Research Help Desk and Reference Resources
Brett Bodemer, CLA Librarian and Coordinator of Reference
Brett Bodemer
Subjects: Anthropology, Art and Design, Art History, Asian Studies, Child Development, Communications, Country Information, English, Ethnic Studies, Feminism, Geography, Government Information, Graphic Communication, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Journalism, Linguistics, Music, News, Performing Arts, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science, Primary Sources, Psychology, Queer Studies, Science, Technology and Society, Social Sciences, Sociology and Social Work, Theater and Dance, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures
Research Help Desk & Chat Hours
Get in-person help from our LibRATs at our desk on the second floor of the library. Hours are listed below. And remember, 24/7 Live Chat is always available!
Research Help Desk Spring Quarter Hours
January 8 - March 24
- Monday - Thursday: Open 9am - 7pm
- Friday: 9am - 5pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sundays: Noon - 9pm
- Special Hours
- Closed Monday, Jan 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) - but remember Chat is open!
- Limited Hours: Monday Feb 20 (President's Day) Noon - 9pm
Where Can I Find Help for My Research?
Come to the Research Help Desk on the 2nd Floor of Kennedy Library to get help from a Librarian or a LibRAT.
You can call the Research Help Desk at (805) 756-2649.
Make a personal appointment to meet with your College Librarian or Specialist.
Looking for Data, Maps, or GIS? Help available here.
To learn what databases are best for a particular topic, Research Guides.
For basic library information you can call the Circulation Desk at (805) 756-5760.
Don't Know What Database to Use? Try the Research Guides!
- Research GuidesThese provide live links and information for the best databases for a subject, topic, or course. Curated by our librarians and specialists.
- Why Use Research Guides?This short video explains how Research Guides can save you time by directing you to the best databases and resources for your subject, topic, or information need.
- Which Database?This brief video explains strategies for quickly determining which database is best for your needs.
How to Find an Article in a Particular Newspaper or Journal
- Video :How to Find a Particular Newspaper/JournalThis 5 minute video shows how to find articles from specific journals, such as NY Times, WAPO, via the library databases.
Search Many Article Databases at Once
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Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new windowGREAT TIP: in this database, just to the right of the words ACADEMIC SEARCH PREMIER click on 'CHOOSE DATABASES' click "SELECT ALL" then click OK -this will let you search all EBSCO databases at once.
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Google Scholar This link opens in a new windowMAKE SURE you are logged into My Cal Poly Portal when you use Google Scholar so the Get it At Cal Poly button can get you to the full text. (Sometimes the Get it at Cal Poly Button is hidden UNDER a result so click the two little arrows >> )
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ABI/INFORM Complete This link opens in a new windowGREAT TIP: IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER, CLICK ON the "three line" icon, select CHANGE DATABASES, check the box for SELECT ALL, then scroll to bottom and click on USE SELECTED DATABASES. You will now be searching all Proquest databases at once.