Get to Know Your Library: Tips for New and Returning Aggies
Happy first day of fall quarter classes, Aggies! This is an exciting, busy time with lots of new experiences, activities, and of course, classes. It’s also the perfect time to learn how the library can help you with assignments, research projects and more. Here are 8 tips for getting to know the UC Davis Library:
1. Step into Shields Library
Visit Shields Library and familiarize yourself with our space — including new exhibits from Archives and Special Collections, photography celebrating California’s farm labor movement, and our beautiful courtyard — as well as study zones (collaboration, quiet conversation, silent) and reservable group study rooms.
- Check this out: Use our library floor maps to find your favorite new study spot.
2. Follow our Events Calendar and Social Channels
We offer a variety of student workshops, exhibits and events. Visit our events calendar and social media channels (Instagram: @ucdavislibrary) to find out what’s happening next.
- Check this out: Write a Postcard Home event on October 1 and Make a Zine workshop on October 14
3. Bookmark ‘Getting Started’
Bookmark our Getting Started webpage before you start your first research assignment. It’s a great overview of core library tools, how to connect with our digital resources, and tips for citations and writing.
- Check this out: Learn how to use UC Library Search, the single online library catalog for the UC system.
4. Ask Us: Welcome Desk and Librarians
Stop by our student-run Welcome Desk, located in the lobby of Shields Library, to get directions or information about library services.
Our librarians are also here to help you with research assignments and more!
- Check this out: Use our Schedule a Consultation tool to find librarians with expertise in your study area, or use our Directory.
5. Dig into a Research Guide
We offer librarian-curated research guides in every UC Davis academic subject area — one-stop summaries of reference materials, books, journal articles, databases, statistics, and historical and primary sources. Jumpstart your research process with a research guide!
- Check this out: We also offer course guides (which you’ll learn about from your instructors, if available).
6. Take Advantage of Tutoring
Get help with assignments with drop-in-tutoring offered by the Academic Assistance and Tutoring Center, located on the lower level of Shields Library, in partnership with Student Affairs.
- Check this out: AATC offers drop-in tutoring at Shields Library for biology, chemistry, economics, math, physics, statistics and writing.
7. Find Wellness Support
New to the library is a Campus Student Resource Center Hub literature rack, located in the lobby near the Circulation Desk. Learn about resources and campus units that can support your academic success and well-being.
The Wellness Info Desk is also back this fall. The desk is staffed on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm by Aggie Mental Health Ambassadors, who can help you connect with campus resources to support wellness and well-being.
- Check this out: Much loved campus K-9 team members Princess Leia and Cali have been known to drop by the Wellness Info Desk on occasion — keep an eye out!
8. Read, Listen, Cook
As an Aggie, you get free online access to e-books on mobile devices, music and documentary films, hundreds of cookbooks and recipes, and more through the library’s licensed subscriptions.
- Check this out: Learn how to connect and access these resources from off campus.