2023-2024
Welcome to the Cluster Program, new Bruins! The UCLA Library is here to aid in your academic endeavors. Your Peer Research & Writing Specialist and Library Liaison are here for you too!
Here, you'll learn about:
- Introduction: The History of Powell + the Cluster Program
- Getting Started with the Library: Physical Technology, Software, and Applications
- Finding Support: Getting to Know Your Peer Research & Writing Specialists
- Accessing Resources: Research & Writing Support
- More Resources
Let's get going!
1. Introduction
The History of Powell Library
The first two buildings constructed at UCLA were Powell Library and Royce Hall. Each building was inspired by LA’s picturesque landscape and similarity to northern Italy, and George W. Kelman and David Allison modeled the buildings based on several Italian churches and basilicas. After the 1994 earthquake, careful and meticulous restoration ensured that Powell continues to be a multifunctional centerpiece of UCLA.
The Cluster Program
The UCLA Cluster Program is an innovative initiative designed to help freshmen successfully transition to UCLA. They are year-long, collaboratively taught, interdisciplinary and open to entering freshmen only. They offer 4 GE Credits, 18 units towards your degree, 3 quarters of honors credit, and a Learning Community, where you can build relationships with your fellow students, your TAs and your faculty.
2. Getting Started with the Library
CLICC (Campus Library Instructional Computing Commons) provides one week laptop lending. While supplies last, students can check out a laptop for a week (Mac or PC).
Short-term laptop circulation is also available. In Young Research Library, the laptop lending is located in the first floor Research Commons. In Powell Library, laptop lending is located on the first floor Night Powell.
If you are on campus, you'll automatically have access to UCLA Library resources when you use a campus internet connection. If you are off campus, you can still access millions of resources paid for by UCLA Library! You just need to set up the UCLA VPN.
Once you configure your computer for off-campus access to UCLA Library resources using a VPN or Proxy, you'll be able to access e-books, articles, music, videos, and more! Please visit our Remote Access guide for getting VPN configured with VPN or Proxy. We have instructional videos on setting up VPN for Mac and Windows.
For Windows
For Mac
Zoom is the video conferencing platform for almost all synchronous, virtual classes at UCLA. It's a really useful application and through your UCLA login you automatically have a licensed account!
3. Finding Support
Getting to Know Your Peer Research & Writing Specialist
Library Liaisons
Each Cluster course has a Library Liaison assigned to it. Library Liaisons are librarians who provide course-specific assistance with library resources. They work in conjunction with your course's Peer Research & Writing Specialist to ensure that your Cluster experience is as fruitful as possible.
Here's how you can contact your library liaison:
- Custer M1: Food - A Lens for Environment and Sustainability - Alexandra Solodkaya // asolodkaya@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 10: Ashley Peterson // ashleypeterson@library.ucla.edu // Caitlin Hunter // hunter@law.ucla.edu
- Cluster 20: Race and Indigeneity in the US - Renee Romero // rromerorr@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 27: Global Islam - Salma Abumeeiz // salmabumeeiz@library.ucla.edu // Hannah Sutherland // hsutherland@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 48: Political Violence in the Modern World - Causes, Cases, and Consequences -Mohsin Ali // mohsinmalikali@library.ucla.edu // Christopher Gilman // cjgilman@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 60: America in the Sixties - Politics, Society and Culture, 1954-1974 - Sylvia Page // srpage@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 70: Evolution of the Cosmos and Life - Shelby Hallman // shallman@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster M71: Biotechnology and Society - Simon Lee // simonlee83@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 72: Sex: From Biology to Gendered Society - Michelle Brasseur mbrasseur@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 73: Mind Over Matter - The History, Science, and Philosophy of the Brain - Katherine Kapsidelis // kapsidelis@library.ucla.edu
- Cluster 80: Frontiers in Human Aging - Miki Goral // miki@library.ucla.edu
4. Accessing Resources: Research & Writing Support
Research Guide
As a Cluster student, your first stop for all things research and writing-related are the Cluster Research Guide. Each page is customized for your Cluster by your Peer Research & Writing Specialist and liaison librarian. Search for your Cluster’s guide by name or browse guides by subject.
Peer Research & Writing Specialist
Not sure where to start with an upcoming Cluster assignment? Or maybe you’re looking for feedback on a finished draft? The Peer Research & Writing Specialist are here to help students clarify their ideas, get started with research, and develop their voices.
We work through individual appointments to help students clarify their ideas, sharpen their use of language, and develop their voices in college-level writing.
We also host weekly drop-in office hours, no appointment necessary. We love answering quick questions about current and upcoming assignments, our own experiences with the Cluster program, our favorite study skills, and navigating university life as a first-year student.
Office hours and appointments will be announced via Bruin Learn—check with your Peer Research & Writing Specialist for more information!
Course Reserves
If your course has required readings, see if they’re on reserve!
To access materials on course reserves, please click the link below to be taken to the course reserves search. You can then use the search filters to search for materials using the course’s name, instructor, code, or department.
You can also find Course Reserves in Canvas under the "Library Resources" menu.
Once you're done with research, you still might need help writing about what you've found; here are the Library and Cluster writing resources!
5. More Resources
Here are some additional resources to help you transition into your first year at UCLA. From UCLA streaming platforms to our favorite study spots, your Peer Research & Writing Specialists have you covered!
Library Workshops
UCLA Library offers workshops through the year, all of which will be offered both in person and over Zoom. These are great resources to introduce students to the world of research!
Stressbusters
During busy times of the quarter, UCLA Library hosts Stressbusters for students to take a break from studying and relax. Some of the most popular Stressbusters are guided meditations, origami stations, and, of course, hanging out with some dogs!
Kanopy
For courses that require students to watch films, Kanopy is the platform most UCLA professors will use. For academic content and critically acclaimed films, Kanopy is a great resource.
Map of Campus Study Spots
Use the map below to find our favorite study spots at UCLA!
Other Westwood Spots
If you want to take a break from campus and are looking for study spots in Westwood, we have a list of our personal favorite spots!
- Espresso Profeta
- Hammer Courtyard
- Coffee Bean
- Cafe Synapse