SOJC’s Librarian Can Offer Research Project Support

Talia Paz, the UO’s journalism and communication librarian, shares how she can help you ace your research project.

Talia Paz sits across a table from a student with a newspaper archival image displayed on a screen behind them
Talia Paz, left, the UO’s journalism and communication librarian, talks with Joel Liesenberg, the librarian for global studies. UO subject matter librarians help students find materials for research projects. Photo by Jeremy Henkelman-Parker.

Did you know the SOJC has its own dedicated librarian? Meet Talia Paz, the journalism and communication librarian at UO. Whether you’re trying to get a grip on a difficult research topic or just hoping to get advice on how to start a class project, she’s ready to help. Read on to discover nine things Paz can help with to ensure your success.

By Talia Paz

portrait of Talia Paz
Talia Paz, UO journalism and communication librarian, is passionate about helping students find the resources and the people they need to connect to for research projects. Photo courtesy of UO Libraries.
  1. First-year SOS:
    I know everything feels overwhelming at first. Feel free to ask me anything. I’ll help you figure out how to find articles, get off-campus access to resources or grab books or articles that the library doesn’t have.
  2. Quick questions? Easy answers.
    If you have a quick question like, “How do I find this?” or “Am I doing this right?” Reach out to me via email or Zoom or schedule an appointment.
  3. Group projects: I get it.
    Not everyone enjoys group work. But I can at least make the research part painless! From showing your group how to use databases to helping you find stats that will make your project shine, I’ll make sure no one in your group goes missing (at least not because of research).
  4. Research project support:
    Developing a research topic can feel like staring into the abyss. Whether you’ve got a vague idea or no idea, I’ll help you home in on a question that’s not only interesting but actually researchable.
  5. Researching media companies:
    Need to investigate media conglomerates or independent businesses? I know the best tools to help you uncover who owns what and how things really work behind the scenes.
  6. We know people:
    Librarians are the ultimate connectors. Need help with data visualization? Copyright advice? Or maybe you’re looking to publish something scholarly? I can connect you with the right people and tools on campus.
  7. Documentaries, films, archival TV footage:
    If your project needs a visual touch, I can help you find this kind of stuff.
  8. Fact-checking and bias busting:
    If your instructor has asked you to find sources that are less dubious, I can show you tools that help you do just that.
  9. Undergraduate research or capstone projects:
    Interested in doing original research? Whether it’s for an honors thesis or a class project, I can help you sift through sources and identify gaps.

If I could leave you with just one piece of advice, it’s the 10-minute rule: If you’ve been searching for something for 10 minutes and you’re still lost, stop torturing yourself. Reach out to me! I exist to make your life easier. Don’t waste time floundering when I can save you from research purgatory.

Talia Paz is the journalism and communication librarian for UO. She is a communication graduate who worked as an editor and marketing executive before coming to UO.