Research Assistance : How to find journal and newspaper articles

Periodicals consists of magazines, journals, newsletters or reviews that are issued in sequence. Periodicals are also called Serials and are located in several areas of  the James E. Shepard Memorial Library depending upon the popularity, format, and date received.

What do I do to find an article?

1. • Go to the Reference Department to use one of the personal computers to search electronically using a database that is relevant to the subject that you are researching. For a complete listing of databases please ask at the Reference Desk.
   • Another option is to go to the Serials Department to look for your subject in a print index or abstract, such as the Readerâs Guide to Periodical Literature.
2. • Consult the James E. Shepard Memorial Library List of Periodicals, which is located at all service points, to see if we subscribe to the journal/magazine when using a printed index or abstract as well as an electronic source that does not provide full text articles.
   • You may also perform a title search of the periodical on the DRA online catalog. These computer terminals are located on the second floor across from the Reserve Department. You may also access the Internet version of the DRA online catalog using the personal computers in the Reference Department. This will inform you if this periodical is part of our libraryâs collection.

Current issues of academic journals are housed in the Serials Department. Older issues are housed in the bound periodicals section on the third floor annex level. Some journals and newspapers are on microfiche and microfilm. (These periodicals will have (MICRO) beside their title in the List of Periodicals). Also, check the listing of periodicals on the microfiche/microfilm cabinets.

Current issues of popular magazines, such as Ebony, Time, People Weekly, etc. are housed in the Reserve Department and will have (RES) beside the title in the List of Periodicals. Some back issues are kept on microfiche in the Serials Department while bound back issues will be housed in the bound periodicals section on the third floor annex area.

Current issues of newspapers are housed in the Serials Department on racks beside the desk and in hanging folders. Back issues of some newspapers are kept for approximately 60 days (behind the Serials desk) before being discarded. The Durham-Herald Sun, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post are kept on microfilm in the microfilm cabinets in the Serials Department. Newsletters are housed in the Serials Department behind the newspapers.

[ Top ]

<--Back to Research Guides