Step 1: Make sure you have a complete citation

Ensure that your citation is reasonably accurate, and that it includes all the information necessary to easily find the article. This includes:
 

· Article Title	e.g.	Strong on Specification
· Author		Albert R. Jonsen
· Journal Name		Journal of Medicine & Philosophy
· Date (or Volume/Issue)		Jun2000, Vol. 25 Issue 3
· Pages		p348-360

Step 2: Determine if Ely Library has access to the journal, newspaper, or magazine

Use the Full Text Periodical Directory to determine if Ely Library owns or has access to the journal, magazine, or newspaper in which your article appears. There is a link to the directory on both the Library's homepage and on the Off-Campus Access to Ely Library Electronic Databases page.

• Enter the name of the journal, magazine, or newspaper in the search box. Do not include "a", "an", or "the" at the beginning of the title. For example, if you are looking for The New York Times, enter New York Times.
• Click on Search.

Results are displayed as above and include:

• Publication Name: Name of the journal, magazine, or newspaper.
• Coverage: Dates for which the library has access to the periodical in the corresponding Database/Location.
• Format: Whether the periodical is available in print, microform, or online.
• Database/Location: Where the article can be retrieved.

Step 3: Retrieve the Article

Once you have determined that your article is available, use the Format and Database/Location fields to determine where to retrieve it.

If the format is paper, the periodical will be found in the periodicals stacks. The periodicals stacks consist of two sections; current periodicals, which are located on the shelves near the back of the first floor of the library; and the bound periodicals which are shelved along the west wall of the first floor. Titles are listed alphabetically.

If the format is microfilm, head towards the filing cabinets at the far end of the Reference area. Titles are listed alphabetically. Find the reel which includes the date of your article, and the load the film on the machines next to the Reference desk. If you need assistance, ask at the Reference desk.

If the format is online, the periodical can be found in one of our online databases. Click the link to access the appropriate database and follow the steps below to retrieve your article:

• When the database opens, look for a menu option that will allow you to browse the publications in the database. Below are examples from some of the more common databases you may encounter:

EBSCO Databases (Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, etc.)			Gale Databases (AcademicOneFile, General Business File, etc.)
JSTOR			ProQuest Databases (Education Journals, Criminal Justice Periodicals, etc.)

• Locate your periodical in the resulting publication list, and click on the publication name to view the publication details screen, an example of which appears below.

The Publications Details screen at left is from the EBSCO family of databases. While every database looks and works slightly different, most will employ a similar means to browse publications and locate specific issues.

• The publication details screen will provide a list of available issues, usually organized by year. Locate the desired issue and click the link to view articles from that issue.
• Once accessed, articles can be printed, saved, or emailed. For best results, make sure to use the print, save, or email functions within the database rather than those of your browser.

URL: http://www.lib.wsc.ma.edu/ftguide.htm
Page maintained by B. Hubbard
Page created by Chris Fraiser
Last updated 10-30-07