Conquering Call Numbers!
I've got a call #, now what?
Click the link below for more information.
Librarian
Recommended Starting Resources
Compiled list of recommended library materials, including books, articles, newspapers, films, and more! These resources will be great for starting your search for quality resources related to your chosen topic.
When browsing these resources, you can use keywords and subject headings related to your topic to see if a source has any relevant materials.
If none of these resources work for your topic, you can go to the Troubleshooting page to help adjust your search, or go to library.vanderbilt.edu to search across the entire university library collections.
- Library Catalog
Check out the Library Search which finds print and electronic items, including journal and newspaper articles, book chapters, books, reviews, legal documents, and much more. Note: Due to licensing restrictions, some content is only available to current students, faculty, and staff.
Icon "Find book" courtesy of Gregor Cresnar from the Noun Project.
- EconLit with Full Text This link opens in a new window
Comprehensive, indexed bibliography with selected abstracts of the world's economic literature, produced by the American Economic Association. Includes working papers which have been licensed from the Cambridge University Press.
- National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Papers and Publications This link opens in a new windowNational Bureau of Economic Research makes results of research available in preliminary form to encourage discussion and suggestions for revision before publication.
- Environmental Studies and Policy This link opens in a new windowScholarly journals, magazines, and other reference sources covering environmental issues and policies. Perspectives from the scientific community, governmental policymakers, and corporate interests.
- Gale In Context: Environmental Studies This link opens in a new windowInterdisciplinary resource for environmental and sustainability studies. Content includes reference works, case studies, multimedia materials, academic journals, newspapers, and magazines. Explore issues and events through topic, organization, and country portals.
- Environment Complete This link opens in a new windowJournals and monographs covering agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, public policy, sustainability and other related subjects.
- AGRICOLA This link opens in a new window
National Agricultural Library's catalog. Publications and resources encompassing all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines, including animal and veterinary sciences, entomology, plant sciences, forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, farming and farming systems, agricultural economics, extension and education, food and human nutrition, and earth and environmental sciences.
- IMF eLibrary This link opens in a new window
Books, periodicals, working papers, and country reports on the International Monetary Fund's activities, policies, and member countries.
- ICPSR: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research This link opens in a new window
Social science data for research and instruction along with access to special topic archives sponsored by agencies outside ICPSR, including the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data & the International Archive of Education Data.
- IMF eLibrary - Data This link opens in a new windowInternational statistics related to domestic and international finance. International payments, rates of inflation & deflation, exchange rates, international liquidity, international banking, monetary policy, interest rates, etc. Includes Government Finance Statistics (GFS), Balance of Payments Statistics (BOPS), Direction of Trade Statistics (DOTS), Trade and Investment, and International Financial Statistics (IFS).
- IPUMSIPUMS provides census and survey data from around the world integrated across time and space. IPUMS integration and documentation makes it easy to study change, conduct comparative research, merge information across data types, and analyze individuals within family and community contexts. Data and services available free of charge.
- Environmental Protection Agency: EPAEPA data is organized by topic to help users find the information they need. Discover data on topics like air, water, land, chemicals and much more. The data is free to use and access.
- USDA - National Agricultural Statistic ServiceComprehensive tool for accessing agricultural data published by NASS. Find and download agricultural statistics for every state and county in the United States.
- EIU Country Report.Country Report (1996 - present) - each quarterly main report analyzes key political and economic changes in recent months and includes a two-year forecast. Monthly updates for larger countries.
Country Profile (1996 - 2008) - annual profile of a country's economic and political background and situation. *Discontinued February 2009; see Country Report after 2008.* - IMF Country Profiles.Financial & economic information on the IMF's 185 member countries, usually back to 1997.
- World Bank Country Profiles.Overview of economic conditions with forecasts, projects & programs, research, news & views, and data.
- PolicyMap This link opens in a new window
Data and mapping tool that provides access to over 15,000 indicators related to demographics, housing, crime, mortgages, health, jobs and more. Data is available at all common geographies (address, block group, census tract, zip code, county, city, state, MSA) as well as unique geographies like school districts and political boundaries. Create, save, download, customized maps and tables, or upload your own data to map.
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new window
Current and historical census data and demographic information: US Census, American Community Survey, religious membership, carbon emissions data, etc. Customizable maps, charts, and reports.
- SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new windowA mapping, analytics, and data visualization application that makes it easy for anyone to create interactive maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing variables.
Other LibGuides for more in-depth GIS information:
What is Interlibrary loan (ILL?)
- A free service for requesting materials that are not available at Vanderbilt.
- Facilitates access to books, journal articles, and other items that a library would typically loan like theses and DVDs.
How long does it take?
- Journal articles: Requests are usually filled in 48 hours, but budget 3 business days to be safe.
- Books: Requests can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Rare or hard to find items may take longer.
Who can make an ILL request?
- Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students.
How do I submit a request?
- Login to your ILL account with your VUnet ID and password and select the appropriate request form from the New Requests menu.
- Or, initiate your request from the library catalog using the link available in the "How to get it" section of the item record.
- Please provide as much detailed information as possible about the item you are requesting.
- If available, please provide the following:
- An ISBN number for book requests
- A DOI number for journal article requests.
- If available, please provide the following:
Who do I contact if I have a problem or question about my request?
- ILL is a service provided by the Resource Sharing Services department at the Vanderbilt Libraries
- Contact Resource Sharing Services
What is scan and deliver?
- A free service for requesting book chapter and article scans from print books and journals available at Vanderbilt.
- You can also request scans for content available on microfilm.
- Sometimes also called document delivery.
How long does it take?
- All requests are usually fulfilled within 3 business days.
How do I submit a request?
- Start your request by searching for your item in the Library Catalog.
- Don't forget to sign into your Library Account, just look for yellow bar for the sign in link.
- Don't forget to sign into your Library Account, just look for yellow bar for the sign in link.
- After logging in, you should see a Request chapter/article scan link in the Location Items section of the record
- The Request chapter/article scan link will prompt you to login to your resource sharing account using your VUnet ID.
- The request form will auto-populate with basic information about the source material. Please supplement additional details
- Article/ chapter title.
- Page numbers.
- Year and volume and issue numbers for journal articles.
- Please include as much detail as possible to help us locate the correct sections needing to be scanned.
Is there a page limit for scans?
- Individual requests should be 100 pages or less.
- Please note that we are unable to scan entire books due to our page limit as well as copyright restrictions.
Who do I contact if I have a problem or question about my request?
- Scan and deliver is a service provided by the Resource Sharing Services department at the Vanderbilt Libraries
- Contact Resource Sharing Services
