With the participation of the libraries' faculty and staff and other members of the USC community, the USC Libraries developed The Essential Library, a plan that identifies core strategies for integrating the libraries more effectively as an essential partner in scholarship at USC.
We offer significant collections of print and electronic resources, special collections with rare holdings in a variety of academic disciplines, subject librarians to assist with research and teaching, instructional sessions about library resources and research skills, and reference services at eight library locations and via e-mail and 24/7 IM chat.
The USC Libraries encourage faculty to get involved with our efforts to enhance the collections and services we provide to the university community. The USC Libraries Committee is a joint advisory group comprised of faculty and staff from the Academic Senate, the Provost's Office, and the USC Libraries. If you have suggestions for improving the libraries, please contact us using the Dear Library page.
Getting Started
- Activate your library account and borrow materials using your USCard.
- Arrange proxy borrowing privileges for your research assistants.
Accessing Teaching and Research Materials
- Search the USC Libraries catalogs for materials in our collections.
- Find materials using the HOMER catalog.
- Find health sciences materials using the HELIX catalog.
- Find law materials using the ADVOCAT catalog.
- Browse our special collections holdings for specific academic subjects.
- Search the USC Libraries' electronic resources for databases, e-books, and e-journals.
- Browse our e-resources for specific academic subjects.
- Recommend a book or another resource to add to our collections.
- Make a rush request to add materials to our collections using the LEAP service. Materials usually arrive within 7 days.
- Request materials from other libraries using the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services. You can also request desktop delivery of online articles and book chapters that are not in our collections.
Getting Help
- Get reference assistance by e-mail using the Ask-a-Librarian service. A reference librarian will reply within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
- Get reference assistance by IM chat using the Ask-a-Librarian. We offer 24/7 real-time IM chat reference service staffed by academic librarians from USC and other universities.
- Get reference assistance at reference desks in 8 libraries on the University Park campus. View our reference-desk schedule for more information.
- Find information about the university's copyright and intellectual property policies.
- Find subject librarians with knowledge of resources in your field.
- Use our Web-based RefWorks tool to create and manage your research bibliographies.
- Get information about connecting to USC Libraries electronic resources from off campus.
How to Get Instructional Support
- The USC Libraries offer instructional sessions about library resources, research skills, course-related software, and more. You can use the Request-a-Class page to schedule a session for your course.
- Get an overview of USC Libraries resources that support distance learning and scholarship on remote campuses.
- Get information about making materials available through physical and electronic course reserves.
- Get information about using special collections and archives in your instruction.
Other Resources
- The USC Libraries Digital Library contains more than 245,000 images of items from our special collections and partner institutions.
- L.A. as Subject offers an on-line directory of community-based archives and collections in the Los Angeles area with resources for researching many aspects of Southern California history.
- Request faculty library privileges at UCLA.
- Request faculty library privileges at Caltech.
- Learn about new acquisitions in your field, public programming, and new services at the USC Libraries on our news blog.