Navigating Knowledge: A Comprehensive Guide to Sacramento State University Library Resources

Sacramento State University Library stands as a cornerstone of academic life, providing a vast array of resources to support students, faculty, and the broader community. From its humble beginnings sharing quarters with Sacramento City College to its current status as a multi-building complex housing millions of items, the library has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of its users. This article delves into the diverse resources available, both on-site and online, ensuring that users can effectively navigate and utilize the library's extensive offerings.

A Historical Overview of the Library

The Sacramento State University Library has a rich history, reflecting the growth and evolution of the university itself. Established in September 1947, the Library initially shared space with Sacramento City College. A significant milestone was reached in 1953 with the construction of a two-story library near Sacramento Hall. This new facility housed 30,000 volumes and was staffed by 15 individuals under the direction of Alan D.

Continued growth necessitated expansion, and in 1959, a third story was added, increasing the building's capacity by 125,000 volumes. Perry D. Morrison assumed the role of Librarian in 1963, followed by Gordon Martin in 1966, who oversaw the construction of a new, larger library building.

In 1975, Library I, a six-story building, opened its doors, providing 150,000 assignable square feet of space and a capacity of 500,000 volumes. Further expansion came in 1990 with the addition of Library II, a four-story building that added 88,000 assignable square feet. This expansion included the installation of a large compact storage unit in the Library I lower level, enhancing collection space.

Patricia Larsen was appointed Dean and Director in 1997. During her tenure, the library saw the consolidation of three reference desks into a single general area. This period also marked a shift towards increased access to remote collections, with a dramatic increase in full-text journals and other resources acquired through electronic databases. By the late 1990s, the library subscribed to several hundred databases. Major acquisitions during this time include the John E.

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Terry D. Webb became Dean and Director in 2002. At the beginning of the new millennium, the library officially held over 1.2 million volumes, non-print media, and millions of microforms. In 2002, another 30-computer lab teaching room was added.

On-Site Resources and Services

Sacramento State University Library offers a wide array of on-site resources and services designed to support the academic endeavors of students and faculty.

Physical Collections

The library boasts an extensive collection of physical materials, including books, journals, and other resources. These collections are carefully curated to support the diverse academic programs offered at the university.

Study Spaces

The library provides a variety of study spaces to accommodate different learning styles. These include individual study carrels, group study rooms, and quiet reading areas. These spaces provide environments conducive to focused work and collaboration. Study Rooms for Doctorate Students are also available.

Technology Resources

In addition to physical resources, the library offers access to a range of technology resources, including computers, printers, and scanners. These resources are essential for students and faculty engaged in research and academic work. In 2002, another 30-computer lab teaching room was added.

Special Collections

The library is home to several special collections, including the Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection, a premier Greek research collection with over 75,000 volumes, ephemera, and artwork, the largest of its kind in the Nation. The Department of Special Collections and University Archives also holds unique and valuable materials.

The Joe Serna, Jr. Center

The Center opened in 2003 and was named after the late Sacramento Mayor and Sac State professor Joe Serna, Jr. and the late university administrator and Ethnic Studies professor Isabella Hernandez Serna. The Center's mission is to encourage policy and political knowledge, activism and engagement, student access and excellence, and community service.

The Tea Room

The Tea Room on the ground floor of the library was an anonymous donor gift to the university, by someone wishing to honor their late mother who practiced and taught the art of chadō. Included in the donation was the mother's collection of teaware utensils and ceramics.

University Art Gallery

Founded in 2002, the gallery displays work by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, including alumni and faculty. It also serves as a venue for recitals, readings, and other academic activities for the School of the Arts.

Access to Other Campus Resources

The Sacramento State campus provides numerous resources for students and instructors beyond the library.

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ASI Food Pantry

The ASI Food Pantry provides food and basic necessities to Sac State students facing financial hardships and low food security at no cost. Students enrolled in classes can shop once each week with their OneCard or make an after-hours locker order online. Offerings include non-perishables, toiletries, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

Services for Students with Disabilities

To apply for accommodations, students must first contact their Program Coordinator for a referral to DAC.

Transportation and Parking

Parking is enforced at all times by UTAPS. Daily permits can be purchased from kiosks throughout the campus. Students may ride Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) services, including the light rail, by presenting a valid Sacramento State OneCard and student commuter sleeve, costing $40. The OneCard is the official photo identification card for students, which can be loaded with funds for campus purchases.

Wireless Networking

Wireless networking is available in most areas across campus.

Veteran’s Affairs Benefits

Some College of Continuing Education programs are eligible for Veteran’s Affairs benefits.

Peak Adventures

Peak Adventures is an outdoor recreation program dedicated to introducing individuals to outdoor adventures.

Services Not Available to CCE Students

CCE students do not pay Mandatory Campus Fees, therefore some university services are not available to them, including Student Health & Counseling Services and student membership at The Well. However, CCE students may contact The Well to inquire about purchasing an affiliate membership.

Online Resources and Databases

Sacramento State University Library provides access to a vast collection of online resources and databases, catering to a wide range of research needs. These resources are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, providing users with unparalleled flexibility and convenience.

Academic Search Complete

A collection of peer-reviewed, full-text journals, including many journals indexed in leading citation indexes.

AI and Libraries

This collection includes a variety of resources relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and libraries, including the role AI plays in optimizing library operations and serving communities. The resources are intended to help the library community and vested partners learn and stay informed about artificial intelligence and libraries, including Generative, Descriptive, and Discriminative AI.

American History in Video

Includes 1,600 total hours of streaming video content, more than half being contemporaneous video from the 1890s to the 1980s. The early newsreels capture history as it was made and reported to viewers of the time. and U.K.

Ancestry Library Edition

Contains approximately 4,000 databases for genealogical and historical research.

APA PsycArticles

Connects researchers to current full-text journal articles written by esteemed scholars from psychology and the behavioral and social sciences.

ASTM Compass

A vast collection of industry-leading standards and technical information produced by the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM International).

Britannica School

An up-to-date and age-appropriate information resource for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Business Source Complete

Contains full-text journals in all business disciplines.

California Ballot Propositions Database

A comprehensive, searchable source of information on California ballot propositions and initiatives from 1911 to the present.

California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC)

Note: Access to the California Digital Newspaper Collection may be intermittently unavailable due to restructuring at the UC Riverside Center for Biographical Studies where it is housed. If you are a State Employee in need of resources, please submit your request to Ask a Librarian. The California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC) is a Center for Bibliographical Studies and Research (CBSR) project at the University of California, Riverside. The CDNC is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. This collection contains 907,305 issues comprising 11,278,441 pages and 49,868,600 articles. The content of this collection includes a 3-year embargo when accessing it offsite.

California Open Data Portal

Find public data collected by the State of California on topics such as public finances, health care, fire protection, corrections, wildlife, motor vehicles, and more.

California Research Bureau (CRB)

The California Research Bureau (CRB) provides nonpartisan research services to the Governor and his staff, to both houses of the legislature, and to other state elected officials.

CEB OnLAW

OnLAW is an online database of titles published by CEB, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the University of California. CEB titles are California-specific and include practice guides with in-depth legal analysis, forms, and step-by-step action guides.

City and County Directories

The California State Library's California History Room has city and county directories in several formats: paper, microfilm, and microfiche.

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a federal legislative branch agency located within the Library of Congress, exclusively serves congressional committees and members of Congress. CRS reports provide Congress with both anticipatory and on-demand research and analysis to support their legislative, oversight, and representational duties.

Data.gov

Find public data collected by the United States Government on topics such as public finances, health, agriculture, energy, transportation, climate, and more. Also includes data collected by some state and local governments, including the State of California.

Directory of Open Access Journals

Free, full-text scholarly articles from hundreds of universities and colleges worldwide.

Digital Democracy

Digital Democracy is a CalMatters project using technology and data to increase transparency, accountability and understanding about California state legislators and the decisions they make about state policy.

Digital Sanborn Maps, 1867-1970

Provides detailed maps of U.S. towns and cities across a century of change. The maps provide a wealth of information, such as building outline, size and shape, windows and doors, street and sidewalk widths, boundaries, and property numbers.

DSM Library

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Healthcare professionals use DSM handbooks as the authoritative guide to diagnosing mental disorders. It provides a common language for providers to communicate about their patients and reliable diagnoses, which can be used in researching mental disorders.

Easy Voter Guide

Nonpartisan information about why vote, how to vote and what's on the ballot.

Ebook Central

Ebook Central contains ebooks from Proquest's Academic Complete and DEI collection of approximately 225,000+ titles.

EBSCO Open Dissertations

An open-access database built to assist researchers in locating both historic and contemporary dissertations and theses.

EBSCO Discovery Service

Search a single database or multiple EBSCO databases at once.

Education Source

Spans all levels of education from early childhood to higher education and also includes educational specialties such as multilingual education, health education and testing. Contains more than 2.4 million records from more than 2,200 domestic and international titles going back to 1888 (including over 1,350 active core titles) as well as more than 190 monographs.

ERIC

Free access to more than 1.2 million bibliographic records of journal articles and other education-related materials and, if available, includes links to full text.

Ethnic NewsWatch

Full text access to 240 state, national and international newspapers, magazines and journals of the ethnic, minority and native press.

FiscalNote State

A subscription service of the National Governor's Association and the National Conference of State Legislators. Tracks the fiscal impact of federal budget and policy decisions on state budgets and programs. A database of more than 200 federal grant-in-aid programs provides detailed information on federal funds available to California.

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