New exhibit in the LC features artifacts from the Great War!

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 at UMass Amherst.

The exhibit includes artifacts found in the St. Mihiel Salient and the Argonne in France, where the forests are still littered with relics from the war years. It is illegal to dig for artifacts in France, but they can be collected if on the surface, as these were.

The artifacts range from a canteen to bullets, shells, and a sword bayonet, among other items. 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.

New Feature: Stapler Table!

As of today, a new table has been installed next to the color printer across from the LC Desk. It will house two standard staplers, a heavy duty stapler, and the large three hole punch which were formerly on the corner of the LC Desk. An electric pencil sharpener will be added soon.

Please try to check the table when on your roves.

This will probably offset some of the traffic at the desk, although you may get questions regarding the new location more frequently in the short term.

Lastly, please offer any suggestions in the comments area for a catchy name. Bonus points for irony, clean humor or aliteration.

Mind the Art!

Please try to keep the exhibit cases clean. A simple glass cleaner and paper towel works perfectly!!

STOP THE PRESSES!!

Stop the printing presses anyway... This is a just a simple reminder that both the Library's color printer by the Reference Desk and color copier across from the LC desk use a different paper then the black and white printers and copiers. Please refer to the list below for specific information on paper usage and capability.

The Library's color printer & copier use 24Lb. white laser print paper only. This paper is found in the bin attached to the Color Copier. PAPER SIZES: 8.5" x 11" and 11" x 17"

The Library's black & white printers use 20Lb. general purpose white paper. This Paper is found under the LC Desk. PAPER SIZES: just 8.5" x 11"

The black and white copiers also use 20Lb. general purpose white paper. This paper is found under the LC Desk. PAPER SIZES: 8.5" x 11" and 8.5" x 14"

Spring Break!!!!!!!!

Have an enjoyable and safe spring break! While some of you have graciously agreed to work next week, we look forward to seeing everyone return to normal shift rotation beginning on Sunday March 22nd!

Quick Look-up Workstations

New on Entrance and stack floors:

Systems has now installed catalog and quick look-up workstations on the Entrance Level (2) and on stack floors (2, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23). These workstations just have a web browser and are intended for users to look up call numbers in the catalog - although they can get to other sites such as UMail. These workstations do not have a printing capability. Faculty and graduate students have suggested such stations through the LibQUAL+ survey and the Suggestion Box at the General Information Desk. Alt+F4 will re-boot one of these workstations.

Wireless update!!

Wireless access is now available from the ground level through floor 5. There is also access on the 13th floor. Keep checking back for future updates regarding wireless access coming later this spring.

Atomic Learning is here!!

The University has purchased access to Atomic Learning for this semester—from now to May 31, 2008—to test its usefulness to our instructors, students, and staff.

Atomic Learning provides training on over 110 of the most commonly used software applications, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop and many more for either the Mac or PC platform. Atomic Learning delivers a library of thousands of short, easy-to-view-and-understand tutorial movies.

How to access Atomic Learning:

OIT and Library staff have worked with Atomic Learning to allow both on and off campus access from all UMass Amherst students, staff and instructors.

When on campus [or dialing in to campus with a modem] using UMass Amherst internet access:

The standard url for connecting is -- http://www.atomiclearning.com/highed

When off campus using other internet
access:http://silk.library.umass.edu:2048/login/atomiclearning

You will be prompted for your UMass NetID and password, then after a brief redirect which happens automatically and should take only a few seconds you should be at Atomic Learning’s home page for the University of Massachusetts.

Questions:

See Atomic Learning’s support page for the Atomic Toolkit and getting started tutorials.Atomic Learning will field questions from end-users on using Atomic Learning and troubles with Atomic Learning, via online form, email and phone support (9 am to 6 pm EDT).

From their support page:Email us at cs@atomiclearning.com

During the pilot test of this resource, Atomic Learning will be the official support provider for this learning tool, but the Learning Commons and Technical Support Desk located on the Lower Level of the W. E. B. DuBois Library will also try to assist patrons with the software packages that we do support.

Feel free to try it out, and let a supervisor know what you think!