As Columbia University alumni, you can access in-person library spaces and a limited list of online library resources. For more information, see the Libraries' alumni page.
For social work literature searches, try starting with the following alumni databases:
These are just places to start! Depending on what you are trying to find, you might end up using other resources from the alumni list. Alumni can also reach out to socwk@library.columbia.edu to ask the Social Work Librarian a question.
Open access (OA) resources are publications that are available to anyone online without charging a fee to readers for access.
Open Access Journals: You can find open access journals through the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ): https://doaj.org/
Open Access Repositories: An open access repository is an online database of publications that individual authors have decided to make available to anyone online.
Your local public library may be able to connect you with resources that would otherwise be behind a paywall. If you are in New York City, you can use any or all of our three public library systems: New York Public Library (serves Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island), Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library. Research resources are free at all three systems. See their websites for information about how to sign up for a library card and start using their research resources.
If you are located somewhere else in the United States, you can locate your local public library by searching for the name of your city, town, or county and "public library." It's possible you are eligible to sign up for library cards for multiple library systems, so check the rules for large public library systems in your state even if you don't live in one of those cities. When you sign up for a card, speak to a librarian and let them know what kind of information you tend to look for. They might have some tips about how to navigate your specific library system for your research need.
It's also sometimes possible for members of the public to gain access to local public college and university libraries. It's worth asking nicely!
Often, authors of papers will send you a copy of their paper if you can find their email address and ask. You can say something like, "I am a social worker, and I'm interested to read your paper [name of paper], but I don't have access through a library. Would you mind sending me a copy if you can? Thank you!"
Policy research is complex and often encompasses many types of information and potential sources. The following image, developed by Kimberly Pendell at Portland State University, illustrates the many areas and contexts where policy information is used and created:
Law
Government Agencies
Data & Statistics
Research Articles
Policy & Advocacy Groups
Media & Public Opinion
Many library and library-like databases use Boolean searching. Use Boolean operators AND, NOT, and OR to make your search more narrow (AND), more broad (OR), or to exclude a particular word or phrase (NOT).