As classes get underway this fall, the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are here to support students in a variety of ways. Check out the following 10 tips to make the most of all the libraries have to offer.
Find Your Favorite Study Spot
The spaces in our nine campus libraries are ideal for studying and doing research, whether alone or in groups. We have plenty of open seating available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as small study rooms that can be reserved in advance. Registered student organizations also can reserve our large spaces for campus activities and community events.
Seamlessly Access a World of Resources
Our robust discovery system for books, articles, journals, databases and other resources can assist you in your research. Additionally, we provide a wide array of research guides and tools to make the research process easier. One such tool, LibKey Nomad, is a browser extension that allows you to authenticate and access content from anywhere and quickly add citations to a variety of citation managers. You also can create your own virtual bookshelf on your PC or mobile device using BrowZine, which lets you read and save articles from thousands of academic journals while never missing a new issue thanks to table of contents alerts.
Collaborate with Our Librarians
Our librarians work with students in every major across campus and will gladly meet with you—either in person or virtually—to discuss how to make your research easier and more efficient. They also are an excellent resource for helping you fact-check and evaluate sources with a critical eye as you sift through the vast amount of information out there. Make an appointment with your librarian today.
Engage with Unique Collections
Our Special Collections and University Archives house a wide array of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, artifacts, audiovisual materials and Vanderbilt institutional archives, many of which are accessible online through our extensive JSTOR digital library. In addition, the libraries are home to the Slave Societies Digital Archive, the world’s largest collection of records documenting the history of Africans and their descendants across the Atlantic World; the Vanderbilt Television News Archive, the world’s most complete archive of television broadcast news; and a broad range of U.S. government documents thanks to our designation as a federal depository library. You also have access to diverse collections from around the globe through our affiliation with the OCLC Research Library Partnership.
Subscribe to News Sites for Free
We provide Vanderbilt faculty, students and staff free premium subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and Nashville Business Journal news sites, as well as free access to O’Reilly e-books and online courses.
Attend Our Events and Exhibits
The libraries host a variety of engaging community events throughout the academic year, including author talks, panel discussions and other gatherings that promote civil discourse and the exchange of ideas. We also organize rotating exhibits that enhance the cultural and intellectual life of the campus community by showcasing our primary resources, artifacts and book collections.
Explore Our Technology
We offer an extensive selection of technology for your use, from specially equipped computers in Peabody Library’s GIS Lab that are capable of advanced spatial analysis and interactive mapping, to state-of-the-art podcasting equipment in Central Library’s Studio 608, to a Bloomberg Terminal in the Central Library used for tracking and analyzing financial market data. You also can check out equipment on your own, including digital cameras, audio production equipment and virtual reality kits, through the Science and Engineering Library’s Gear2Go technology lending program.
Publish Open Access for Free or at a Discount
The libraries have negotiated multiple transformative agreements with leading academic publishers that are particularly helpful for graduate students as they look to increase the potential reach and impact of their published work. The agreements reduce the barrier to publishing open access by waiving or discounting article processing charges for thousands of journals.
Take a Break
When you have some downtime, peruse our leisure reading collection, which includes a broad selection of print books, e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines. You also can listen to music and watch concert performances, masterclasses, ballets, operas, documentaries and more through our Music Library’s audio and video streaming services.
Just Ask!
The Heard Libraries are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment for all students in the Vanderbilt community. Visit each library’s website for more information on student resources and services, including our accessibility services, and please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.