In addition to the already busy workload of graduate students, housing can be another difficult task to navigate. The Santa Barbara housing market is one of the most competitive in California. We recommend that graduate students begin their search for housing several months before their expected arrival or end of current lease. Below you will find a recording of the Campus Housing Team with graduate specific resources.
Four key resources for you to keep on hand:
Library Resources
Remote Access to Library Databases
You can access library subscription research databases from off-campus using either the proxy server or the Virtual Private Network. Learn more at Graduate Student Services for 2020-2021.
Circulation and Borrowing
Your Access Card is your library card. Use it to check out Library materials at the Services Desk and self-check machines. Generally, graduate students can check out books for one quarter at a time. For more details, visit here.
Course Reserves
Many faculty members place material on print or electronic reserve so that all students in the course have access to it. For information on how to find reserve items and place items on reserve for your courses, see here.
Interlibrary Loan
You can borrow books, journal articles, and other materials from other libraries, free of charge. ILL requests can be made through Library's online forms, using the number on the bottom of your Access Card. For information and links, see here.
Library Instruction
To request a library instruction session for your class, or to have a librarian create a research guide, contact your subject librarian or use the online request form. If you are a Teaching Assistant, we can also show you library resources and searching techniques to share with your students.
Off-Campus Access to Online Resources
UCSB Library provides online access to thousands of research sources, including article databases, electronic journals, and electronic books. The list of databases is here, and the list of electronic journals is here.
Scholarly Communication
Librarians can help you navigate the increasingly complex world of scholarly publishing. They offer consultations and presentations on author rights, open access publishing (including UC’s Open Access Policies), data management plans, eScholarship (UC’s open access repository and publishing platform), and more. The Program also hosts a Scholarly Publishing and Communication Discussion List. It administers an Open Access Publishing Fund for authors who want to make their research free to readers immediately upon publication. For information and links, see here.
Services for UCSB Library Users with Disabilities
The UCSB Library has specialized services and equipment for users with disabilities. For information, see here.
Subject Librarians
Subject librarians help you with your research and are happy to meet with you by appointment. We also encourage you to contact them with your recommendations for materials for the Library’s collections. For a list of subject librarians, see here.
Graduate Study Rooms
The Library’s three Graduate Study rooms provide study carrels, tables, and comfortable armchairs for UCSB’s graduate students. The rooms are located on the 2nd floor of both the Ocean and Mountain Side (gain entry by swiping your Access Card) and on the 8th floor of the Library's Ocean Side (pick up a key at the Services Desk).
Interdisciplinary Research Collaboratory
The Collaboratory offers data collections, services, and expertise to help students and researchers find, analyze, manage, and visualize research data. The lab includes 85-inch monitors and a full suite of statistical, spatial, and textual software. For information, see here.
Late Night Study
Late Night Study begins after regular building hours and is available on the 1st and 2nd floors of UCSB Library. The 24-hour study space provides safe, comfortable individual and group study spaces and access to computers, printers, and vending machines. Access is restricted to UCSB students, faculty, and staff. Swipe your Access Card at the Paseo West entrance to enter the Library during Late Night Study hours. Two of the Graduate Study rooms are included in the 24-hour space.
Presentation Practice Room
This space on the 1st Floor, Mountain Side, is available for you to practice and record multimedia presentations.
Please bring your own laptop or check one out at the Services Desk; you can also borrow a clicker and adapter cords. The room can be booked in advance here.
Music Library
Located in the Music Building, the Music Library provides collections and services, including books, journals, scores, sound recordings, and videotape and listening facilities.
Computers
We have over 170 public computers throughout the Library that offer internet access and Microsoft Office. The Learning Commons also includes PCs with high-end processors and Adobe Creative Suite and other specialized software. Laptops are available for free 4-hour checkout at the Services Desk and the Circulation Desk in the Music Library. There is free Wi-Fi throughout all public areas.
Copying, Printing, and Scanning
Copiers and printers are located throughout the Library. Buy a copy card from one of the vending machines to print directly from Library computers. You can use either the copy card or cash in the public photocopiers. For more information about copy cards and printing, prices see here. Scanners are available in both the main Library and the Music Library; scanning is free of charge. Microform readers are located on the 2nd floor, Ocean Side of the Main Library.