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UCR Library Student Guide

The UCR Library provides a full range of services, resources, and assistance for UCR students. We are dedicated to your success! 

Whether you are new to UCR or a returning student who just needs a refresher, use this page as a guide on how to use the library. 

Use our website: library.ucr.edu 

Your R’Card is your library card 

  • Use your R’Card (your Student ID Card) to check out books and other library resources and technology.  

Print, Copy, Scan 

Research resources 

  • When it comes time to research, don’t start at Google, start at UC Library Search. You can also see all the databases we offer the UCR community directly at our A-Z Databases webpage. We also offer curated Research Guides and Subject Guides that are prepared by library staff and list library resources by topic. Do not forget to use the campus VPN so you can access library resources like journals and databases from off-campus. 

How to find course reserve items 

  • Your course instructor can place materials like textbooks on course reserve. You can borrow course reserve materials for short periods of time as an alternative to purchasing books. To find course reserve material, visit search.library.ucr.edu (UC Library Search) then click “Course Reserve” at the top. Type in your instructor’s name, the item you are looking for, or your class name. Once you find your item, note the call number and head over to the circulation desk with your R’Card to retrieve the item.  

Study Spaces 

  • We offer several types of study spaces in both of our libraries. You can study in one of our open study spaces or book a group study or gaming room. Learn more at our Study Spaces webpage. 

Ask us! 

  • We have library staff available to answer your questions via text, email, or through the Chat with Us feature on our website. You can also request a one-on-one consultation with a librarian if you need assistance with a research project. Visit our Ask Us webpage for more details. 

Creat’R Lab 

  • As a UCR student, you have access to the Creat’R Lab. The Creat’R Lab is an inclusive, state-of-the-art makerspace open to the UCR community. The Creat’R Lab offers 3D printing, sewing machines, virtual reality, media equipment, and more! See all that the Creat’R Lab has to offer on our Creat’R Lab Makerspace webpage 

Free workshops and meetups 

  • The UCR Library holds free workshops and meetups every quarter. Learn about digital scholarship, GIS, take one of our Creat’R Lab workshops, and more. Visit ucrlibrary.eventbrite.com to see what workshops are available and to RSVP. You can also view recordings of our past workshops on our YouTube page 

Access our leisure reading collection online  

  • You can access books from our leisure reading collection and thousands of magazines for free via the Libby app or visit ucr.overdrive.com. 

Finals Week Stress Relief  

  • The UCR Library holds a series of fun stress relief activities during finals week called Finals Week Stress Relief. Past events include snack giveaways, therapy dogs, and craft events. You can also access a list of remote-friendly stress relief activities on the library’s Activities webpage all year long.  

Poster Printing Service

  • We offer poster printing services (by appointment only). Pay using Bear Bucks. Find out more, or make an appointment, by visiting our Poster Printing page

The resources and services listed above are just a sample of what we offer UCR students. If you have any questions on additional services or different ways we can support you, feel free to ask us! To learn even more about the UCR Library, check out the links listed on this page under Related Information.