Monthly Archives: December 2008

DRAFT for review Learning Commons Mission

DRAFT for review Learning Commons Mission

In support of UMass Dartmouth’s academic mission, the Learning Commons creates and cultivates a vibrant, welcoming and integrated learner-centered environment.

We will do so by promoting an environment and support team that

  • inspires learners and fosters learning as an activity
  • embodies and supports engagement & collaboration for individual & group work
  • champions and supports the research process from search and discovery to synthesis and presentation.
  • provides easily accessible and adaptable physical spaces and resources
  • excels at providing rich technological facilities, instruction, and support
  • maximizes individual and group productivity by integrating scholarly information support services and information literacy instruction

Learning Commons – Committee Charge

The UMass Dartmouth Learning Commons (LC) Planning Committee will develop plans for the services, technology, resources, and space for the LC on the first and second floors of the Claire T. Carney Library. The LC will be an interdisciplinary collaborative learning space that will provide seamless access to resources, technology, and people to support teaching, learning, and research. The LC will advance the University mission to be “actively engaged in personalized teaching and innovative research” and will help to fulfill the University’s vision of “providing a personalized academic environment where the scholarly research and creative activities of faculty and graduate students are interwoven with the undergraduate experience.” It will also advance the vision of providing “enhanced technological capabilities for the delivery of our educational and outreach programs.” As an integrated environment that fosters engagement, collaboration, and discovery, the LC will meet the changing and emerging needs of teaching, learning, and scholarship at UMass Dartmouth.

The Committee will consider the following questions:

  • What are the learning styles and preferences of today’s high school and college students and faculty?
  • What type of environment will foster learning at UMass Dartmouth, given changing learning styles and preferences?
  • What staffing, technology, and space are necessary to create this environment?
  • What LC programs would foster this environment?
  • Should the scope of the LC include faculty and staff learning?
  • Which campus units might be involved, and how might they work together?
  • Is it necessary for these campus units to be physically located in the same space to be effective together?
  • What kinds of hardware, software, and seating configurations are needed?
  • What staffing is needed in terms of qualification, and abilities?
  • What are the issues in accomplishing the ideal LC environment for UMass Dartmouth?
  • How can these issues be resolved?
  • How should we measure the LC’s success?

National African American Read-In Book Discussions

In honor of the National African American Read-In, the Library is hosting two book discussions in the Browsing Area:

  • Feb 13 (Noon – 1PM) Octavia Butler, “Parable of the Sower”
  • Feb 20 (1-2PM) Maya Angelou, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”

For more information or to RSVP for a session contact Kari Mofford.

We also have an exhibit on the 4th Floor of books from the recommended reading list that can be checked out. It is located across from the elevator next to the windows. Check it out before break!

On Darwin and the Darwinian Mechanism of Natural Selection — A Faculty Senate/Carney Library Brown Bag Lecture

Darwin Book - Title PageDate: Wednesday, 12/10/2008
Time: 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM
Location: Library Browsing Area


On Darwin and the Darwinian Mechanism of Natural Selection
A Faculty Senate/Carney Library Brown Bag Lecture

Dr. Guillermo Paz-y-Mino C from the Department of Biology will present “On Darwin and the Darwinian Mechanism of Natural Selection.” Since the publication of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, in 1859, Darwinian evolution has been scrutinized experimentally; today Darwinism is accepted by the scientific community. Dr.Paz-y-Mino C. will discuss the scientific significance of Darwinism, the marvelous simplicity of the mechanism of natural selection as driving force of evolution, and the need to advocate for science literacy, particularly the theory of evolution.

Claire T. Carney Library Holiday Gift-Giving Program “Family-to-Family”

“Claire T. Carney Library is hosting a holiday gift-giving program,”Family-to-Family,” for the Cape Cod Department of Children and Family.

Please come to the Library and take the name of a needy child from the holiday tree at the Circulation Desk.

Purchase and wrap the gifts and bring them to the Library by Wednesday, December 17 and they will be delivered to the child for the holiday.

Thank you for your generosity!”

Dr. Sharon Weiner
Dean of Library Services
X8664
sweiner@umassd.edu