Resources

Library Resources

As a student in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning (LARP) you will have access to an exceptional university library system. Support for your studies and research is provided through collections and services at two libraries. The 27-story W.E.B. DuBois Library, mainly an arts and humanities collection, also houses Government Documents, the Law Collection, Maps, Microforms, Course Reserves, Media, and Special Collections and Archives. Physical and natural sciences materials are found in the Integrated Science and Engineering Library located in the low-rise section of the Lederle Graduate Research Center.

The holdings of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries include more than 5.9 million books, documents, and microfilms. In addition, the Libraries subscribe to approximately 14,500 serial titles. Nearly 300 electronic subscription databases, which locate millions of citations and full-text articles, may be accessed at the Libraries or from any remote location.

Your University photo I.D. serves as a library card and allows for borrowing throughout the Five College Library system which include: Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, and Mt. Holyoke Colleges. The Interlibrary Loan provides service for students to borrow materials not owned by the Five Colleges free of charge.

The Learning Commons is an interactive area on the ground floor of the DuBois Library. Services offered include research and writing support, library services, technology help, as well as campus services in an environment that fosters informal, collaborative and creative work, and social interaction. A café is located in the Library lobby. Group Study Rooms are available at the Learning Commons. More information regarding specific services available can be found at the website: https://www.library.umass.edu/

Madeleine Charney (mcharney@library.umass.edu) is the Reference Librarian for the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. She is available by appointment and during drop-in sessions to provide one-on-one research consultations and classes on library research methods. She is knowledgeable in the numerous database resources and library materials available related to topics in our field. Of particular interest and value to students in our Department is the LARP Subject Research Guide, an online resource which serves as a starting point for library research: https://guides.library.umass.edu/landscape

Computers

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning has two computer labs with networked computers and a full suite of software including; Microsoft Office, Adobe CC, ArcGIS, AutoCAD and other rendering programs. The computer labs are connected to a black and white printer, a color printer, scanner, and a high-speed plotter. The labs are open to all students in the department during the day with UMass ID card access available for evening and weekend use.
Wireless Internet is available throughout the campus.

There are eleven computers classrooms (both PC and Mac) throughout the University campus run by the Office of Information Technologies. Each classroom has either a black and white or color printer available for Pay-for-Prints. We also share a GIS Lab with Geosciences, Forestry and Wildlife Management. The University’s Information Technology office oversees 11 PC and Mac computer classrooms across campus. Each classroom has either a black and white or color printer available via the Pay-for-Prints program. The Department also shares a GIS Lab with Geosciences, Forestry and Wildlife Management.

Technology Expectations for Incoming Students

Incoming students in the Landscape Architecture Program are required to have a laptop computer. 

Students are expected to have access to their NetID & UMass computer account. This provides e-mail and Internet access from any computer with a direct (Ethernet) connection or a wireless connection to the University network. Information regarding UMass e-mail accounts can be found at http://www.umass.edu/it/.

Lecture Series

The Zube Lecture Series is an invaluable supplement to the Departmental curriculum. This weekly lecture series brings local, regional, and national experts to campus Thursday afternoons during the fall and spring semesters. Speakers present their professional creative work or research or discuss current trends in the professions of design and planning. The lecture series occasionally features the work of student groups, faculty, and guest faculty.

Other departments and programs on campus also sponsor lectures and workshops of potential interest to our students. The Department keeps students informed of these enrichment opportunities through email and postings throughout the building.