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How to Find an Article

Find out what magazines and journals have published articles on your topic:

  1. Choose a database appropriate for your topic. If you're not sure where to start, try Ebsco Academic Search Premier. For more help, ask at the Information Desk or view the Choose a Database Tutorial.

  2. Search the DATABASE to find out where articles on your topic have been published. (If you are off campus, you can still search the databases if you are a CSU student, faculty or staff.)

Locate the article (full text or FindIt (SFX)):

  1. When still in the database, check to see if there is a button that says something like "full text."  If so, you can print or email the entire article right from there.
  2. When still in the database, look for a button that says "FindIt (SFX)". Click on that to see if the article is available full text. If it's not full text, you can click on the link to SAGE and get the call number for the printed copy.
  3. If there is no full text or FindIt (SFX) button in the database, use Interlibrary Loan to request the article.
journalroom

Use Local Document Delivery Service (via Interlibrary Loan)

  1. If the library has a copy of an article, it can be sent to you through our Local Document Delivery Service, via Interlibrary Loan.
  2. Request an article through your ILLiad profile. ILL staff will pull the journal and scan the article direct to your desktop.
  3. You'll be notified via e-mail when your article if available for viewing.
  4. Turnaround time is 48 hours or less.

Locate the article (printed copy at CSU Libraries):

  1. Go to our Library Catalog (SAGE) and do a Journal Title search. Be sure to type in the name of the journal or magazine (i.e. Time or Newsweek), and not the title of the article.
  2. Write down the call number of the journal or magazine.
  3. If the article is fairly new (usually less than two years old), go to the top box of the record. Click on "Latest Received." Check to see if the date you need is available. If it is, it will be in the Journal Room on the second floor.
  4. If the article is older (usually more than two years old), click on the gray bar at the bottom of the page that reads, "View additional copies." Check to see if the date you need is available. If it is, the journal will be on the Movable Shelves on the Lower Level of Morgan Library.

What if the journal I need is not available at CSU?

  1. If you are a CSU student, faculty or staff member, you can order the article using Interlibrary Loan.
  2. Request an article through your ILLiad profile.
  3. You'll be notified via e-mail when your article if available for viewing.
  4. Turnaround time is 48 hours or less.
  5. There is no cost for this service.

What if the location of the journal is listed as STORAGE?

  1. Storage means that the journal or magazine is currently located at our storage unit.  Items are brought from storage to any of the Libraries every day Monday through Friday.
  2. If you need the entire volume, while in the Library Catalog order the item from storage by clicing on the "Request" button at the top of the screen. Generally, the journal or magazine will be available for pick-up the following day at the Loan/Reserve Desk.
  3. If you need only one article from a storage volume, use Local Document Delivery Service via Interlibrary Loan.
    • ILL staff will pull the journal and scan the article direct to your desktop.
    • You'll be notified via e-mail when your article if available for viewing.
    • Turnaround time is 48 hours or less.