I’m tired of Bruin One Access. What about you?
While Bruin One Access is advertised as a cost-friendly way to get your class materials, it still adds another expense to an already costly college education. Meanwhile, UCLA Library offers free (and often overlooked) resources. Next quarter, instead of opting into Bruin One Access, try using UC Library Search and Interlibrary Loan to find your class materials at no cost!
When you begin your search for a book, the first step is always to check UCLA’s online library catalog. Simply search “UCLA Library Catalog” on any search engine, and it should be the first option. From there, you can start browsing! Say I need Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for a class. I would search the title in the catalog and look for an available copy at one of the many libraries on campus.
Once you find a copy you’d like to check out, refer to its call number and listed location to find it on the shelves. For example, Powell Library has a copy of Pride and Prejudice with the call number “PR 4034 P7 2008.” These numbers are on the spine of every book, so from this information I know that Pride and Prejudice will be in the “P” section of the Powell Stacks. When in doubt, refer to the staff at the circulation desk! They can assist with any questions you may have on your search.
UCLA Library is committed to making book lending a positive experience, and the staff members try to make it as convenient as possible for patrons. Once you’ve obtained a book from one of the UCLA libraries and are ready to return it, any library on campus can take the book as a return, even if it wasn’t the library you originally checked it out from. Additionally, many of the libraries have overnight book drops if you aren’t able to make it during their open hours.
If the book you need isn’t available through the libraries on campus, don’t worry! UCLA Library, and other libraries across the country, participate in the Interlibrary Loan program (ILL). This program allows students and patrons of the library to request any book from another institution and have it sent to a library on campus, such as Young Research Library or Powell. To submit an ILL, go to the UCLA Library Catalog website, click the three dots in the corner, and hit “ILL Request.”
One important thing to know when submitting an ILL is to be very specific about the information you provide if you’re looking for a particular book. The more information you provide about the book, the more likely you’ll receive exactly the copy you’re looking for.Â
If you have questions about the resources UCLA Library offers, the staff at its circulation desks can help you navigate the available services. If you’re tired of Bruin One Access like me, take advantage of the free resources available on campus! Spreading the word about these services helps make sure more students know they exist and can benefit from them.