• How many libraries are there in the UCLA Library System?
• How do I find out more information about each library?

• What is the Powell Library?
• What is the difference between the College Library & the Young Research Library?
• Where can I get a library card? How many books can I check out at one time?
• Can I check out magazines and journals?
• How do I find class reserves?
• When should I come to the reference desk?
• How else can I get research help?
• Where can I check my email? Type a paper?

• How do I use the computer to find books at UCLA?
• How do I use the computer to find articles by topic at UCLA?
• How do I use online resources from home?
• What if I use DSL or an internet service provider other than Bruin OnLine?

How many libraries are there in the UCLA Library System?

The UCLA Library is comprised of 12 libraries geared towards the teaching and research needs of its students and faculty.

How do I find out more information about each library?

There is a link for the individual libraries on the UCLA Library homepage. Go to the UCLA Individual Libraries & Archives web site for a description of each library.

What is the Powell Library?

Located in the center of campus, the Powell Library Building is home to the College Library, the College Library Computing Commons (CLICC), Night Powell, the Center for Experiential Education & Service Learning and the Film and Television Archives. Oftentimes, students confuse the name of the building with the name of the undergraduate library. The building is Powell, the library is College!

What is the difference between the College Library & the Young Research Library?

College Library is UCLA's undergraduate library. It contains instructional and supplementary materials, including classics and standard works needed by undergraduates in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and mathematics.
The magazines and journals to which we subscribe don't circulate, so they are typically available to students when they need them. Often, professors put course materials, previous exam samples, etc. on reserve. You can access them by going to the Reserves database.
The College Library provides an ideal starting place for lower division undergraduate research.
The Charles E Young Research Library has research-level collections in the humanities, social sciences, education, public policy and urban planning.

If you are unsure of where to begin, start at the College Library Reference Desk.

Where can I get a library card? How many books can I check out at one time?

Your BRUINCARD is your library card.
As a UCLA student, you can check out as many books as you like. In College Library, all books circulate for two weeks only. Check out books at the Circulation Desk.

Can I check out magazines and journals?

The College Library magazine and journal issues don't circulate. You may photocopy articles from them. They are located in the main reading room on the 2nd floor.

How do I find class reserves?

Use the ERES system to find material that your instructor has put on reserves. This material may include books, instructor notes, copies of journal articles, music and past exams. You can search for material for the current quarter by instructor name or department.

When should I come to the reference desk?

The staff at the reference desk are there to help you with your information needs. If you are doing a paper and don't know where to start, consult a reference librarian first. The librarian can point you to the best print or online source for you to get started. If the information isn't available in the College Library, we will refer you to the appropriate library on campus or elsewhere.

How else can I get research help?

Click on "Need help? Ask an Online Librarian" for links to live chat, e-mail, and telephone reference help. You can find this icon on many UCLA Library webpages. Look for an icon that looks like this:

Where can I check my email? Type a paper?

You can check your email at any one of the computing labs on campus. However, the CLICC lab, located in the Powell Building, is a state-of-the-art facility for UCLA undergraduates. They have a plethora of software available. They have the Eudora email client so that you can check your email and wordprocessing software for typing your papers.

How do I use the computer to find books at UCLA?

ORION2 is UCLA's online information system. You can search the catalog to locate books, journals, and other materials in the 12 UCLA libraries. If you don't know how to search ORION2, look at the "Find Books at UCLA" handout on College Library's Help Guides web page.

How do I use the computer to find articles by topic at UCLA?

The UCLA Library has a rich collection of electronic resources to help you locate articles on your topic. Try these websites to get started:

1. College Library's "Find Articles" web page
2. UCLA Library's Article Databases page

If you are unsure of where to begin, consult staff at the reference desk.

How do I use online resources from home?

You may dial in using Bruin OnLine software. When you use the Bruin OnLine software, the UCLA server recognizes you as an authorized user. The Bruin OnLine system provides UCLA students, faculty, and staff with dial-up and Ethernet access to e-mail, campus network services, and the World Wide Web. You will need a Bruin Online id. Go to the Bruin OnLine homepage (http://www.bol.ucla.edu) for instructions.

What if I use DSL or an internet service provider other than Bruin OnLine?

If you have DSL or dial in using another internet service provider you will need to configure your computer to use the BOL Proxy Server. Currently, the BOL proxy server is open to all students, faculty, and staff members who have a Bruin OnLine account. The proxy server will require you to provide your Bruin OnLine username and password before allowing you access to any http (web), ftp, telnet, or news services. Go to the the BOL Proxy Server page (http://www.bol.ucla.edu/services/proxy/) for instructions.