Librarian
Connect from Off-Campus
UCLA students, faculty, and staff can access these sites from off-campus using either the UCLA VPN Client or Bruin Online Proxy Server. If you need help setting up your computer, contact the UCLA IT Support Center at (310) 267-4357 or help@it.ucla.edu . They answer the phone 24/7 and are very helpful.
[NOTE: All campus wireless networks (eduroam, UCLA_WIFI, or UCLA_WEB) provide access to online subscription content. If you are using a Mac, you may need to use Chrome or Firefox, not Safari, to read some of the pdf material.]
How to Start Your Search
The Internet has brought a vast array of information to your desktop. The challenge for students is to identify the relevant sources, get to them easily, and critically evaluate their content. Some of the following websites are licensed for UC users only, others are open to all. Those that are licensed will not turn up in a Google search.
This guide will lead you to resources that can help you find material for your assignments. Remember that you can always ask a reference librarian for help.
The Library offers Research Workshops and has a number of online tutorials that you can use on your own.
The Los Angeles Public Library also has digital books and databases that UCLA does not subscribe to. If you are a Los Angeles resident, you can get an e-Card from LAPL without going into the library.
Other Resources
These resources and the information in the Literature Review Tips, Guidelines and Resources page will help you find material you can use for your research.
- UCLA Center for Oral History ResearchOral history interviews related primarily to the history of Southern California and the Los Angeles metropolitan region. Transcripts available in Library Special Collections (YRL). This website has great tips under the tab for Resources, such as Interviewing Guidelines.
- WI+RE Writing Instruction + Research EducationQuick and practical research and writing tutorials, collaboratively designed by students at UCLA. Includes links to workshops, tutorials and handouts.
- UCLA Library Data Science CenterThe DSC supports researchers throughout the full data life cycle of activities: planning research projects and data management plans; data acquisition, storage, cleaning, and usage; analysis; publication; curation; and preservation.
Other Research Guides that might be of interest.
Bibliographic management programs such as EndNote or Zotero help you organize your research. The following guides have more information about them.
Library Prize for Undergraduate Research
The Library Prize for Undergraduate Research recognizes and honors excellence in undergraduate research at UCLA. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best projects (group or individual) supported by UCLA Library resources.
Prize categories include the Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences, Sciences, as well as projects that incorporate resources from the UCLA Library Special Collections, the Music Library's contemporary music collections, and the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library. Watch for information for the 2024 Undergraduate Research Week next year.