Results of Ongoing Count!

New! Under the count survey link you will find the link to the ongoing results!

Public Access Ongoing Count Results

RIP J.D. Salinger 1919-2010

J.D. Salinger, author of 1951's "The Catcher in the Rye," which became a touchstone for generations of readers, has died at the age of 91. Salinger wrote more than 30 stories, a handful of which were published in the New Yorker. However, his fame rests on "Catcher" alone, his only novel. Famously reclusive, Salinger had an uncompromising desire to protect his privacy. He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and two children. If you have never read "The Catcher in the Rye" it is highly recommened you check it out!

Important Update

There have been reports about email from UMass addresses being delivered to the GMail Spam folder. Students who use Google Apps, and staff who forward their UMail to GMail should check their spam folder frequently. I checked, and had more then 30 messages from the last three days in my spam folder.

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OIT Help Desk is aware of the problem and is working with Google support to rectify the problem.

Nourish your inner geek....

Want to learn more about technology? The library has a great resource available for learning about technology, software and web 2.0 features. It is called Atomic Learning (link here)and it can be readily accessed through the LC webpage.
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Apart from this, there is an external web resource @ http://www.good-tutorials.com. This resource provides great user-rated info and demonstrations about digital media software such as Photoshop.
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Beyond the LC desk, tech skills are a highly marketable asset when hunting for that great job. When you get a chance, check both out and let Dan know what you think.

All those in favor of Apple's latest new trick, say "i"!

Find out what the buzz about the new Apple iPad is:




Apple iPad Promises Media Revolution

The iPad is better (at some things)!

10 things the iPad doesn't have

Apple iPad - a heat seeking missile aimed at e-books

W-2's????

If you haven't received your W'2 yet, please ask a supervisor as soon as possible. Since off shoring income no longer works, you'll probably need it to pay Uncle Sam and avoid prosecution.

Happy Birthday Lewis Carroll!!!

Creator of Alice and Wonderland, born on this day in 1832.

Eye Contact = Good Customer Service

With the design of the new desk, it is easy to miss a patron walking up if our eyes are glued to the computer monitor. Please be aware of approaching patrons, and be ready to address their needs at all times. We strive to provide excellent service at this desk, and being ready to engage the patron right away is a hallmark of this. Please keep up the good work.

Wrtiting Center Opens Today!!

The Writing Center opens today for the Spring Semester. It is located in the new north end of the LC. If people have questions about this important service, a good place to start is the website:
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www.umass.edu/writingcenter
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Students can make appointments there and find out more info about what is offered.

Save the Date!!!

On Monday February 8th at 2pm, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony unveiling the new and improved LC. You are all invited and encouraged to attend. More details to follow as the event approaches....

Punching in n' out....

Please remember to swipe in and out at the beginning and end of your shifts. Timekeeping accuracy is important- especially on payday.

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If you suspect the swipe didn't go through or if there is ever a discrepancy in your paycheck, see a supervisor as soon as possible.

Back up your social networking stuff!

Article as seen on Lifehacker

If you are using services such as Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, or Flickr,
you may be interested to know that backupify is offering free accounts through the end of January after which point there will be a nominal fee required (if you sign up after Jan. 31st - sign up beforehand and it remains free).

Who is this mystery woman?

In case you've been wondering who this lady is that's been wandering around the Learning Commons for the last week....

Hi - I'm Sarah!

I'm the new Head of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Services. You will frequently find me roaming around the LC and throughout the library (particularly during my first few weeks here). I typically work during the day (1st shift), but will also be intermittently working the 2nd and 3rd shifts as well. Please feel free to ask me any questions as I'm cruising by - I'm certain to be asking you all a few!

First Tweet From Space: 'Hello Twitterverse!'
By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek
January 22, 2010 01:45 PM

Astronaut aboard ISS is first to post an extraterrestrial message directly to the micro-blogging service.

First it was Bill Gates, now astronauts are the latest high-achievers to discover the power of Twitter this week.

Flight engineer T.J. Creamer, of NASA Expedition 22 aboard the International Space Station, posted a tweet at approximately 3:38 a.m. EST Friday. It was the first ever to be posted directly to Twitter from somewhere other than planet Earth....more

Facebook Breaks Ground On Oregon Data Center

Facebook has started construction on its first custom data center, a 147,000-square-foot facility in Oregon with an estimated to cost $188.2 million.

The facility, which is expected to be completed in 2011, is being built in Prineville, Ore. Facebook and local officials broke ground on the center during a ceremony on Thursday.... more

Save Conan!!!!

Using Gmail to post a shift???

When posting a shift to the student listserv, please use your UMail address. Otherwise, the email you send will be automatically discarded because the address is not recognized, and no one will receive your message.

Also, if you decide to pick up a shift that is posted to the listserv, you cannot just reply to the individual who posted the shift; you must also cc the listserv so that everyone will know when the shift has been taken. Please note that if you fail to do so and someone else picks up the shift later, he/she will then be entitled to work the shift.

If anyone has any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact a supervisor. Thank you.

Payday!!!

Today is payday. However, since regular working hours began this week, most returning student workers will not get their first check until the next one is issued on Friday Feb.5th.

For those who just joined our team this semester, paychecks are issued every other week, and encompass two weeks worth of work. If there is ever a question about your paycheck, such as number of hours worked, please see a supervisor.

Happy Birthday David Lynch!!!!

Bring back Twin Peaks!!!!

One, Two, Three, ah ah ah.

On Monday at 12:30 AM, we will begin keeping a COUNT of all people standing in line for the public computers.

There is a link on the top left of this web page titled "COUNT OF THE LINE OF PEOPLE WAITING FOR PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS".

At the bottom (ex 7:30) of every hour, please click on this link and enter the number of people in line. Easy enough, right?

Not only is this an simple way to gauge the demand for library services, but it will help decision makers in determining future plans of the LC. Thank you for your continued great efforts.

MISSED??

Just a quick reminder that a survey cannot be missed. The only way to calculate the stats properly is to have a complete profile with a successful count every time. If you have difficulty completing the survey, please get a supervisor to assist you. Thank you for your great efforts thus far during this busy time.

Tax time!!!

Your W-2's are ready for pickup. They will be distributed as you work, and on Friday when paychecks are ready. Don't pull a Wesley Snipes unless you want to work the Tech Desk in the Prison Library.

Don't miss the new and improved document,
"Learning Commons Student Responsibilities"
which is required reading for all LC desk student staff.

Study it! Learn it! Know it!

Good luck this semester with your classes and as an employee at the desk!

Welcome Back to the New & Improved LC!!!

We hope you had a restful and enjoyable intersession break. There have been some big changes to the LC while you have been away. Here is some important information needed to make this first week successful.

1) There is a whole new layout to the LC. Take a few minutes to walk around and ask a lot of questions. In addition to the new layout, there is a new organization to the printing process and new computers capable of multimedia. We will undoubtedly get many questions about the new changes and we all need to be well versed in the new landscape of our workspace.

2) We are starting the first survey of the semester during the opening week. Coupled with the crowds and the changes in layout, this will be difficult. However, it is important that we get as accurate a count as possible. If you have any questions, ask a supervisor. You may be asked to accompany a supervisor on the first counting sweep you do.

3) All student workers will go through a orientation regarding LC desk policies and procedures. It will give everyone involved a chance to emphasize what is most important as we continue to provide quality services to this hub of campus.

Best of luck for another great semester!!! Your great help is essential as the LC continues to develop as the central service point on this campus.