Finding an article in a magazine or journal
Unless you already have a reference to an article (including periodical title, date, volume and page), finding articles requires using a database or index. Periodical articles cannot be found using the Library's catalog. Finding the best database(s) or index(es) to use can be complicated. For the best individual assistance, ask one of the librarians at the Reference Desk. You are also welcome to call the Reference Desk at 247-7551, but hands on directions are often the clearest to follow.
Quick Tips to Searching for Articles
If you have a reference or citation for an article....
- Online journals: If you already have a citation of an article or knnow the name of the journal you want to browse, the fastest way to retrieve a journal article is through an online source if available. Locate these through our E-Journal Finder.
- Print journals: You can also find journal we subscribe to in paper/ hardcopy format though the Online Catalog.
- Interlibrary Loan: Journal articles not available online or in print at Reed Library can be requested as photocopies through Interlibrary Loan.
If you need to identify/ find an article on a topic
- Locating Periodical Articles on Your Topic, part of the Information Literacy course, is a useful overview for article searching.
- Topic Searching: If you need to search on a topic, we usually recommend starting with Academic Search on EBSCO. This is also listed with other Periodical Index Databases linked from the Library Home page inder Articles.
- Subject Guide to databases: To identify additional databases by subject area, use the Subject Guide to help guide you to subject specific resources.
- The Library's Periodicals Dept. has some additional suggestions and links to sources.
- Be sure to ask at the Reference Desk for assistance. We'll be glad to help.
Please address comments and inquiries to Reed Library Reference or by phone at (970) 247-7424.
Updated 1/4/06 mds
