Welcome to the University of Iowa Libraries. My name is Jenay Dougherty and I am one of the Libraries' Undergraduate Engagement Librarians. I work in the Undergraduate Engagement Department at the Main Library. I work mainly with undergraduates from all levels and a variety of areas but primarily with students in Rhetoric and TRIO SSS.
This is a guide that I've created specifically for first-generation students here at UI to introduce you to the University of Iowa Libraries and answer any questions you might have about how the Libraries on campus work.
I've broken down our large and often overwhelming resources at the UI Libraries into the following key areas below. On the left hand side of this page, you will find specific information about finding and searching for books and articles, developing a good researchable topic, evaluating credibility of online sources, citation help and more.
The University of Iowa Libraries consists of EIGHT campus locations. Each library has specific collections and materials specific to the needs of students and faculty within the colleges and departments they serve. Check out our library locations here!
The UI Libraries has a librarian for each major. To find out who the librarian for your major is click on the link here: Subject Specialists. These librarians are specialists in their area and can help you find the best information for class assignments and projects.
Even if you don't yet have a major yet check out our Library Subject Guides: guides.lib.uiowa.edu.
These guides were created by our subject specialist librarians and contain lists of databases, resources, and other information relevant and specific to different courses and majors. These guides also have contact information for the subject librarians who created the guide.
The UI Libraries has over 1400 databases, all of which house thousands of online journals, from academic to newspapers to online maps and more. Best tip is to narrow databases by subject.