George A. Smathers Libraries
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UF Libraries can be a great tool for all UF students, even if you aren't on campus! Here are 6 things you need to know to use the Libraries:
In order to access any of the online resources that the UF Libraries offers, you need to download, install, and turn on the VPN. You can find these resources at vpn.ufl.edu.
Once installed, the VPN software is called Cisco AnyConnect. When you open Cisco AnyConnect, you will be prompted for a user name and password. Enter your Gatorlink username (without @ufl.edu) and password to connect.
The Computing Help Desk is available 24/7 to answer questions and help you install and run the VPN properly.
As you are trying to figure out the millions of things UF throws at you during your first year, feel free to reach out to us with your questions. Library staff are available in person as well as via email, chat, and text.
Common questions include:
Where is the [insert name] building?
What are peer-reviewed journal articles?
I'm having trouble finding this book for my class. Can you help?
UF Online students may borrow most materials available at the main UF campus and materials not owned by the UF Libraries by using the InterLibrary Loan. Requests are mailed or emailed to off-campus locations and arrive within one day to several weeks, depending on whether UF owns the item or whether it needs to be requested from another university. You should be able to access most electronic resources by using the VPN (see tip #1).
Note: ILL service does not apply to textbooks!
Did you know every major on campus has a librarian assigned? We call these librarians "subject specialists" because of their expertise in each subject. This means you have an expert to help you find information for papers, projects, or other assignments.
We are available to answer questions via email, phone, and Zoom. These one-on-one consultations between students and librarians are common. Consultations can be as simple as one question via email or as complex as an hour-long consultation spent locating sources for an undergraduate thesis. We are here to help!
Each major is different, which means finding information related to each major requires different resources. LibGuides (short for Library Guide) are one way subject specialists try to help you find scholarly resources for your coursework.
For example, if you are doing historical research for a paper on the history of the Everglades, you may need to find books, newspapers, government documents, and special collections housed in archives. However, if you are pre-med and doing a paper on health disparities in communities of color, you will need original research articles as well as public health information from large datasets.
This is a lot of information. We made a guide just for UF Online students that goes in depth on some of these topics.
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