Library Resources

Beginning a new research project can be daunting in many ways, but the University Library is here to help you. We are happy to help you to choose a research topic, locate sources relating to that topic, and find full-text resources. Are you confused about what a peer-reviewed source is, how to find a book in the building, or how to manage your citations? Contact the Honors College Librarian, Ida, for help.

Ida Martinez, the Honors College Librarian, is available to help Honors students and faculty with library use or research questions. If you’re struggling with choosing a topic, finding scholarly resources, finding primary sources, or conducting literature reviews, Ida, is available by phone, email, or appointment. Her office is in the Librarian Subject Specialist Suite area on Library South 5th floor.

If you’re working on a specialized research topic in your discipline, consider contacting the library specialist for your subject area. One has been assigned to each department or major on campus, so regardless of your major or project, there’s an expert in the library who can help you with your research. You can converse with your specialist by phone or email, or come in for an in-person meeting.

The University Library can only purchase a fraction of the books and articles available in the world, but just because we don’t own an item doesn’t mean you can’t get it. As a Georgia State University student, you can borrow materials for free from other schools in the state system via GIL Express, from a network of national lenders via Interlibrary Loan, or via personal visit to local colleges and universities like the University of Georgia, or Georgia Tech. We can usually get you articles within 24 hours, and physical items (like books or DVDs) within a week.

The fifth floor of the University Library is designated as silent space, and the Library is home to almost 60 group study rooms which can be reserved in advance (on the Web or via smartphone) or on the spot at the User Services Desk on Library North 1. (Please note that a room can only be reserved on the spot if one is available, so consider reserving in advance when possible.) You can also find group and individual seating and computers throughout the North and South Library buildings (which are connected via an indoor link that goes over Decatur Street).

If you can’t find a computer in the Library or if you need to check out a laptop, you can check out laptops or iPads at the Technology Support Desk in Library North 2. You can also check out flip cameras and graphing and scientific calculators at the Technology Support Desk.

The University Library is home to extensive archives and other special primary source documents. The areas of emphasis include women’s and gender rights, southern labor, and popular music and culture, so if your research focuses on any of these topics, the Archives would be a great place to do some research. The Archives and Special Collections are housed on the 8th floor of Library South. Visit their site to learn more about their collections, services, and hours.

The Library’s employees cannot proofread APA, MLA, or other citations, but we can help you with quick questions, and we also offer training in citation management tools. Each term, we offer drop-in workshops on the citation management softwares Zotero and Endnote, and you can expect regular visits from University Library employees at Honors Lunch & Learn and other sessions. To learn more about these tools and any upcoming workshops, visit our homepage or the Zotero and Endnote guides.

If you’re looking for more help, you can get it online or in the Library buildings. The Library offers assistance via chat, email, and phone, or you can connect with us on Facebook or Twitter. We check in on these platforms regularly, so if you send us a question on Twitter, you will get an answer. If you’d rather get help the old-fashioned way, in person, then you can stop in at the User Services Desk on Library North 1.

Visit the Library’s Undergraduate Students page for more information on our buildings and services, or email Ida Martinez, the Honors College Librarian, for more information.