Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Kennedy Library Updates and Resources

Updates

  Updates 

Kennedy Library Hours

 

Alert: Interlibrary Loan 

  • OneSearch now serves as the primary interface for requesting items that are not immediately available.
  • When you are signed into OneSearch your request options will appear.  These may include physical books/media, digital articles, digital book chapters, and more. It will always be a best practice now to sign into OneSearch.
  • If no request option appears you may always fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan.
  • You can now view and track all your requests from “My Account”
  • The previous platform (ILLIAD) no longer accepts requests.  If you wish to view all your requests prior to August 21, 2022, you may view them at this link until December 2022.

 

Small Equipment for Checkout

  • Chargers, adapters, calculators, whiteboard markers, and other small tech items can be checked out at the front desk.

 

Off Campus Delivery 

  • Off-Campus Delivery is available to current students, staff, faculty and emeritus only: Allow 4-6 weeks for requests to be processed and delivered. Items will be shipped via UPS to the address entered when requested. You will receive an email when your item has been shipped. Continental US and Alaska street addresses only. Our apologies, we cannot deliver to Hawaii or international locations. Items can be returned to any CSU campus book drop or shipped using the prepaid UPS return label included in your shipment.

 

Donations of Physical Materials No Longer Accepted

Kennedy Library is not currently accepting gifts of physical materials – books, textbooks, DVDs, videos, etc. Due to the impending renovation, we no longer have the capacity to process or store physical gifts. However, if the gift is pertinent to Special Collections & Archives, contact archives@calpoly.edu.  

Alternatives for donors include:

Phoenix Bookstore
986 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 
(805) 543-3591

San Luis Obispo Public Library
995 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
(805) 781-5991

Better World Books: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/

 

Campus Updates

   Get Online Help 24/7

Use 24/7 live chat to reach us anytime and from any place! 

24/7 Live Chat Help

   Access Library Resources From Home or Anywhere

Cal Poly students, faculty and staff can easily access our databases and other electronic resources from off-campus. Sign in to My Account using your Cal Poly User ID and password (the same ID and password you use to log into my.calpoly.edu portal.)

For more information, see Off-Campus Access.

Students in need of technology may visit the ITS Tech Rentals page or call 805-756-7000.
Need assistance with technology? Contact the ITS Service Desk at 805-756-7000.

Off-Campus Access   Contact ITS

    Online Research Tools, Databases, and E-Books

Kennedy Library has access to gazillions of digital materials - articles, books, data, streaming media, and more.  The most comprehensive way to get access is to sign into OneSearch to access subscribed content and place requests for for items not instantly available,  You can also access subscribed database content by simply signing into your mycalpoly portal.  Hundreds of databases  provide access to full-text articles, videos, and more. Our Librarians and specialists have created helpful subject, course, and topic guides to help you navigate the research process. 

Research Guides  

OneSearch   

Online Databases   COVID-19 Limited-Time Access Resource List

Special Collections and Archives

E-Books

Kennedy Library provides access to more than 600,000 e-books in all disciplines. All are discoverable in OneSearch.
Not all e-books are created equal. Some e-books, for example, can only be viewed by 3 users at a time, but the majority of e-books have minimal restrictions. The E-Books Guide below describes how to identify e-books to which we have access, and to see the terms of use for that item.

E-Books Guide   

Streaming Video

The library subscribes to several streaming video databases, and users can view streaming content from these databases when they are logged into the Cal Poly portal.

Docuseek

Academic Video Online

BBC Shakespeare Plays

Kanopy

Commercial or ad-supported streaming services

If instructors can't find the video they need in one of the library resources above, they can search for additional streaming options at JustWatch.com and Reelgood.com.  This will help determine if the video content is site exclusive (e.g. Netflix, PrimeVideo, or HBO), or if it is available on an ad-supported or low-cost rental platform (e.g. Vudu, Google Play or YouTube).  NOTE:  The library cannot pay rental costs on commercial services. Ad-supported and free platforms vary in quality and reliability--always preview the entire film yourself before linking it to your students.

JustWatch

Reelgood

   Online Library Tutorials for Students

We have online tutorials, videos, and guides that provide students with instruction on library research strategies and tools.

Research 101 Tutorials and Videos 

Finding Data Tutorial 

Research and Course Guides 

  Course Reserves

We can assist faculty in making course materials available digitally, either using already library-licensed digital materials or, in some cases, by licensing ebooks via faculty requests.  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide print and physical course reserves in academic year 22-23.

To place e-materials on reserve, check OneSearch to see if the library already owns the item. If you find an electronic copy in OneSearch, please  fill out a Course Reserves request form, and include a OneSearch permalink to the item in the “Special Instructions” box. Placing it on Course Reserves makes it easy for students to find and for us to ensure that the licenses stay current.

If you cannot find the item you are looking for in OneSearch, submit an E-Reserves Purchase Request Form.

Accessing Course Reserves and Materials

To access course reserves you can search for course reserves and materials by course number (ie COMS 101) or instructor name. 
 

Search Course Reserves

 

   Don't See Online Access or Full Text?  Interlibrary loan options may be available

When you are signed into OneSearch your request options will appear.  These may include physical books/media, digital articles, digital book chapters, and more. If no request option appears you may always fill out a request for Interlibrary Loan.

If you are searching in Databases, look for the "Get It" button, that will drop you into OneSearch and request options for an item.

You can view and track all your requests from “My Account”

Submit a request online:

Interlibrary Loan 

Questions?  You can email: ils@calpoly.edu