Research & Instruction Dept. (Reference)

If you have used databases through UGA Libraries recently, including Multi-Search, you may have noticed something different. 

In several databases, we now have a UGA Access button. This button can connect you to full-text or print versions of articles, books, or other resources, when available. If no resource is available, you can also use the button to request a PDF or a physical copy from another library. Libraries calls this kind of button a link resolver. But jargon aside, think of it as a second option to check in case full-text is not directly provided by a database. 

A University of Georgia librarian has received a presidential citation from the Special Libraries Association for her service to the organization during a challenging 2020.

Sheila Devaney, a research and instruction librarian at the Main Library, was recognized as a part of the 2020 Annual Conference Advisory Council for the group’s shift to providing virtual educational content when the pandemic forced conference plans to change. The committee worked to provide sessions on timely topics, including social justice and library responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the UGA Libraries’ commitment to affordable access to learning materials, the Libraries recently ceased the collection of late fees from students who return overdue books.

“Overdue book fines are educational materials costs borne directly by our students. Those with the least ability to pay feel the effect of fines most keenly, as do graduate students who are particularly heavy users of the Libraries’ print collections,” said Toby Graham, associate provost and university librarian. “This step will save students about $25,000 per year.”

UGA students can earn more than an A by meeting with a librarian. They can also win some cash, thanks to the Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Awards.

With a top prize of $800, the awards provide an extra incentive for students to sign up for a free online research consultation with a librarian. Students are eligible to enter the contest for their work on any research project, including a policy paper, a scientific study, a music composition, a thesis, whether it is for a class or not.

All of the tools that students need to write dynamic papers and create innovative projects will be on display in a series of workshops from the University of Georgia Libraries.

In the Spring into Research workshop series, librarians and staff will lead virtual discussions on navigating library resources, from the latest online journals to historical material held in digital archives, as well as using citation management software and technologies available for data visualization, map-making, virtual reality, and more.

Before Fatoumata Toure entered kindergarten, she learned a hard lesson about the importance of fresh drinking water. Now as a college freshman, she has earned the top prize in the Capturing Science Contest, sponsored by the University of Georgia Libraries and the Office of Research, for making an informative and innovative video to explain the science behind the concerns.

Toure, a North Cobb High School graduate who intends to major in environmental engineering, received the top prize of $1,000, as well as a special bonus prize of $200 for this year’s contest for integrating research related to social justice in her piece.

Students and faculty in the University of Georgia community can continue to take advantage of library services after the Thanksgiving transition to online classes, whether in Athens or at home in another state.

In addition to online resources and virtual consultations with librarians and archivists, library facilities, including the Miller Learning Center, will remain available to students, faculty, staff, and the community through the remainder of the year and into the spring semester.

The UGA Libraries’ "Election 2020" guide provides a one-stop shop for information about the upcoming elections. The guide leads you to reliable sources for election news and fact checking; polling and campaign finance data; in-depth research projects; and dates for voting and debates.

On Wednesday, October 7 at 4pm, the UGA Libraries will co-host a panel with The Red & Black on conducting journalism during the pandemic. More details below: 

COVID-19 Fact-Finding: Journalism and Research during the Pandemic

A Virtual Conversation with The Red & Black

Hosted: By UGA Libraries

Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARSkGUt8eeE

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2020. 4:00pm - 5:00pm

UGA graduate students can meet their subject specialist librarian and learn more about resources and services that can aid in the academic journey through virtual orientation sessions offered this August.

UGA Libraries’ research and instruction librarians will conduct sessions via Zoom beginning Monday, Aug. 17. The one-hour orientations will introduce students to offerings, including citation managers, and teach how to search databases.