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Bloomberg Terminal (Sciences Library location) quickstart guide

This guide provides key information for using the Bloomberg Terminal, located in A level at the Sciences library

Key information

The Bloomberg Terminal at the Sciences Library is a resource for Brown students, faculty, and staff conducting financial and economic research. This Terminal is located in A level of the Sciences Library (in the former Assistive Technology room, behind the circulation desk and atrium). 

At present, the Terminal is at a first come, first serve basis. Note that Terminal users get priority over students using the room as a general study space, so please feel free to ask for the space if you need it.

Furthermore, all Bloomberg users must register an individual Bloomberg.com account - you can do so at the Terminal itself

Introduction

Computer displaying various financial instruments and data visualizations. Keyboard with colorful keys.

A Bloomberg Terminal is an expanded desktop computer with a specialized keyboard.

"Bloomberg is a terminal-bound financial services platform that provides analysis and quotes for equities (stocks) and indices, company and economic data for the countries of the world, real-time and historical industry and market news, and advanced analytical and data functions. It is an industry standard in the financial services and investment banking industries. Higher education terminals - including [Brown's] terminals - do not include the trading module and market data is delayed by 15 minutes."

The Bloomberg terminal also affords access to our Bloomberg.com susbcription via the BBG command." - from NYU

How to access the terminal

Illustration of the Sciences Library

Illustration of the Sciences Library (via SciliTetris)

This Terminal is located in A level of the Sciences Library.

How to create a Bloomberg account

When logging onto the Bloomberg Terminal, you will begin by entering your Brown credentials as usual. However, to utilize Bloomberg's software effectively, you will need to create an individual user account. This account will let you save information as you go.

After opening the Bloomberg software from the desktop:

  1. Select "Create New Login" below the username and password fields on the login screen.
  2. Follow the prompts to set up an account.
  3. Use your personal cell phone number for both your work and mobile number.
  4. Use your BROWN email address in the "Corporate Email Address" field. (Non-Brown emails will be rejected.)
  5. Have your mobile phone at the ready, because text is the fastest authentication method. (Hit <GO>/Enter after inputting the validation code to activate the "Next" button, otherwise it will not allow you to advance.)

(Adapted from NYU guide)

Data limits

Each Bloomberg Terminal uses a shared monthly download limit across all accounts. This means your download behavior directly impacts others' ability to use the Terminal. Here are some guidelines to using this Terminal responsibly when downloading.

Only download what you need – and avoid "sysmetatically downloading" an entire source. 

Each Bloomberg terminal has monthly download limits to Excel that are strictly enforced by Bloomberg. Limits vary based on market data type. The biggest culprit for maximum limits reached is an attempt to systematically download / "scrape" / comprehensively mirror a data source.

If you think you will need to do large-scale downloading, please consider reaching out to the Data Services Team to explore other alternative sources (likes WRDS, LSEG/Refinitiv Workspace, etc.).

Look for signs that a monthly download limit has been exceeded.

When the terminal is at its monthly limit users will see #N/A LIMIT error message in Excel. The data limits will automatically reset on the first of the month.  Please let a reference librarian know when the terminal has reached its limit.

 

(Language adapted from Tufts guide)

Bloomberg Training sequences

Economic Indicators panel with visualizations from Bloomberg Market Concepts sequence

Screenshot from Bloomberg Market Concepts training sequence

Learn with Bloomberg Training! Bloomberg offers their own Training via self-paced Education sequences like Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC). You can access this training directly at the Bloomberg Terminal for free by typing BMC into the terminal.

Support

For questions about using Bloomberg Terminal software, account issues, etc:

Contact Bloomberg Terminal at https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/support/customer-support/

 

For questions related to the physical computer (e.g. the keyboard, power, etc.), Internet issues:

Contact Brown OIT (tech support, desktop computer questions) at help@brown.edu

 

For questions about economics and social science research generally (not Bloomberg-specific): 

Contact CLEAR Data Services at socscilibrarians@brown.edu

Or view our Data Services Guide

Bloomberg.com

Note that you can access the full suite of Bloomberg.com articles and data from the Terminal. You must physically be at the Terminal.