You’ve made it through Spring break and are back in that final push to the end of the year finish line. To mark this final stretch before summer, let’s take a look at more of our Reference Desk Assistant team’s favorite library resources!
If you have any questions or want to know more about any of the resources listed here, please contact us at library@reed.edu or visit the Reference Desk. The desk is located right through the double doors past the circulation desk with the “Ask Us!” neon sign in the window!
The most useful resource I have used during my time here at Reed has been the DVD collection in the IMC. As a movie lover and film minor, I’m interested in watching as many movies as possible. With streaming services being so expensive and having select catalogs, being able to check out DVDs has been amazing. The IMC has a collection of over 12,000 videos in all different formats so there will definitely be something for everyone. I have my own dvd player at home but if you don’t, they are also available to check out through the IMC. There are also projectors and screens available if that’s more your speed. Another great thing about the IMC is the recommendations from staff or the annotated features. Sometimes it’s overwhelming to pick what you want to rent and having specific recommendations with a reason why can be really nice. Some of my favorite annotated features are: Horror movies, Nature films, and Animated movies. If you’re looking for a nice way to relax or want to expand your film knowledge, the IMC is the place to go. –Anonymous
The most useful library resource I’ve found in my time at Reed is the PARC’s wide range of chargers, cords, and cables. As a person whose computer and phone are always running low on battery, I have somehow never learned that I should carry a compatible charger with me everywhere I go. The PARC has saved me from a dead computer countless times. Many of the other items I’ve checked out from the PARC fall into the class of “things you desperately need but don’t feel like buying”, like HDMI-to-USB-C adapters and extension cords. These could be items that you use for a class, but also, maybe you just want to have a cozy movie night in your dorm and need some obscure adapter. Some of my linguistics classes have necessitated recording equipment, which the PARC has in spades. All in all, the equipment at the PARC has been very useful for me, and I imagine it’s useful for everyone who doesn’t feel like having a box full of random, unlabeled cables and cords in their personal space. –Elijah Heitz, ℅ 26’
My favorite library resource is by far the online databases. Specifically, as a psychology student, using PsycInfo is crucial to me to find journal articles when I am researching anything for a class. I have used PsycInfo for probably every single psychology class I have taken at Reed, because it is very straightforward and walks you through the process of using keywords to find specific information. When you click on the link to PsycInfo or PsycArticles, it brings you to a search bar where you can input certain terms; importantly, it also allows you to use the Boolean “and”, “or”, and “not” phrases without having to worry about using the correct punctuation, like you would in a typical google search. I also find it incredibly helpful that you can filter by peer-reviewed articles and open access articles, as well as the publication year/dates, publisher, and tests & measures. This makes it simple to find high quality sources that relate directly to your research, or whatever you need them for. I believe anybody at Reed would benefit from using the library’s online databases for research in their classes, and sociology and psychology majors would benefit from PsycInfo/PsycArticles to find essential information for their classes. –Clea Pfeifer, ℅ 27’
The VRC primarily supports teaching and learning in the visual arts by providing access to high-quality images, specialized tools, and guidance from curator Chloe, as well as student workers. So the VRC can be a great resource for anyone in the Reed community engaged with visual art materials. One-on-one appointments are also available here which makes equipment rental pickups, visual consultation, and risograph demonstrations very accessible. –Anonymous
The most useful library resource I’ve utilized has been the librarian-led workshop classes, where a subject librarian visits classes and walks students through different research tools, databases, and library services. Personally, I’ve found these sessions particularly helpful at the start/middle of the fall semester, when the library usually has updates or newly available resources implemented over the summer. Having a librarian in class to explain how to navigate the very overwhelming amount of available resources helps me feel significantly less intimidated and also ensures that I’m using the most effective tools available per subject of study. In-class workshop days with subject librarians helps in making the library space as a whole feel more approachable and collaborative in a sense (being able to work with a librarian one-on-one), turning what could be perceived as overwhelming in the research process into something that feels more engaging and accessible! –Victoria Salazar, ℅ 26’
I personally found the VRC to be helpful with my personal creative projects as well as image use in my thesis. The VRC introduced me to the risograph machine through workshops and one-on-one demonstrations, which encouraged me to explore various printing techniques such as color separation and layering. I find this very valuable because risograph printing on the market is usually not cheap, considering the cost of paper, ink, and printing, when it’s free of charge to Reed members. I was also able to obtain resource guides as zines and a website about image use, which will be very useful for my thesis that uses 19th-century maps and photographs. –Anonymous