Electronic Resource Finder
The most important research section of the library web site is the Library Electronic Resource Finder. This is the library directory of databases and other information resources, organized by subject (e.g. political science) type (e.g. encyclopedias) as well as other categories. It also contains a link to a comprehensive listing of library e-journals.
Background Info
Here are some sample sources to get background country information for your topic. Many more are available in the Doe Library North Reading room. Go to Oskicat, do a search by country or Continent and select "Doe Reference" as the location from the pull-down menu on the right.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Country Reports and Profiles. Indexes studies that provide analysis and forecasts of the political, economic, and business environments in more than 180 countries. Annual profiles are updated by quarterly reports.
Europa World. Excellent source for concise economic, social and political background information on individual countries.
Human Development Report Library. The web site includes the UNDP flagship publication the Human Development Report, as well as national human development reports from over 250 countries and regions
Library of Congress Country Studies. Description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of countries throughout the world.
Catalogs & Search Engines
Find a book that matches your topic and go to the call number range to browse. Check the references and bibliography.
Google Scholar. Functions as both a key word database for articles and books. It automatically connects you to licensed content held by the UC libraries. Search this source before all others.
Oskicat. UC Berkeley libraries catalog. Includes records for most UCB library materials, including books, e-books, journal and e-journal titles, films and videos, maps, archival materials, and much more. See also the Quick Guide to Oskicat and Oskicat Tutorial.
Next Generation Melvyl. Catalog for all UC Campus libraries, including selected libraries on campus not in Oskicat, e.g. the Boalt Law Library. Advantages of the Next Generation Melvyl include faceted (categorized) browsing, incorporation of selected journal articles, and access to WorldCat, a union catalog of libraries around the world.
Connecting from Off Campus
You can access UCB Library resources from off campus or via your laptop or other mobile device using one of two simple methods:
Proxy Server
After you make a one-time change in your web browser settings, the proxy server will ask you to log in with a CalNet ID or Library PIN when you click on the link to a licensed resource. See the setup instructions, FAQ, and Troubleshooting pages to configure your browser.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
After you install and run the VPN "client" software on your computer, you can log in with a CalNet ID to establish a secure connection with the campus network.