Fulbright Resources

Before you visit any library for research:

1.  Check their website to see what their visitor policy is, and
2. Check their collections (use their catalog) to see if they have what you need.

Libraries can differ greatly around the world. Here are some things to consider:

• Libraries may only be open to researchers, not for study space (check the library's website before you go);
• You will be unlikely to check out materials (unless your Study Abroad site has made special arrangements);
• Many libraries do not allow wireless or computer access for visitors;
• Not every database to which a library subscribes will be available to visitors;
• Many academic libraries are decentralized, with specific libraries for departments or residential colleges;
• Most libraries have "closed stacks", meaning that you will need to request an item to be paged in order to view it;
• Materials may be organized in different ways (e.g. different classification systems);
• Libraries may not have online catalogs or reference services;
• There may be fees for services or access;
• Most materials will not be online (this is also true in the U.S.).

Preparing for Overseas Research
In a three part webinar series, UChicago librarians Laura Ring and David Woken provide strategies for locating and using research collections (libraries, archives, museums) abroad, as well as how to anticipate and prepare for the pragmatic challenges of research while overseas.

• Introduction (1:18) (Links to an external site.)
• Finding Collections Abroad (18:01) (Links to an external site.)
• Using Collections Abroad (16:22) (Links to an external site.)
• Pragmatic Challenges of Fieldwork (13:23)