Basic Introduction to the USC
Libraries There are 21 different libraries and collections at
USC: Some of the libraries have specific subject collections
while others are more general in nature. Doheny and Leavey Libraries have the
two most generalized collections. Doheny Library houses the main Arts &
Humanities collection, while Leavey has a general undergraduate collection,
which focuses on a wide variety of subject areas, at an undergraduate level.
There are also two computer labs in Leavey, called the Upper and Lower Commons,
and about 30 collaborative workrooms, used for group study. Grand Avenue Library
is an off campus storage facility where a large general collection of materials
is housed. There are limited visiting hours, but you can also request a book
from Grand through HOMER, the online catalog (see below). Library hours vary from library to library: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/hours/all_libraries/ Doing Academic Research at USC Library Catalog: HOMER (http://www.usc.edu/homer) is the USC
Libraries' online catalog. It can be used to find books, journal and magazine
titles, films and government documents that the USC Libraries own. It cannot be
used to find books USC does not own, articles in magazines or journals, or
chapters in books. To familiarize yourself with the online catalog, you can take
the basic HOMER online tutorial at: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/instruction/tutorials/. Call Numbers: Each book in the library has a unique
"address" by which you can find it on the bookshelf. This address is the call
number. USC Libraries use the Library of Congress Call Number system. The call
number is a series of letters and numbers, most of which are placed on the
spine, or side, of the book. An example of a call number is: BC1 C653. You find
the call number of a book in HOMER. To learn more about using call numbers to
find books, try this online tutorial: http://www.pitt.edu/~ford29/SatchLCall/BASIC/. Online Indexes or Databases: Resources that allow you to
search for periodical articles, from both scholarly journals as well as
newspapers and magazines. There are general databases that cover a wide variety
of subjects and subject specific databases that focus on one particular academic
subject area. To start, go to the Electronic Resources Page at: http://was.usc.edu/eresources/isd/.
You can choose on of the databases from the "Quicklinks" drop-down menu, or, to
choose a subject specific database, click on "Subject Listings." Many databases
have full-text access to articles, meaning that the full text will be available
online. If the full text is not available, you can use HOMER to see if USC has a
print version of the journal. Doing Academic Research: Research 101 (currently at: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/research101/ )
is an easy to use online tutorial covering the basics of doing research at an
academic institution. Reference Assistance: Doing research at an American
University can be confusing at first, but there are many ways to seek help. At
the Ask-A-Librarian page, http://www.usc.edu/askalibrarian/,
there is information about how to contact a librarian for help. You can do so in
person at many of the libraries, by phone, or you can even get help online by
submitting an email question, or using our online chat program. Please don't be
afraid to come and ask a librarian for help; we are here to make the research
process easier for you! Research Guides: http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/reference/research_guides/ Citation/Style Guides: As your professors will tell you,
when you use a book or an article from a magazine, newspaper or journal for your
paper, you must cite that research in your paper. To find out how to cite a
resource in MLA or APA format, use this online guide: http://dotsx.usc.edu/repository/read/book/26
. You can also learn how to use Refworks, an online citation manager: http://was.usc.edu/eresources/isd/gateways/10528.php. Computing and Technology
Information: Getting Started for students: http://www.usc.edu/its/new/students.html Computing account and email activation: http://www.usc.edu/firstlogin Computing account and email password change: http://www.usc.edu/isd/password Connecting to the USC network (includes remote, dorm, and
wireless): http://www.usc.edu/its/connect/ Email configuration options: http://www.usc.edu/its/doc/internet/email/ USC web email: http://email.usc.edu/ Software resources at USC: http://www.usc.edu/its/software/index.html Page updated August 2007