Contact Corliss
- Corliss Lee
- Office Hours: By Appointment
- Contact Info:
510-768-7899
Read an introduction to the campus libraries for undergraduates.
Set up your computer for off campus access to library databases.
Need a map of the campus libraries?
Each library has its own hours. Click on the calendar for each library to view a month at a time.
1. Do you need background information on your topic? Try reference sources, for example:
Civilization of the ancient Mediterranean: Greece and Rome
DREF DE59.C55 1988
A Companion to Greek Studies
DREF DF77.W5 1931
Brill's New Pauly: encyclopaedia of the ancient world
DREF DE5.N4813 2006
oh heck, you can use this one online
Historical dictionary of modern Italy
DREF DG555.G53 2007
Encyclopedia of Anthropology
DREF GN11.E63 2006
Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology
DREF GN307.E52 1996
DREF = Doe Reference collection, 2nd floor Doe Library
Other online reference works relating to the Classics
set up your computer for off campus access to these databases
2. Think about keywords for your topic - as few as possible.
If you're not finding anything when searching, think broader terms (instead of A Modest Proposal, use Jonathan Swift; instead of Metamorphoses, use Ovid)
3. Think about which academic disciplines might write about your topic. Examples: literature, film, anthropology, history...
1. Find the appropriate article database by subject (academic discipline or department).
Library home > Articles > Article Databases by Subject
2. Searching:
Use Advanced Search if available
one word or phrase per horizontal row of search boxes
when appropriate, use truncation symbol for variant word endings (child* = child, childs, children, childish, childhood...)
use alternative terms when necessary (film or movie* or cinema*)
Examples:
Library home > Articles > Article Databases by Subject > Literature > MLA Bibliography (also good for film)
cannibal*
colonial*
cannibal*
horror
film* or movie* or cinema*
cannibal*
montaigne
select checkbox for "English only" if appropriate
MLA: The Movie! (1:18 min)
Library home > Articles > Article Databases by Subject > Film > Film and Television Literature Index
cannibal*
horror
3. Find the locations of articles - online or on the shelf
Some article databases include the full text of all or some of their articles.
If not, click on the UC e-links icon, which will lead to links to full text if available, or else a link to the Next Generation MELVYL catalog. Click on the MELVYL link to search for the library location of the journal.
Watch the UC e-links movie! (2 minutes)
To find books, DVDs, maps, sound recordings, manuscripts, and much more - everything except articles - use a library catalog.
OskiCat = most UC Berkeley libraries
MELVYL = all UC campus libraries, including all UC Berkeley libraries
What's the difference? more details here
For each item make sure you know the name of the physical library, call number, and whether or not it's checked out, library use only, etc.
Call numbers are on the spine of the book; learn how to read them so you can find what you need on the shelves.
If you want to use Google for research, use Google Books or Google Scholar.
Use the Advanced Search for more searching options.
Please note that Google Books search results do not necessarily include the full text of the book; some include no text at all, some include a limited preview (only some pages of the book).
When you use Google Scholar, make sure to update your Scholar Preferences (see below) so you'll be able to use UC e-links to find the UC Berkeley library locations/online availability of the articles.
Step 1: If you haven't already done this, set up your proxy server access by following the directions at http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu/. When you get to a point where you are accessing resources that the Library pays for, you will be prompted for your CalNet ID and password. For more help see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff/tutorials/proxy.html
Step 2: Change your “Scholar Preferences.” Access these by clicking on the small icon in the upper right of the screen.
Step 3: In search box next to "Library Links," type in University of California Berkeley and click on “Find Library”
Step 4: Check all the boxes next to "University of California Berkeley"
Step 5: Click on "Save Preferences" at bottom of page
Other ways to get help: in person, by e-mail, using specialized chat services
And of course: e-mail Corliss or email Theresa (Bancroft Library)
