FAQs: Research Assistance Getting started with research Finding books Finding articles Finding resources by subject Finding maps Finding government information Wireless or open port access to the Library network Accessing library resources from on-campus outside the library Accessing library resources from off campus (proxy server & vpn) Using EndNote bibliographic database software with library databases Finding manuscripts, archives, and special collections See also: FAQs: General Information FAQs: Borrowing/Circulation Services

Getting started with research Librarians and staff are available to answer your questions. Stop by our service desks to request help, or use the other service options listed below.     Ask a Librarian - email reference service     Help by Subject - research tools and resources     Librarian Subject Specialists     Interdisciplinary 1: Introduction to Library Research - Int 1 is a one credit hour, pass/no pass course designed to teach the nature of research and the role of the library in the research process     Research Tutorial     Help with Citing Resources

Finding Books PEGASUS is the online catalog of the UCSB Libraries. It lists all of the Library's books, journals, newspapers, electronic resources, and other materials. PEGASUS gives detailed information about each item, including its call number, where it is located in the building, what its circulation status is, whether it's on Reserve, and so forth. MELVYL is the combined online catalog of the more than 100 libraries at all ten UC campuses.     PEGASUS Help     Using Pegasus (tutorial)     MELVYL Help     Search worldwide library catalogs through WorldCat

Finding Articles Use an index or database to identify and locate articles in journals, newspapers, magazines, conference proceedings, and other serial publications. One of the more general of these databases, Expanded Academic ASAP, covers journal and magazine articles in all subjects and is a good place to start. Other databases cover specific topics in more detail.     Indexes and Databases - comprehensive list of online databases at the UCSB Libraries     Help by Subject - choose a subject to see recommended databases for that subject     Finding Articles (tutorial) - brief lesson in out to find articles

Finding resources by subject To find books, articles, videos, and other materials by subject, start with:     Help by Subject - research tools and resources     Librarian Subject Specialists

Finding maps     Map and Imagery Library - Collections of maps, aerial photography, satellite imagery and other spatial data     Alexandria Digital Library     Library Floor Maps     UCSB Campus Maps     Locate individual maps through PEGASUS

Finding government information     Government Information Center - The library collects publications and information from various government entities     Government Subject Guides

Wireless or laptop port access to the library network The Library offers wireless access in a number of areas, including throughout most of the 1st and 4th floors, on the 2nd floor near the SEL computing area and around EGSL, the 24 hour study room, the Graduate Study Lounge on the 8th floor, and throughout the Arts Library. In addition to the wireless network, laptop port tables in the 24-hour study room and on the south side of the 4th floor allow you to plug your laptop directly into our network. To use either the laptop ports or the wireless network, you must be a current UCSB student or employee. Note: During peak use times such as midterms and finals you might have problems with our wireless network. This is due to the fact that so many people are using it all at the same time. You might want to use one of the library's workstations if you have problems.     Wireless Network Instructions     Laptop Port Network Instructions     Laptop Network Printing

Accessing library resources on-campus outside the library If you are using a computer that is in an office or lab, or one connected to Resnet, you should be able to access library resources just as if you were in the library. However, we have found that some software changes your IP address and may prevent you from accessing the resources. We recommend that you do the following:     Log off of secondary Internet providers such as AOL, CompuServe or MSN     Log out of instant messengers     Turn off web accelerator programs     Turn off web anoymizer programs     Having Difficulties Accessing Research Databases?

Accessing library resources from off campus (proxy server & vpn) Access to nearly all of our electronic databases and journals is restricted to UCSB students, faculty, and staff. To access these resources from off campus, use one of the methods below for validating yourself as a current UCSB user.     Off-Campus Access Instructions     Proxy Server Instructions     VPN (Virtual Private Network) Instructions     Having Difficulties Accessing Research Databases?

Using EndNote bibliographic database software with library databases There are two different versions of Endnote -- the web version and the desktop version. All UCSB-affiliated users have access to Endnote Web through our library subscription. If you wish to use the desktop version, you will need to purchase a copy for your personal computer. Using Endnote with Library Databases Connect to Endnote Web

Finding manuscripts, archives, and special collections     Special Collections Department     Archives and Primary Sources     Research Collections of the National Archives     California State Archives Authors: Sherry DeDecker and Jane Faulkner University of California Santa Barbara Libraries Please send comments to: Web Manager Last Updated: 09/18/08 09:41:01