To access electronic resources like databases and online journals from off-campus, you must first log into the proxy server or the Virtual Private Network (VPN).
The VPN is recommended as it provides the smoothest access.
If you are on campus and using campus wifi, you're already connected!
The best way to search for books and eBooks is to use our Primo search tool. This tool searches across many of our resources including our complete library catalog. Click the red circles to learn more about the search features.
The UF Libraries subscribe to over a thousand databases.
You can explore the full list of them on our A-Z Databases page.
Not sure where to start? You can try searching for resources with Primo or one of our General and Multidisciplinary Databases.
If you want to use a database designed for a specific area of study, check out our library guides for recommended databases. You can also ask a subject specialist librarian for recommendations!
To search for journals, visit the Find a Journal page.
You can also search for journals by visiting the Smathers Libraries home page, typing a search term into the search box, selecting "Journals" from the drop down menu, and clicking "Search"
To find out if a journal is peer-reviewed (also known as refereed), you can use the Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory. Search by journal title, ISSN, etc. and look for the tiny referee shirt as an indicator.
Visiting a journal's website will also help you discover if it is peer-reviewed and what the review process is like.
Some databases also offer filters that allow you to limit your search to peer-reviewed materials only, and some databases use icons to indicate which materials are peer-reviewed.
To find UF theses and dissertations, search the UF Library Catalog.
To find theses and dissertations from other institutions, search ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.
The UF Libraries have a large collection of videos on DVD and online.
Search the UF Library Catalog to find a mixture of Hollywood films, documentaries, instructional videos, and more, and visit our Videos page to explore our video streaming platforms!
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