9/2003

After finding some periodical citations relating to the topic you are researching, where do you begin locating those articles?  Here are several points to keep in mind:

1. First, look carefully at each periodical citation to find the title, volume, issue, and date of the periodical containing the article.  Distinguish between the title of the periodical (sometimes called the source) and the title of the article.
    

2. Look up the title of the periodical on TOPCAT http://topcat.switchinc.org/ under  Journal Title  to find out if CUW or another SWITCH library has the particular issue you need.  TOPCAT displays an alphabetical list of periodical titles most closely matching the words you type.
    

3. Carefully examine the search results.  One of the following will be true:
   
   

   (a)  One or more SWITCH libraries including CUW hold the periodical.  Check the holdings to confirm the particular issue you need is included.  Also check whether the issue you need is held electronically or in paper or microfilm.  If CUW holds the issue you need electronically, then click on the link to go to the online database/periodical’s web site and select the issue and article.  If CUW holds the issue you need in paper, then find the issue (arrangement is alphabetical by periodical title).  If CUW holds the issue you need in microfilm, then look up the microfilm reel number in the three-ring binders in the periodicals area (arrangement is alphabetical by periodical title).  Read the microfilm on one of the microform reader machines; copies cost 10 cents each.  Please return the microfilm to the reshelving shelf.
         If CUW does not hold the issue you need, refer to the next point on requesting a copy.

    (b)  One or more SWITCH libraries excluding CUW hold the periodical.  Check the holdings to confirm the particular issue you need is included.  Select  Request  and then follow the on-screen prompts to place a request for a copy of the article; the cost is 15 cents per copied page and delivery is M-F (allow 24 hours).  Pick up the copied article under your name at the CUW Circulation Desk.

    (c)  None of the SWITCH libraries holds the periodical.  In this case, you can search the electronic catalogs of area libraries (e.g., Marquette U, UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public, Medical College of Wisconsin) by selecting  Other Libraries  from the SWITCH Web page http://topcat.switchinc.org/ .  If you find an area library holding the issue you need, you can visit it to copy the article yourself.
        If you do not want to visit an area library or no area library holds the issue you need, you can complete an Interlibrary Loan Request Form (available in the library or electronically).  Interlibrary loan cost is 15 cents per copied page; allow up to two weeks for delivery.
   
   

4. Other options:  (a) http://jake.med.yale.edu/index.jsp  Search by periodical title or ISSN to find out what databases if any contain full text articles for the issue you need; if CUW subscribes to one of those databases, then select  Online Databases  from the SWITCH Web page to locate the article in the appropriate database.  NOTE:  jake may not be up to date.  (b) Find a substitute article dealing with the same topic available in full text in one of the databases to which CUW subscribes.  

Please consult a librarian with your questions or to discuss database or other options.