Current Print Periodical Collection
The Current Periodicals collection located in the Media Library houses unbound periodicals including scholarly journals, general interest magazines, newspapers, and other serials. Generally, periodicals found in the collection date from the current or previous year. Older journals are usually bound and shelved in the general collection. Other titles may be discarded according to an established retention schedule or held until the receipt of microfilm or the electronic version is released.
Journals that are identified as JSTOR in PantherCat will not be bound or filmed. Instead the unbound issues will remain in the Current Periodicals stacks for two to seven years until electronic versions are published. Selected current periodicals are located in other areas of the UWM Libraries including the Music Library and the Curriculum Library.
How to Find Print Periodicals
Journals are shelved by Library of Congress call number. To find a call number, search the Online Catalog by journal title or corporate author. Each periodical entry includes the call number, location, format, and any notes such as missing volumes or title changes.
Please ask a library staff member for assistance with titles not located. Computer terminals are located in RIS, the Research and Instructional Support area, the Current Periodicals reading room, and in various locations throughout the building. For detailed instructions on locating periodicals, please go to Finding Periodicals in the UWM Libraries or UWM Libraries Frequently Asked Questions. Additional help can be found at the Information Desk in the RIS area.
If a periodical is held in microformat, a location symbol of (MF), (MC), or (MP) will precede the call number. For information on locating periodicals in microform, see the microform information section of this document.
Media Library staff will assist patrons in locating current and older periodicals. In general, periodicals do not circulate and should not be removed from the Current Periodicals area. Photocopiers, including a color copier, are located in the reading room. Library staff will reshelve all materials. Please return journals to a table or cart in the Periodicals reading room.
Electronic Journals
The UWM Libraries' holdings include an increasing number of subscriptions to electronic journals. For latest information on electronic holdings go to Electronic Journals or visit the Information Desk in the Research and Instructional Support area, first floor, west wing.
Periodical Circulation Policy
Periodicals circulate to faculty, faculty authorized runners, and graduate students for a period of one day. Current periodicals do not circulate to undergraduate students, Friends of the Library, and standard special permit holders.
Newspaper Collection
Current U.S. and international newspapers are shelved alphabetically in labeled newspaper bins located in the Media Library. The most recent issues of selected major U.S. and Wisconsin papers are found on newspaper racks. In general, foreign newspapers are held for 60 days and domestic papers for 30 days, with selected newspapers held until receipt of microfilm. If a newspaper is held in microformat, a location symbol of (MF), (MC), or (MP) will precede the call number. Please use the Online Catalog to find call numbers.
How to Locate Online Newspapers
Newspapers not found in the UWM Libraries'collection may be available online. Each electronic newspaper has slightly different policies: some require subscription or at least registration, while others may be free but do not provide full coverage or the latest issue. The following URLs are useful online newspaper sources:
For additional help finding online newspapers go to the Information Desk, located in Research and Instructional Support, first floor, west wing.
Other Newspaper Sources
Historical newspaper projects sponsored by the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities:
- Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers (BETA)
- National Digital Newspaper Program
- United States Newspaper Program