University Survey Course Guide

Ask Us

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Get help with research assignments or ask questions about library resources at Ask Us (go.osu.edu/askus). We can help you find articles, organize your research, cite sources, and more.

Ask Us in person at one of our locations, by email, phone, chat, or use our FAQ.

More Ways to Ask Questions

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Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research

Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research

Welcome to The Ohio State University. Becoming a member of the Ohio State community can be an exciting and often daunting transition. The University Survey course is designed to introduce you to many aspects of academic life. This guide provides helpful Library resources for your first semester at Ohio State.

Welcome to University Libraries!

Thompson Library Grand Reading room

University Libraries - We're here for you!

To search the library catalog for books, articles, newspapers, and more visit library.osu.edu.

Searching the catalog

Play this video to learn how to search for books in the library catalog.

Make Google Scholar Work for You

Make Google Scholar Work for You

Google Scholar indexes items Google considers scholarly, including articles, theses, books, preprints, abstracts, conference proceedings, and technical reports. The OSU Libraries subscribes to the electronic version of many of these materials and may own the print copy.  Customize Google Scholar to find free full text provided by OSU Libraries and OhioLINK.

Connect to Google Scholar

Customize Google Scholar for OSU

  • Go to Settings (may be under MORE)
  • In the Library Links tab, search for Ohio State and click the Find Library button.
  • Check the box beside The Ohio State University Libraries- Find it at OSU
  • Click Save button at the bottom right of the page.

In the Google Scholar results click the Find It! link to determine if online access is provided by OSU Libraries or OhioLINK.  This link may be under MORE for some results.  If a Find It! link is not offered try every available link, as Google Scholar may offer several sources for the same citation.

Use these OSU Libraries' services if you do not find free full text through Google Scholar

 Ask-Us a question if you did not find what you need or have other questions.

 

First Year Success Series

The First Year Success Series includes hundreds of sessions to help students successfully transition to college life in a variety of ways. For more information, go to go.osu.edu/fyss. To learn about sessions offer by University Libraries, go to go.osu.edu/osul-fyss.

Librarian

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Beth Black
she/her
Contact:
221B Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210
614-688-5428

Library Locations

Find your favorite library!

We have many locations across campus. 

Enter the location address into the Ohio State App to get directions via the campus map.

 

North Campus Library Locations

Closest to these residence halls: Archer, Barrett, Blackburn, Bowen, Busch, Drackett, Gateway, Haverfield, Houck, Houston, Jones, Mendoza, Norton, Nosker, Raney, Scott, Taylor, Torres

South Campus Library Locations

Closest to these residence halls: Baker, Bradley, Canfield, Mack, Morrison, Neil, Park-Stradley, Paterson, Residences on 10th, Siebert, Smith-Steeb, William Hall

West Campus Library Locations

 

Closest libraries to Lincoln and Morrill Towers:

 

Check here for Locations and Hours of Operation for all University Libraries.