With more than 3 million books; an exceptional collection of scholarly databases, journals, archival materials; and a host of academic and research services, the Library is here to support you during your time at Georgetown. But it can be overwhelming for new Hoyas. Here are some steps you can take today to start to take advantage of everything the Library has to offer.
- Learn the Basics: Our Welcome to the Libraries and How Libraries Work guides are great places to start, with a video tour of the library, an overview of how to find what you’re looking for, and an introduction to the research process. See our Library Floor Maps and our Call Number Locations to get your bearings when you’re ready to explore in person. Want to dig deeper? Check out our Undergraduate and Graduate student homepages!
- Attend a Library workshop: Our fall workshop schedule includes sessions on research skills, digital mapping, data analysis and visualization, podcasting, video production, Maker Hub tools and technologies, and more. All workshops are free to the Georgetown community. See the full schedule.
- Schedule a research consultation: Our research services librarians are experts in the Library resources available on the topic you’re studying. As soon as you get your first research assignment, schedule an appointment for a research consultation to learn how to search the Library’s millions of resources effectively and where you can find the most important resources for your topic. You can also schedule a research consultation with our Digital Scholarship Services team to help with digital projects like data visualization, podcasting, or video production.
- Visit the Maker Hub: The Maker Hub is located on the first floor of Lau and has a variety of resources including a laser cutter, 3D printers, a woodshop, a bookbinding station, and more. Visit the Maker Hub from 3–8 p.m. Monday–Thursday, noon–5 p.m. Friday or 1–5p.m. Saturday. Or develop a new skill at one of the Maker Hub workshops.
- Follow the Library: Keep up-to-date on the latest news and information from the Library by following us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. We regularly post news, photos, and lots of interesting Georgetown history.
- Explore the Booth Family Center for Special Collections: The Library has a large collection of rare and unique materials in the Booth Family Center for Special Collections, most of which are available for research. If you’re taking a class requiring original research this semester, take a few moments to explore Special Collections, which includes the University Archives, Rare Books, Manuscripts, and the University Art Collection. And don’t forget to check out the exhibitions on the Library’s fifth and third floors and online that feature library materials.
- Learn a new skill with LinkedIn Learning: Want to become a master public speaker or an Excel ninja? Log in to LinkedIn Learning with your Georgetown NetID and password to find thousands of video tutorials on technology, professional, and creative skills.
- Reserve a private Library space: The second floor of Lau is a fantastic study space for collaborative learning, but if Lau 2 isn't your scene, you can book a group study room or an individual study room instead. If you're working on a media assignment or just want to get creative, you can reserve a multimedia editing room or use a multimedia computer in the Gelardin Open Computing Area on Lau 1.
- Break through journal and database paywalls: Install Lean Library, a browser extension that will allow you to access paywalled research journals and databases that the Library subscribes to—even if you’re not on campus or not finding them through the Library’s website.