Information for Undergraduate Students

[Graduate Students: see Information for Graduate Students and Graduate Student Instructors
Users with Disabilities: see also Library guide to Disability Resources ]

Welcome to the Library

Welcome to UC Berkeley, home to one of the finest research libraries in the country. The Library includes more than twenty campus libraries (hours, location, contact information) which serve a variety of academic disciplines in the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, and international and area studies. The collections of the UC Berkeley Library include over 10 million items: books, journals, maps, photographs, video, sound recordings, etc. The Library offers an array of electronic resources that, along with the print material, comprise the collections of this campus.

Borrowing and Renewing Library Materials

For UCB students, your Cal 1 Card is your library card. Unregistered students, students from other UC campuses, and visitors should visit the Library Privileges Desk (first floor Doe Library; 510-642-3403) to ask about borrowing policies that apply to their situation.

Use the library catalogs -- OskiCat (UC Berkeley), NextGen Melvyl Pilot (all UC campuses and worldwide) and Current Melvyl (all UC campuses) -- to search for all types of items in the library collections. When an item is checked out, the due date is stamped in the back of the material and indicates the length of the loan period (varies by library). This date is also reflected in the item's catalog record. The date remains in effect as long as no other borrower needs the item. You may recall materials checked out to someone else, and have materials you've borrowed recalled by another. Materials that are not currently needed by someone else can be renewed via OskiCat (use Renew Items tab, or renew in person at any library circulation desk). All materials must be returned to the library from which they were checked out. They should be returned to its circulation desk during hours it is open, and to the outdoor book return when it is closed.

Email is the Library's means of communication with you regarding your account. Borrowers must keep a current email address on file with the Library. This can can be done via the MyOskiCat feature of the UCB catalog (or in person at any library circulation desk). For more information about borrowing, see the guide to borrowing privileges and responsibilities.

Recalls, Holds, and Searches

With such heavily-used collections, there may be times when needed materials are checked out. Items in the UCB collections for which there is not an available copy, can be recalled. Use the Request feature in an item's OskiCat record to place a recall (or recall it in person at a library circulation desk). The person to whom the item is loaned will be notified that someone else needs it, and is generally given a week for its return. You will be notified by e-mail when the item is available and being held for you. If more than one person recalls the same item, requests will be handled in the order received. If an item is recalled from you, you must return it by the newly assigned due date.

You may initiate a search for an item that is not checked out and not in its call number location on the library shelf. Searches must be placed at the circulation desk of the library that houses the missing item. When searched items are found, they become a hold for you. You will be notified of the hold via email.

Course Reserves

Faculty may select materials to place on reserve for students enrolled in a specific course (details). Reserve items circulate for a short period of time in order to allow greater access to their use (use may be limited to UCB students, faculty & staff). To search for Library reserves, use OskiCat's Course Reserves tab. For articles and other online materials that support a specific course in which you are enrolled, see your course bSpace site.

Off-Campus Materials & Interlibrary Borrowing

NRLF, the Northern Regional Library Facility, is an off-site storage facility for the northern UC campuses, housing less frequently used materials. Most can be returned to campus for borrowing. Use OskiCat's Request feature to initiate this process (all students with borrowing privileges).

To borrow materials that are not in the Berkeley Library, but are at another UC campus, use the NextGen Melvyl Pilot or Current Melvyl catalogs' Request feature (UC students only).

For materials not available in the UC library system, many other library catalogs, such as WorldCat, list materials that can be requested via the Interlibrary Loan service (currently enrolled UCB students; Interlibrary Borrowing forms).

Study Areas

Individual carrels and group study spaces are available throughout the Library. Some locations offer Ethernet and/or wireless access to the Internet, while other locations are designated for quiet study. For details about a specific library, visit its web site and review information about that facility (see also the study space web page for Doe, Moffitt and Gardner Stacks).

In the Gardner (Main) Stacks there are 17 group study rooms available for check out (UCB students, faculty, staff). Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance (AirBears connection and blackboard available). For other campus study areas and lounges, see the related entry in the UCB Student Handbook.

Copying and Printing

Campus libraries provide a variety of copying and printing services. Self-service machinery is located throughout the campus libraries; additionally, there are several staffed copy service centers. UCB students are eligible to purchase discount copy cards at one of these centers. For more information about copying or printing, visit either the self-service or the full-service web pages regarding these functions. Additional options regarding printing, scanning, and computer-related support, are outlined in this guide's section on computers in the Library.

Computers in the Library

Computers with access to library resources and the Internet are available throughout the campus libraries. To print from them you will need a copy card, which can be purchased in many library locations. The campus wireless service, AirBears, is available in the Library to those with a CalNet ID. Wireless cards are available for one-day checkout at the Moffitt Library Circulation Desk and the Public Health Library. The Library does not provide access to word processing software. However, standard desktop software is available in campus computer labs (along with scanners and printing alternatives) such as the Moffitt Microcomputer Facility. The guide to Computers in the Libraries provides greater detail and links to computing services and policies.

Off-Campus Access to Online Resources

Students with a current CalNet ID can connect to online Library resources from off campus. Read the guides to Connecting from Off Campus and the Database Conditions of Use for information regarding use and setup procedures.

Research Help, Tours & Orientations

The Library staff regularly assists students with locating material on a topic and navigating the online and print collections of the Library system. Help is available in a variety of formats -- in-person, chat, e-mail, and phone reference. To learn more about these services and their hours, visit the Library's research help page.

The Research Advisory Service offers one-on-one personalized guidance for UCB undergraduates who are writing term papers or are engaged in research projects for their humanities, social sciences, or international and area studies classes. During peak periods of the semester, undergraduates may sign up for a half-hour appointment with a reference specialist.

To get familiar with specific libraries and library research tools, consider taking a library tour, orientation or workshop.

Library Prize

UCB students in all disciplines may apply for the Library Prize for Undergraduate Research. The award recognizes excellence in research projects that evidence significant inquiry using the Library and its resources, and/or evidences significant learning about the research and information-gathering process.

Student Jobs at the Library

There are a variety of student jobs in the UCB libraries. The Library employs students year round (with or without previous library experience). For more information about employment and current job listings, visit the Library's student employment site -- the most current job postings are on the bulletin board outside rm. 110 Doe Library.

Policies for Library Users

The Library Code of Conduct and Library Computer Use Policy detail standards for Library use intended to create a safe and pleasant research environment for all Library patrons.

The Library is responsible for safeguarding the confidentiality of a borrower's transactions, as mandated by the California Information Practices Act of 1977. Please see the Library's Privacy Policies for more information.

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