Location
Von KleinSmid Center
University of Southern California
3518 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0048
Phone: (213)-740-1769
Email: vkc@usc.edu
Campus map code: VKC
Overview
The Von KleinSmid Center Library is a graduate-level research and current affairs learning center that supports the disciplines of political science, international relations, public administration, and urban and regional planning. The Library houses approximately 185,000 books, subscribes to over 600 journals and other serial publications, and maintains electronic access to a wide variety of scholarly resources from international agencies. The VKC Library serves as the regional depository for all publications of the European Union. The Library’s collections (books, journals, AV materials, digitial resources, etc.) and services (research consultation and instruction) offer students, faculty, staff, and alumni with a valuable place to study and conduct research in the applied social sciences.
The VKC Library abides by all of the USC Libraries policies on access and borrowing privileges for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and non-USC borrowers.
Directions
The Von KleinSmid Center Library is located on the northeast corner of campus near the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street (see directions to the campus). The library is located in the basement of the Von KleinSmid building and can be reached by using the northeast corner stairwell or elevator.
For general questions regarding parking on campus, visit the Parking Services Website.
Collection Development
Library faculty within the Von KleinSmid Center Library participate in ongoing selection of materials based on research and curricular needs. In addition, we also rely on the suggestions of our users to help build our collection. Requests to purchase books, subscribe to new journals, or obtain access to electronic resources can be done online using the USC Libraries' Recommend-A-Book service. If there is an urgent need for an item, you can use the Library's Library Expedited Acquisitions Program (LEAP) service.
Reference Services
Library faculty are available for in-person research consultation at the reference desk in VKC Library from 1:00pm - 4:00pm Monday - Thursday or anytime by appointment.
Use the Ask-A-Librarian service for general telephone, email and live, 24/7 chat reference assistance and for reference services available at other libraries on campus.
Instructional Services
The Von KleinSmid Center Library offers library-use and research methods instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes in the disciplines of political science, international relations, public administration , and urban planning. To request such a session, use Request-A-Class or contact any of the following faculty in the VKC Library: Linda Weber, Robert V. Labaree, Anthony Anderson, Katharin Peter.