Locating serial articles found in database searches.

Before you start

You will need to identify if the reference is a book, a paper from conference proceedings, a report, a thesis or an article from a serial. You can identify if the material is an article by examining the full record and checking for volume and/or issue numbers.
NB. Serials can also be called journals, periodicals or magazines.

Locating the article

If you have searched a databases such as APA-FT, ProQuest, Web of Science or a CSA database and have found only an abstract or citation, then you will need to check to see if the Library holds the serial in which the article appears. There are 2 ways of doing this:

1. Catalogue
Check the Library's catalogue under Serial Title Alphabetical or Serial Title Keyword. The results will tell you about the availability of both hard copies and/or electronic copies of the serial.

NB Some databases have a direct link which will search the Library's catalogue for you.
ie. CSA has a "Check Your Library" link and Web of Knowledge has a "Holdings" link.

2. Electronic journals
Electronic journals are also available to search or browse.

When the material you want is in another branch library

You can use the Library's free request service to obtain photocopies of articles from serials when they are held in branch library which is not in your own city location. More information about this service and forms are available at the Client Services Desk in all libraries.

When the material you want is not held by the Library

Document Delivery Service
University staff and postgraduate students are eligible to use the Library's Document Delivery Service to obtain materials from other libraries. For more information on this service, including how to lodge requests through the Web visit the Document Delivery Service's Web site

Other places to check
If the University Library doesn't hold a particular serial other places to check include:

The State Library of Tasmania catalogue: This is available from the Library's Web page under the link to other catalogues

More help

Some databases use abbreviations for serial titles. The following Web site will help to identify the full titles. All That JAS: Journal Abbreviation Sources If you have any questions about locating articles or using the Library please contact the staff at the Client Services Desk of your library.