Undergraduate Students
An introduction to some of the library services of most interest to undergraduate students.
Research Essentials
Summon
Power search books & more using Summon. Use limiters like full text or scholarly to refine your search. Watch this 3-minute video for more tips. You can also find books in the BGSU Libraries Catalog and in OhioLINK.
EBSCO
Search for scholarly articles on any topic in EBSCO. Download pdfs or use the Find It! button to link to full text or request through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). You will find more places to find articles and other kinds of information on our All Databases list, arranged by subject.
Appointments
Make an appointment to meet with a librarian! While you can always drop in, email, chat or call for assistance whenever the Research & Information Desk is open, librarians are also available for one-on-one appointments to help with any research project.
For Your Classes
Course Reserves
Many professors will put the textbook for your course on reserve at the library. Most reserves are available to use for 2 hours at a time in the library, but some may circulate overnight. The library also has Avalon streaming audio and video reserves.
LibGuides
LibGuides are online research guides created by librarians for specific courses and subjects. Course-specific guides often help you complete specific research assignments. Subject guides showcase resources for research in specific disciplines.
Textbooks
Use our online search tool to find all your options for purchasing or renting your textbook from an online retailer.
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Study Spaces
There are a variety of study spaces throughout the library, many of which can be reserved in advance. Learn about our spaces or book a study room.
Printing & Scanning
Print in color or black & white, scan to pdf, or make high-quality scans in the library.
Learning Commons
The Learning Commons is home to the Writing Center, subject tutoring, the FLY Program, and Supplemental Instruction. Get drop-in or online help or make an appointment with our wonderful peer and graduate student tutors.
More Services for Students
Citing Sources
Our citation guides can help you get started citing research in APA and MLA format. The web-based tool RefWorks allows you to save citations and format bibliographies automatically.
Chosen Name
University Libraries recognizes that members of BGSU may elect to use a name other than their legal name. Students, faculty, staff, and card-holding guests can contact the Director of Access Services, Andrea Boehme (andboeh@bgsu.edu) to indicate their chosen name and/or pronouns. The following choices are permissible: using your middle name, shortening your name (ex. Jim instead of James), using an anglicized name, or using a name that better fits your gender identity.
Your chosen name and/or pronouns will be added to your library account so that circulation employees know to use it when communicating with you. Automatic notifications will still reflect the legal name on record with the University. Library employees who do not have access to your library account will not be able to see your chosen name. The Director of Access Services has the right to not accept or remove a chosen name if it is not permissible.
Collab Lab
The Collab Lab offers peer-to-peer instruction on a variety of software applications and has 3D printing, a green screen, and more cool tech to take your class projects to the next level. Assistance is available by appointment, through drop-in visits, one-on-one, in small groups or through class visits.
Subject Librarians
Look up the contact information for the librarian in your area to make an individual appointment with a subject specialist.
Troubleshooting
The troubleshooting guide can help you if you are having trouble accessing resources or logging in from off campus.