You can always get help by using Ask a Librarian, scheduling a 1-on-1 Consultation, using the How Do I... tutorials or contacting the subject specialist for your area of interest. The questions below are our most frequently asked questions in Library classes.
How are the libraries differentiated? What can I do at the Library other than study? Is there a relaxation room?
All six of our libraries have different collections and spaces. Brown Library (in Clark Hall) has a sensory room and you can find out more about that room and our efforts to become a neurodivergent friendly library here.
Where is the Special Collections Library located and how can I find and access rare, unique, and valuable collections?
The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library is next to Clemons Library and across from Shannon Library. You can explore the link for more information about our collection and how to use those items..
How do I reserve study spaces? What are the reservation policies? What are the best study spots?
You can find more information about reserving study spaces and the types of spaces we have here. Everyone will have their own favorite spot to study! A popular place for silent study is the McGregor Room in Shannon Library but if you like a more vibrant atmosphere, you might find the Georges Center in Clemons Library on the 2nd floor is a good place to settle.
How can I find books in the stacks and online? How long can I check them out for? Can I return them to any library? What if the book I want is checked out by someone else?
This video will walk you through the process of finding a book in the catalog and then finding it in the stacks. As an undergraduate, you can generally check out books for 30 days. You can find the details of our loan policies here. If the book you want is checked out, you can request it and the person who has it checked out has 10 days to return it.
You can return books to any Library unless it’s a book that was on hold for a course. Course reserve books should be returned to the desk at the Library you borrowed it from. There are fees for returning some books and other materials after their due dates.
If I needed a resource from the Ivy Stacks, how would I go about requesting and getting that resource?
If you find a resource in Virgo that is listed as Ivy Stacks, there will be a Request item button on the page. Clicking it will direct you to a page where you can select the library where you’d like to pick up the item. For more information, follow this walkthrough.
How can I access the New York Times?
To set up a New York Times account, visit this link when you are on Grounds and it will walk you through setting up your account. Make sure you are connected to the University’s wifi network. After your account is set up, you’ll be able to access the Times on or off Grounds.
How can I create an account for the Wall Street Journal?
Visit this link and use your UVA email address to set up an account.
How do I best find someone to help me with a specific topic and build better connections with a subject librarian?
Our subject librarians would be happy to help you with your research. You can find a list by research area here. If you aren’t sure who to contact, you can always reach out to Ask a Librarian and they can help.
What is the best database for my topic (for instance, history-based research)?
The best databases for you will depend on topic, discipline, and your own comfort level with the tool. We recommend visiting the relevant subject guide and using that information to narrow the options down. Some disciplines, like History, have a number of different guides to help direct you whether your area of interest is Thomas Jefferson or the history of the Middle East.
How can I use facets, keywords, and other strategies to find articles?
Knowing where to start your search is an important part of research. While we have over 1000 databases on topics ranging from art to zoology, it can be more effective to start with Virgo. Virgo searches a selection of the most popular databases (that’s what you see in the articles tab). Here are a few tips:
What tips do you have to look through a bunch of sources efficiently?
A simple search will result in thousands of results, so using the tips above to narrow the results list will be helpful to weed out the less relevant sources. Having a good idea of what you are looking for (topic, date range, type of source, etc.) can help you determine what sources to investigate further. You can also look at the journal title and abstract before reading the full article to see if it’s relevant to your topic. When you’re reading the article, skim key sections of the article such as the introduction, methodology and conclusion to grasp the main points of each resource. Finally, remain flexible and remember that research is iterative. Refine your search strategy as you gain more insight into your topic.
How can I engage with texts?
Scholarly articles and books are written for other scholars and can be dense and more difficult to read than sources written for a general audience. Reading and engaging with these texts is a skill, and different disciplines will engage with texts in different ways. We have a tutorial on reading academic articles to get you started.
How can I change my key words if they're not showing me the results that I need, when I feel that these keywords are imperative to the search?
If you encounter an article behind a paywall or another item the library does not own, can the library help you get access to those articles or items? If so, how do you request access?
If you aren’t able to find an article, book, film, etc. in Virgo, use Interlibrary Loan to request access to materials that the library does not already have access to. Log in to your ILL account to make a request here, and we have a tutorial on how to submit an ILL request. Never pay out of your own pocket to access a book, journal article, film, etc. that you need for your research! If you have trouble finding an article or placing a request, you can always use Ask a Librarian for help.
What happens if you accidentally pick a bad reference, and additionally what to do if you realize that a reference is not relevant as it was before?
Move on and find something better, more relevant, or more useful! You’re not married to any source you find, and finding “bad” or irrelevant sources is part of the research process. Sometimes, sources are helpful because they show us what we’re not looking for.
What’s the best way to keep track of sources?
In addition to bookmarking resources in Virgo (remember to log in!), you can use a citation manager. One good resource is Zotero, a free and robust citation manager. We have a walkthrough for Zotero as well as other citation resources here.
Do we need to cite Virgo or any other tool used to find resources?
You do not need to cite Virgo or other databases or tools separately from your sources, but some citation styles (such as MLA 9th edition) encourage you to include the database you used to find a source in the citation for that source. When in doubt, check the style guide for your discipline for information on if and how to cite databases.
How are the UVA libraries able to further my research knowledge in a particular topic, like DEI studies?
In addition to the tips above, you can refer to a subject guide on your area of interest. For instance, if you were interested in learning more about LatinX research you could consult this guide. In addition, if you are at the shelf and looking for a physical copy of a book, you’ll notice that all the books surrounding it will be about the same subject. For example, on the shelf of a book about diversity in education you will find many books on the same and related topics.
How do I determine what a credible source is and how do I find one?
Check out our Getting Started tutorials. There you will find resources on peer review, finding appropriate sources, authority and more. If you want to talk more with a librarian about evaluating sources, you can set up a 1-on-1 consultation here.
How can I get a citation from Virgo or a database?
Items in Virgo have a Cite button in the top right corner. In databases, there is usually an option for getting a citation in the sidebar or header.
What 3D printing resources does the Library have and how can I get trained to use them?
The Library has 3D printers in the Robertson Media Center and in the Tinkertank in the DH Center in Shannon Library. You can find information on all of the Library’s available technology, including 3D printers and the training for them, here.
What audio/recording equipment and specialized software do we have access to?
The Robertson Media Center is on the 3rd floor of Clemons and has both a Video and an Audio Studio. There is also a computer lab with Macs available for work on media projects. They are open anytime a class is not scheduled. You can find a list of software here. If you need more dedicated time for media editing, you can make a reservation for one of the machines in the Digital Media Lab. The Video Studio has trainings available on the website reservation page here, including required and optional training modules as well as the link to sign up for in-person sessions. The Audio Studio can be reserved without training.