Research Resources

Resource Room
147 Rubenstein Hall
Terry Sanford Institute for Public Policy
Duke University

The Resource Room is a multipurpose facility designed to serve the research, data, and study-space needs of faculty, research scientists, graduate students and undergraduate public policy majors who are writing theses. 

Facilities and technology

  • -- Three locked carrels containing standalone computers with removable hard drives for restricted data storage and use.
  • -- Six computer terminals with Internet access for use by public policy graduate students.
  • -- Eight individual carrels and four tables for study space or short meetings.
  • -- Wireless Internet connection for patrons who prefer to bring their own laptops.
  • -- Printer and photocopy machines (for use by patrons with a prepaid personal flex card.)
  • -- Shelf space for non-circulating journals, printed materials and collections of public-use data in CD-ROM format for programs pertinent to public policy.
  • -- Secure rooms 147B (Fireproof) and 147 C for storage of sensitive data and other materials, including tapes and disks containing restricted-use data.  Access to individual locked file cabinets and safes is provided as needed.
  • --  Equipment to view material on CDs and tapes.

Services

The Resource Room is staffed by the manager, Anne Fletcher, an information specialist with an MLIS degree. During the academic year, she has a student assistant. Fletcher can assist with literature review searches for research scientists and faculty working on grant proposals.

Catherine Shreve, the Perkins Librarian for Public Policy, holds reference hours from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays during the academic year to address reference questions for faculty, staff and students.  She is assisted during that time period by Joel Herndon, Perkins Librarian for Data Services, who makes himself available through instant messaging for consultation on data issues.

Both Fletcher and Shreve are available for consultation on search strategies for the databases available through both the Perkins Library and the Duke University Medical Library.