Finding Journals

What Do We Own?

In the Science Library we subscribe to 250 titles in print format and thousands more in electronic format only (full text online). OBIS, the online catalog, gives information on our print holdings and links to online titles.

Search OBIS for a Periodical Title:

Tip: many journals have at least two OBIS records; one for the print version and one for the online. Add the term "online" to the journal title (e.g., Nature online) when you search, if you want a quicker method for getting to the OBIS record that provides a link to the online susbscription. It is best to check all of the OBIS records that match your title, however, since the link to online may only appear on the same record that provides information about our print holdings. This is true for most journals that offer online access as part of our print subscription.

Where Are Print Journals Shelved?

This week's journals: arranged by date of receipt on a display rack adjacent to the library entrance. They remain there for 7 days, then move to the north reading area shelves.

This year's journals: in the north reading area, arranged by title within broad disciplinary categories: chemistry, physics, biology, neuroscience, and geology. A small interdisciplinary section (including Science, Nature, New Scientist, American Scientist, etc.) precedes the chemistry periodicals section.

Bound journals for the past five years: arranged in one alphabetical sequence, by title, in the open stacks adjacent to the north reading area. This area actually includes many unbound journals issues as well, since the current display area cannot accommodate too many issues of the bigger, more voluminous journals.

Older bound journals: arranged by title in the movable, compact shelving on the east side of the library. Most journals published before 1960 are in the closed stacks of Carnegie storage. Request those volumes at the library's circulation desk.

Do Journals Leave the Library?

Yes, for maximum of 3 hours during the day to college affiliated users only.

Journals may also be borrowed for overnight use, beginning two hours before closing each day. They are due the following day one hour after the library opens. Older journals from storage have a one-week loan period.

Fines for overdue journals are $1.00 per hour

Electronic Journals

In addition to finding links to electonic journals in OBIS, it is possible search collections of electronic journals.