UC Library Search: User Guide

UC Library Search is the single online library catalog for the UC system. UC Library Search combines everything formerly available through the main UC Davis Library catalog, the Mabie Law Library at the UC Davis School of Law, and Melvyl. Learn more.

Summer 2021 Changes

Old Name	New Name	Function
UC Davis Library catalog	UC Library Search	Seamlessly search materials from UC Davis Library and the entire UC System
Melvyl	UC Library Search	Search the entire UC library system
MyILL	UC Library Search	View interlibrary loan requests
UC eLinks	Get it at UC	Link to full text articles or eBooks from databases or Google Scholar

Step 1. Locate the item you are searching for:

Remember to sign into your library account to access full scope of services.

Click the link for your item’s location: 

Step 2. Click the Request link to go to the next page:

Remember: Please ensure you are signed in to see all Request options.

Then click the blue Request button:

Step 3. Select your pickup location from the dropdown menu:

Then click Send Request:

Step 4. A message will appear confirming that your request has been successfully placed.

You may save a screenshot as evidence that your request was submitted.

To track the progress of your request and find out when your item will be ready for pickup, log into My Account.

Step 1. Locate the item you are searching for. Click the link to Check Availability of your item:

Step 2. Under How to Get It, click Request through Interlibrary Loan:

Step 3. On the Resource Sharing Request page, enter any details about your request in the Comments or Parts field. If none, write N/A (not applicable). This space cannot be left blank. 

Step 4. Confirm your preferred pickup location and click Send Request.

Step 5. A message will appear confirming that your request has been successfully placed.

You may save a screenshot as evidence that your request was submitted.

To track the progress of your request and find out when your item will be ready for pickup, log into My Account.

From library databases and Google Scholar:

To access full-text articles and ebooks directly from databases (e.g., PubMed, JSTOR, Web of Science) and Google Scholar, click the Get it at UC button. If you are not on campus, be sure to connect to the library VPN to access your article.

From UC Library Search:

Step 1. To start an Advanced Search, click the Advanced Search button to the right of the search field.

Step 2. Enter your search terms. Select All Material Types from the dropdown menu to get Articles.

Step 3. After choosing an article from your search results, click Download PDF. You must be signed in to access most articles.

Troubleshooting

If you have difficulty accessing an article that UC Library Search says is Available Online, please use the Report a Problem link so we can help you. (See the Troubleshooting section below to learn how to report a problem.)

Step 1. To find UC Davis items by library location, start an Advanced Search: 

Step 2. Click the Local Catalog button. As you hover your mouse over this button, a pop-up will appear that confirms you are searching UC Davis resources.

Step 3. Use the location dropdown tab to select the library location you would like to search. Only materials at that location will display in your search results.

If you need help at any point, you can click the link to Report a Problem. 

Our librarians are also here to help.

Email us at uclibrarysearch@ucdavis.edu if you have questions about how to use UC Library Search.