HKS Library News

Do your New Year’s resolutions include getting organized and saving time? Start using Zotero:

Our hands-on Zotero workshops begin this week and continue throughout the semester. See our Workshop Schedule. As noted, please RSVP to attend.

If you are unable to attend a workshop, contact us to schedule an individual appointment to get started and consult our Zotero: Getting Started guide. Also, if you have questions about using Zotero, stop by or contact us for assistance. Your questions are always welcome! Research assistance is available Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Over the past couple of weeks we have hosted our Beyond Harvard: Public Policy Research as HKS Alumni workshops in the library. Thanks to all who have attended. It has been so inspiring to hear about the work our HKS students will continue upon graduation to solve critical public issues.

Due to popular demand, we will be hosting this 30-minute workshop two more times:

Where: HKS Library Instruction Room (Littauer G14)

When:

• Friday, May 20th at 2 p.m.
• Monday, May 23rd at 2 p.m.

If you can’t make a scheduled workshop, consult our Beyond Harvard: Public Policy Research as HKS Alumni research guide, and please contact us to find out more about library resources available to you as alumni.

• ASK US! – We’re here Monday-Friday, 9-5.
• Email: library_research@hks.harvard.edu

As commencement approaches, we want to emphasize that HKS Library and Knowledge Services can serve as an important resource to you even after you graduate. Alumni have access to a number of databases including several with full-text scholarly articles and books. You may borrow books in-person with an HKS Alumni Library Card and access all Harvard-wide databases using our on-site guest computers. HKS librarians are also still here to help you and have created Beyond Harvard: Public Policy Research as HKS Alumni as a starting point.

Attend a 30-minute workshop this month to learn more about these resources:

Where: HKS Library Instruction Room (Littauer G14)

When:

• Wednesday, May 11th at 12 p.m.
• Friday, May 13th at 12 p.m.
• Monday, May 16th at 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 18th at 3:30 p.m.

No registration required. Space is limited so attendance is first come, first served. If you are unable to attend these workshops, please e-mail library_research@hks.harvard.edu to make individual or group appointments with a member of our research staff.

In addition to individual and group research consultations to help you with your online research, we are happy to announce library workshops taking place this month:

Finding Reliable Evidence Online

When: March 8^th from 4-5:30 p.m.

Where: Starr Auditorium

Why: Of course you know how to search online for data. But there are more efficient and less efficient ways to identify appropriate evidence, and there are more and less reliable sources. This session will improve your ability to structure an efficient search for appropriate and reliable evidence to inform policy analysis. Linda Rosen and Keely Wilczek from HKS Library & Knowledge Services will offer research guidance and an tour of top online resources.

Who: Public Policy Students – This workshop is designed specifically for API 505M: Fundamentals of Policy Analysis and Decision Making, a core course in the HKS Master in Public Policy program. No registration required.

UNABRIDGED: A Library Research Master Class

When: March 14^th-17^th (Spring Recess), Monday-Thursday: 1:00-4:30 + Friday optional bonus sessions

Where: Room B-30, Lamont Library

Why: Do you ever feel as though you’re seeing only part of the picture? This library master class offers you a chance to explore the full research lifecycle and set yourself up for a lifelong scholarly practice–making you a more effective, resourceful, and creative researcher. Skills covered include choosing the best database for a given research task, approaching unfamiliar interfaces with confidence and courage, optimizing your search strategies and more. Registration is required and is limited to 25 spaces. RSVP here.

Who: Graduate Students and Postdocs

Already using Zotero and curious about its advanced features and how others fit these into their workflows? Connect with Harvard Librarians and other researchers this Thursday at 3 p.m. in room B30 of Lamont Library. Registration is required. For more information and to register see the event on the Harvard Library Calendar.

We will resume Zotero workshops at HKS Library on Friday, January 29th.  If you are unable to attend any of our workshops, please e-mail library_research@hks.harvard.edu to make individual or group appointments. You can also get started by using Zotero: A How-To Guide.