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The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Library Basics

Welcome

Library Basics

Photo credit: University of the Pacific

Keep your research organized

Put all your references in a citation manager, create quick and easy bibliographies, build your knowledgebase.

There are lots of options, such as:

More on using Zotero...

More about EasyBib...

Books!

How to Find Books at UMass

 

 

 

Books, journals, articles, videos and more can be located using the general search box on the library home page, www.library.umass.edu.  

Books that UMass owns will indicate "UM" in the location. For a paper book, make sure it says  "Available"and note its location and call number. If it's at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library, you can get the floor from the directory, based on first letters of call number.  

 

 

TIP: When you look for a particular book on the shelf, make sure to browse the shelf and nearby shelves for related books. Take your time! Open the books!

Photo credit: Rio Hondo College Library

Databases for Research

Beyond the Basic Search: How to Find Research Articles and More at UMass

There are hundreds of online collections and databases at UMass. To help researchers navigate that, librarians have created Research Guides organized by subject. Below are just a few of our databases and online collections.

Library databases are available to Massachusetts residents on a walk-in basis. Residents may use the database collection at any of the 50 public terminals located in the Learning Commons, W.E.B. Du Bois Library.  Please note that remote access to library databases requires current UMass affiliation.

Use Care When Relying on Web Sites

Remember to evaluate web pages for accuracy, authority, currency and coverage before using information you find there unless the web page is recommended by your professor, a librarian or other individual you know and trust. 

Get Research Help