Why You Should Use the GCU Library

By Dana Shreve
MLIS, MS, Reference Manager
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gcu library

You will find that your GCU assignments require you to use the Grand Canyon University Library. Why? You know how to use Google, right? Put in your topic in the search bar and BAM! Websites by the millions! You might even use Google Scholar, just to refine the search to articles instead of websites. So, why isn’t that good enough for your assignment?

Here a just a few reasons why the GCU Library has what you need:

Free Full Text Articles
The library has 99 databases and millions of journal articles free for you to use. If you were to continue to search on Google, they may request that you pay for an article.

Different Types of Articles
Need to have an article that is peer reviewed or scholarly or research based? Well, you can’t sort your results by those types in Google or Google Scholar. In the library databases, you have options to limit and filter your results to what the assignment requirements are.

Thousands of eBooks
The library has over 150,000 of eBooks available for use 24/7. To view the library catalog (LopeCat), click on ‘Find Books & More,’ Enter your topic and click search.

Experts in Finding Information
There is a staff of reference librarians with their masters degrees here for you, ready to answer any question you may have. They are experts in finding information. Let them help you choose the best database and keywords for your research question.

There is a librarian available seven days a week

  • Contact by phone: Monday-Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
    • Toll free 1.800.800.9776 ext. 6396641
  • You can chat with us Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • You can email us 24/7
  • You can come to the library, third and fourth floors of the Student Union: Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.-12 a.m., Friday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Citation Creation
Not only do the library databases help with creating your references in APA, MLA or Turabian, but so can the librarians. Need to cite a webpage, interview, line from a movie? No problem! View the citing sources guide by going to https://library.gcu.edu and click on ‘Citation Guidelines’ from the left menu.

A Rule to Remember
If you spend more than 15-20 minutes searching, stop and give us a call; we’re happy to help you with any question you may have!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.