How Tos

This is your "How To" guide for doing research for your assignments. It takes you through the research process, from understanding your assignment and choosing your topic to finding, evaluating and citing sources about your topic.

Subject Guides

While this guide is meant to give you general information, check out our subject-specific guides for specific research strategies and sources for your discipline. 

Ask Us

We're here to help you along the way with navigating the library and finding, using, and citing your sources, so reach out with any questions!

Get started by reviewing your Library Account. 

• Your Library Account includes your Pacific University Libraries
  • loans
  • renewals
  • holds
  • fines
  • Summit requests (requests from other Summit libraries) 
• Learn more about requesting items from other libraries (through Summit or ILLiad) or for purchase. 

1. From the Libraries home page, click Borrow and then My Library Accounts. 

2. Click Library Account. 

3. Click Sign In at the top of the page. 

4. Click Sign In: Current Pacific University students, faculty, and staff. You'll be directed to sign in with your PUNetID. 

5. If you click your name in the upper-right corner of the page, you should be able to see a summary of your loans, renewals, holds, and fines. It also includes your Summit requests (requests from other Summit libraries). 

Next, register for your ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan) account.

• This is your account for Interlibrary Loan items (e.g., articles and books) that you request through other libraries when they're unavailable through Pacific University Libraries or Summit.
• Learn more about requesting items from other libraries (through Summit or ILLiad) or for purchase. 

1. From the My Library Accounts page, click ILLiad Account. 

2. Follow these simple steps to register your ILLiad account for the first time. 

3. After you're registered, whenever you log in you'll be able to see all items you have requested through Interlibrary Loan. 

If you're studying or working far from Forest Grove or Hillsboro, or unable to come to the Forest Grove or Hillsboro campus for any reason, we're here to help you succeed. You have access to Pacific’s electronic resources like you would on campus. Physical library materials can be sent to you, always free of charge (and with free return shipping if needed).

Please request all physical items through Interlibrary Loan using ILLiad, even if Pacific owns the item(s).

For physical library materials, such as books and DVDs, our Interlibrary Loan team will send items right to your mailing address, free of charge. Physical items generally take 10-14 days, plus a few days for shipping to you. Items come from many different libraries. Interlibrary Loan always attempts to get items to you as quickly as possible so please let us know about any questions or concerns ill@pacificu.edu. Before the due date, mail loans back to us with the free prepaid FedEx ground label in your package.

Learn more about resources for distance learners.

Course Reserves - Forest Grove 

Some instructors may place course materials (e.g., course readings) on reserve for pick-up at the Tran Library front desk. Learn more.

Reserve Textbooks - Hillsboro

Textbooks and other course materials are available on reserve for Hillsboro students at the front desk. They can also be used in the library during unstaffed hours. Learn more. 

Visit the library's information/front desk to check-out study equipment.

Forest Grove Tran Library

• Calculators
• Headphones
• White Boards
• Markers
• External DVD Drives
• VCR
• All region DVD Players
• HDMI Cables
• Ethernet Cables
• Phone Chargers

Hillsboro Library

• Laptops
• Calculators
• Headphones
• White boards
• External DVD Drives
• VCR
• Digital Cameras
• Universal Laptop Chargers
• USBC Laptop Chargers
• Phone chargers
• Ethernet Cables

Learn about the great things you can find at the libraries! 

Forest Grove Tran Library

• Kic Scanner
• Printer, Scanner, Copier
• Listening Stations in the Music Library
• Green Screen Room
• MakerSpace
• Media Commons
• Lactation Room 
• 24 Hour Computer Room with Microwave 
• Fireplace
• Study Rooms

Hillsboro Library

• Printer, Scanner, Copier
• Fax
• Study Rooms
• Computer Stations