How Do I...?

You will not be able to find the full-text of every article online. If you find an article with only an abstract (summary) or a citation (reference), write down all of the pertinent information:

• Periodical Title (Journal, magazine, or newspaper) (sometimes referred to as the SOURCE)
• Publication date
• Volume and/or issue number
• Author
• Title of the article
• Page number(s)

Then you search the Library's Online Catalog for the PERIODICAL TITLE to see whether or not we subscribe to it in print and whether or not we have the specific issue you need. Just because we subscribe to a periodical does not mean that we have every issue. Click on "Full Details" to see which issues we have received. If we have the issue you want, just write down the call number and check the Shelf Location Chart to see which floor it is on. If we do not subscribe to the periodical or have the issue you need, then you may submit an Interlibrary Loan request.

Also look for a HTTP link at the bottom of the "Full Details" page to see if the article might be available electronically.

If you have any questions about how to search a database or which database to use for your topic, please stop by, call or email the Reference desk. (504) 280-6549.