Library is now open 24/5. Library users can now check out laptops from the Reserve Desk during all the hours the Library is open. Also available 24/5, are a multimedia projector for loan, course reserves, media, and microforms. The Learning Commons now provides calculators, headphones, diskettes, and office supplies. Wireless access has been expanded. April 23, 2008 | |
 | The UMass Amherst Libraries will host a Library Career Reception on Wednesday, April 23, 2008. “Me, a Librarian?” will be held in the Learning Commons on the lower level of the Du Bois Library from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Brenda Mitchell-Powell. Other guests include faculty from nearby library programs at Simmons, University of Rhode Island, and the University at Albany, as well as professional librarians. April 3, 2008 | |
 | Professor Ed Klekowski’s exhibit of WWI artifacts recently found in France is now on display in the Learning Commons of the Du Bois Library through April 30. The artifacts range from a canteen to bullets, shells, and a sword bayonet, among other artifacts. Professor Klekowski uses the artifacts to help tell the stories of two films he has in production - Yankees Fight the Kaiser and Model T's to Glory: 1914-1917. Both films have strong New England stories, based primarily on Massachusetts connections. March 31, 2008 | |
 | The centennial of the Graduate School will be celebrated Wednesday, April 9, with a series of colloquia led by ten eminent alumni. Representing the Libraries and the School of Education is Homer L. “Skip” Meade, Ed.D. Dr. Meade’s talk “The University’s Archives: Inspiration from Days Gone By,” will be in Campus Center room 904, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Event Poster March 25, 2008 | |
 | Jessica Willis from the Berkshire Eagle interviews Jay Schafer, Director of Libraries, on the Du Bois home site renovations. March 24, 2008 • Berkshire Eagle | |
“Balancing the Books : Vision, hard work, and generous giving write a new chapter for campus libraries” | ||
 | In an article about the transformation of the Library, Judith Cameron says, “Five years ago, the state cut the UMass Amherst Libraries’ acquisition budget from $5 million to $1 million, and 20 percent of the staff left with early retirement incentives. In the face of these tough challenges, the campus charted a new course for one of the most essential entities a research university provides.” March 21, 2008 • UMass Magazine | |
Colloquium: “Engaging the Web for Scholarship, Pedagogy, and Publication” | ||
| UMass Amherst will host “Engaging the Web for Scholarship, Pedagogy, and Publication” on March 28, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in Campus Center Room 163C. Dr. Siva Vaidhyanathan, associate professor of Media Studies and Law at the University of Virginia, will give the keynote talk “The Googlization of Everything.” The program will also include a faculty panel presentation of Scholarworks implementations, remarks on the Carnegie Classification on Community Engagement, and a facilitated luncheon that will result in action plans for keeping author rights and publishing in an online environment, addressing concerns about Intellectual Property (IP), and adopting ScholarWorks. March 12, 2008 | |
| Lorrey and Kathy Bianchi are interviewed about their generous gift to the Libraries. “Via a bequest, the Libraries are expected to eventually receive a gift with a multi-million dollar value.” March 1, 2008 • Foundations: News from the UMass Amherst Foundation | |
 | Saturday, April 5, 2008, 6:30 p.m., W.E.B. Du Bois Library, Learning Commons. The event features talks by three notable speakers— author Carole O’Malley Gaunt, filmmaker Edward Klekowski, and author Jane Yolen, a champagne and hors d’oeuvre reception with the Kurian/Nix duo, and a gourmet dinner. February 26, 2008 | |
 | The UMass Amherst Libraries hosts the 14th Annual Du Bois Lecture, “W.E.B. Du Bois and Ralph Ellison” by Arnold Rampersad, Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the Lower Level, Du Bois Library, UMass Amherst. The event, sponsored by the UMass Amherst Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives Department, is free and open to the public. The Library marks Du Bois' birthday each year with a lecture by a distinguished scholar on a topic relating to Du Bois' life and legacy. February 7, 2008 | |
 | The UMass Amherst Libraries will host: “A World of Cities,” an exhibition of prints, drawings and photographs from the permanent collection of the University Gallery, from January 31, 2008, to March 30, 2008 on the Lower Level of Du Bois Library. “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. An opening reception will be held on February 12, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. The reception is open to the public and refreshments will be served. January 23, 2008 | |
| At the start of spring semester, beginning January 27, 2008, users of the Du Bois Library will need a UMass Amherst UCard to enter the building between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., Mondays through Fridays. January 15, 2008 | |
 | The 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. 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. January 8, 2008 | |
Last Edited: 3 March 2009
