While remote access to library databases is limited, there are many resources available online and the following guide outlines how to connect to research databases and open educational resources. Graduate Center Librarian Mason Brown is available for your questions, his email address is mbrown3@gc.cuny.edu.
Please peruse The Graduate Center’s Open Access and Open Educational Resources Libguides:
- GC Library Research Guides: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/.
- Open Access: http://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/openaccess.
- Open Educational Resources: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/OER.
- GC Research Guide on E-book Collections: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/ebooks.
- Resources from other library networks in NYC, like NYPL: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/MaRLI.
Other Open Educational Resources:
- ProjectMUSE is offering free resources during COVID-19 through 80 participating publishers (at the discretion of the individual publishers), more details and the portal can be found here: https://about.muse.jhu.edu/resources/freeresourcescovid19/.
- See this crowd-sourced document, of particular note is the tab named “Open Educational Resources” (at the bottom of your browser window): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AtREaTOY74xqPsgz8No8GMtSvn-40Y3KFVOM9hixGRM/edit?usp=sharing.
- In the bottom left corner of this page, see the listed Newspaper Databases that might be useful in your research; and on the right bottom of that page: New Directions for Adult & Continuing Education under “Other Resources of Interest to Educators and Administrators.”
- Unfortunately, the information on the tab on the top of the main page labeled “Library Resources” does not apply to LP2 members because a CUNY Login credentials are necessary (as opposed to your Graduate Center email)
New York Public Library (NYPL):
- NYPL has made several research databases available to cardholders during this lockdown period. If you are not currently a cardholder, you can apply for a digital NYPL card online.
- How to Access the NYPL’s Digital Resources 24/7: https://www.nypl.org/about/remote-resources. Manage your online account, access e-books and e-audiobooks, search digital collections, access magazines and newspapers, stream music, learn a new language, take online courses, and explore career resources. Link to community support resources and remote learning resources for kids, teens, and educators. Also available en español.
- Databases available remotely through NYPL include JSTOR, EBSCO, ThomsonGale (Gale), ProjectMUSE, ProQuest Research Library, and many others. See this page: https://www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases to find the database you are looking for, click the one you want to access, and you will then be prompted to log in with your NYPL barcode and pin before being brought to the database.
- Tip: When logging in to the JSTOR database with your NYPL account membership (barcode) number, do not include the spaces that are printed on your NYPL card.
- Research at NYPL Email Updates: https://pages.email.nypl.org/researchupdates. Subscribe to receive information about NYPL’s research collections, services, and programs via
- NYPL E-book central:?https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral.
- NYPL offers remote access to portions of its vast research collections via
Scan & Deliver, their electronic document delivery service. Cardholders can request selections from books or articles from scholarly journals, NYPL’s manuscript, archive, prints and photograph collections and the Library will scan and deliver them via email: https://www.nypl.org/research/scan-and-deliver. Researchers may request scans of up to 25 pages for delivery in 6-8 weeks.
- Virtual Research Consultations: https://www.nypl.org/research/appointments. You can book a virtual consultation with a librarian from one of the following research centers while the physical spaces are closed:
- Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
- The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
- Business Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
- Research Books by Mail: https://www.nypl.org/node/573728. A service being offered during the closure of the research libraries’ physical spaces that provides select items by mail to eligible borrowers. Use your GC email address to request items.
- Grab-and-Go Service for Circulating Books: https://www.nypl.org/about/grab-and-go. A socially distanced checkout service that allows patrons to pick up and return requested items at selected NYPL branches.
- Frequently Asked Questions on Reopening Physical Locations at NYPL: https://www.nypl.org/about/coronavirus/reopening-faq. Up-to-date information on NYPL’s available services and gradual reopening.
- Ask NYPL: https://www.nypl.org/get-help/contact-us. NYPL’s virtual reference and support desk may be reached by email, chat, or phone. You may also reach out to ref@gc.cuny.edu or via live chat to consult a GC Librarian anytime.
If you do not reside in New York City or state, check out what is available in your area. NJ State Public Library Network also has a number of resources, for example.
Library Resources Workshop with GC Librarian Mason Brown:
Recording and links
The Curriculum Committee’s first Library Resources Workshop was led by Mason Brown, the Graduate Center Library’s designated liaison with LP2. Mason structured the Workshop around easing LP2 members’ difficulty with accessing Library resources remotely. The full Workshop was recorded for those who missed it or want to review it. To view the recording, click here.
Library Resources Referenced in the Workshop (all are listed earlier in this document):
- GC Library Research Guides: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/.
- Open Education Resources page: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/OER.
- Outside CUNY/NYPL page: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/MaRLI.
- NYPL Databases from Home Page: https://www.nypl.org/about/remote-research-resources.
- NYPL E-book central: https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral.
- GC Research Guide on E-book Collections: https://libguides.gc.cuny.edu/ebooks.
You can keep a list of questions, suggestions, etc. for the next workshop or e-mail Mason directly. He is available to answer questions about anything library and research related. His contact information is below.
Mason Brown, MS MLS
Science Research Librarian
CUNY Grad Center / ASRC / SLU