Resources for Bright Success Mentors: Top 10 Things to Know

Top 10 tips every incoming student needs to know about the UC Merced Library

#1 Use UC Library Search to Find Books, Articles & More

UC Library Search This link opens in a new window
Locate books, articles, and more from all UC campuses and beyond in this unified discovery and borrowing system. Use filters and alternative search scopes to narrow your results. Connect via the VPN to view all content available to you. Log in to your account to request material.

The library has over 700 databases.
Use databases to access journal articles, news articles, magazine articles, dissertations, theses, images, streaming music, etc.
Article databases may include only the citation, the full-text of an article (actual resource), or a combination of both.

If the library doesn't have an item, request to borrow it from another library through Interlibrary Loan.
Look for a Get it at UC or ILL Request Tab in databases or on the UC Library Search header banner to get to the request form. Sign in to UC Library Search to make sure you information auto-fills into the form.
Articles normally take 3-5 business days to obtain. Books take a little longer. Articles will be made available electronically and will be delivered via email for download. Books will be available in print for pick-up at Library Services Desk on the 2nd floor.

Check your Library Card to see what books you have checked out. Your account includes local items and items ordered through Interlibrary Loan.
Use your Library Card account if you want to request an ILL renewal. This must be done a few days before the item is due.
Use your UCMnetID and password to sign on via Single Sign-on.

Print jobs can be retrieved in the library in black & white or color. See Print, Copy, Scan for details and costs.
Scanners are available. Email documents or save onto a USB drive.
CatNet is the preferred wireless network in the library.
For help troubleshooting tech questions, see IT Express, located next to the Library Services Desk on the 2nd floor.

Access resources off-campus via the Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Set-up the VPN one time and then easily login with your UCMnetID and password.
For help with the VPN, see IT Express, located next to the Library Services Desk on the 2nd floor.

RefWorks is a citation management tool that can store, format, and cite resources.
Select the option to Use login from my institution. Log in or create an account with your UCMnetID to create an account.
See the RefWorks guide for detailed instructions.

Use your CatCard to check out items from the Library Services Desk, located on the 2nd floor.
For undergraduates, UC Merced books check out for six months and DVDs for 2 weeks.
See a list of other items available for check out.
Return dates for ILL materials are determined by the lending library.

Library spaces are available for quiet and collaborative study.
The McFadden-Willis Reading Room (KL 455) and KL 460 are best for quiet study. The Reading Room (KL 355; AKA the Green Room) is being piloted as a quiet study space for the duration of 2017.
Collaborative Work Rooms are great for solo or group study and can be reserved up to 48 hours in advance. Rooms can be reserved for up to two hours at at time. Visit EMS Room Reservation System to make a reservation.
See Library Maps for room locations in the Kolligian Library building. Room numbers above 50 are on the library side (east wing); numbers below 50 are on the admin/student services side (west wing).

Get help from a librarian with research. See Ask a Librarian for many contact options, including the 24/7 Chat and appointment tool.
Visit our FAQs or Library Tutorials for pre-answered questions or how-to videos.
Get help from student assistants with technology troubleshooting. See IT Express, located next to the Library Services Desk on the 2nd floor.