Research and Course Guides: +Sustainability Resources: Getting Started

Sustainability Research

Sustainability is a broad topic that spans many different disciplines and subject areas. This guide uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (pictured below) to define the scope of sustainability.

Because sustainability covers so many different ideas, you'll want to think about which disciplines and subjects you want to focus on for your topic.

How this guide is organized:

We've organized resources into the following broad categories:

Each section provides links to reference resources, databases, and other research guides to get your started.

We encourage you to contact a Subject Librarian (see box below) to help you find the best resources for your research.

Selected Library sources on Sustainability

Background information

Use the mind map below to explore some of the concepts related to Sustainability. Click "View in Credo" to find background articles, videos, definitions, and more about those concepts.

Finding articles

Since Sustainability topics are multidisciplinary, the following databases are also broad in their coverage of issues and subjects. For more specific recommendations, go to the tab on this guide that best matches your topic.

JSTOR This link opens in a new window
JSTOR has ebooks and scholarly journals across many subjects. To see our Sustainability Collection in JSTOR, go to Browse -> By Subject.
GreenFILE This link opens in a new window
GreenFILE is a database focused entirely on environmental topics, across many different disciplines. It is an ideal place to begin any research that is concerned with renewable energy or materials, or with sustainability.
Academic Search Ultimate This link opens in a new window
Another broad database that is a great place to start with research. Academic Search Premier provides full text for scholarly publications and peer-reviewed journals as well as general interest sources.

Ask a Librarian

Chat with us during library reference hours using the chat in the lower right corner of this page, or visit Ask a Librarian.

LibrarySearch

Work with a librarian

Find a subject librarian

Since Sustainability is such an interdisciplinary topic, you may find it very useful to meet with a subject librarian who specialize in the field of research that you are interested in.

Choose a subject from the list below to find the librarian who specializes in that subject. All of us are happy to meet with you about your topic.

About the Libraries

O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library
651-962-5494 (Circulation)
651-962-5001 (Reference)
651-962-5400 (Hours)
2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Directions & Parking
Library Hours

Charles J. Keffer Library
651-962-4642
MOH 206, 1000 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Directions & Parking
Library Hours

Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library
651-962-5450
2260 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Directions & Parking
Library Hours

Schoenecker Law Library
651-962-4900
1000 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Directions & Parking
Library Hours