Back to School: 300-plus databases available at the library

Bizzell Memorial Library houses rental copies of textbooks from the commonly taken classes and fields a staff of librarians to help students navigate its shelves, a library spokeswoman said.

With more than 300 databases available, students might find themselves overwhelmed by the library and its vast collection of resources, so that’s why the library employs people to help, library spokeswoman Sarah Robbins said.

“The most important things freshmen need to know about are our librarians,” Robbins said.

They all have their own reference expertise and are available for one-on-one appointments to aid students in their research, she said.

Students can access online databases, such as Lexis Nexus, through the library’s website. Many of the databases are organized by subject.

Another tool for conducting research is the Interlibrary Loan service.

“The Interlibrary Loan is a service that will obtain books, article photocopies and other materials not owned by [OU] libraries,” according to the library website.

Another service students should know about is the Got Textbooks? Program, Robbins said.

This program offers two-hour in-library rentals of high-cost text books in high-enrollment classes that many freshmen are likely to take, she said.

According to the library’s website, the library has the most copies of the textbook for the four Calculus and Analytical Geometry classes, followed by the book for Organic Chemistry and the textbook for Introduction to Psychology.

“This can really help cut down on costs for students and parents,” she said.

Also, it is useful for between classes so students don’t have to lug around textbooks, Robbins said.

Robbins said she recommends students find their own place in the library that they like.

Her favorite spots are the study rooms on the third floor, she said.

The library also houses special collections students can use for research.

One such collection is the Bizzell Bible Collection, which contains 665 different Bibles in languages from Greek to Cherokee.

The collection is located in the Gaylord Room of the Bizzell Memorial Library.

The History of Science collection also is among the special collections, along with the Bass Business, Nichols and Western History collections.

There also are branch libraries on campus that are available to students.

These include the architecture library, the fine arts library, the engineering library, the physics and astronomy library, and the Youngblood Energy Library.

Wesley Wehde

Wesley is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter.