- + First determine, from a periodicals index, abstract, or bibliography, which periodicals or journals and articles are useful for the research project.
- + Some electronic periodical indexes contain the full-text of the journal articles, making no further search for the journal necessary.
- + When the item is not full-text in the database used: From within the search results in most online indexes, follow
to help locate the journal. If the journal is available full-text in another electronic database, subscribed to by the UWM Libraries, there will be a link to that database. If the UWM Libraries does not have access to the online, there will be a link to the UWM Libraries catalog, which when clicked, will check for the libraries holdings of the journal. Check the information in the catalog or database to verify whether the year of interest is covered. To check for online availability via the UWM Libraries, without checking from within an electronic resource, check the link "Articles: Electronic Journals:Citation Linker" from the UWM Libraries home page, search the specific journal title, and follow any available link to full-text from an electronic index.- + Check PantherCat, the online catalog for the title of each publication (search as journal title) - NOT the article title or an abbreviation - to see if the UWM Libraries carry the title(s) of interest. The publication title is often given as "journal title/name" or "source" in an index. If the source gives an abbreviation instead of a full name, ask at the RIS Information Desk for assistance in getting the full title. OR
- + + Check under "Articles: Electronic Journals: Citation Linker" from the UWM Libraries homepage. Check by title of the journal; this wil lead the user to an online source or direct the user to PantherCat to check for paper or microformat journals held by the UWM Libraries. CHECKING THE CATALOG DIRECTLY WILL NOT LEAD TO JOURNALS AVAILABLE FULL-TEXT IN THE DATABASES AVAILABLE AT UWM LIBRARIES; use Citation Linker.
- + If the title of the journal, magazine, or newspaper is listed, verify that the UWM Libraries have the year, volume, and issue needed from the displayed record.
- + If the UWM Libraries have the correct title and issue, write down the CALL NUMBER which is listed for the periodical for the format needed; the call number will vary for microformat versus paper. Both current and older periodicals are shelved by call number. For the location of call numbers within the building, follow the "Floor Key" on the location line in PantherCat or the building directory near the elevator on each floor.
- + Note any special location or format listed for the journal and issue wanted, such as "Compact Shelving West," "Microfilm," or electronic version. These special location notations may be indicated on the "Location" line, just above the call number, or in a "Notes" field after the holdings information. If the UWM Libraries have a direct electronic subscription, a link will be found in the catalog entry.
- + Issues listed as "Library has" will be located by the call number in the general stacks {unless otherwise indicated on the location line or notes field}. Issues listed under "Latest Issues" should be located in the Current Periodicals Area, lower level, West Wing.
- + Some electronic periodical indexes contain the full-text of the journal articles, making no further search for the journal necessary.
WHERE ARE PERIODICALS KEPT?
- Latest/recent/current issues are generally kept in the CURRENT PERIODICALS AREA on the lower level, West Wing. These issues should be used in the area.
- Non-current periodicals are bound and shelved with books throughout the library, unless the catalog expressly indicates a special location or format.
- A building directory near the elevator on each floor indicates locations by wing and floor according to the initial letter of the call number, and gives building locations for special locations.
- Science journals published before 1970 or 1980 and journals in the humanities or social sciences which the UWM Libraries no longer receive are usually kept in COMPACT SHELVING, on the lower level. Compact Shelving East is in the far northeast section of the building on lower level. The entrance to Compact Shelving West is visible from the corridor just east of the lower level lobby. Specific information as to which issues are in compact shelving are included in the "Notes" information of any entry or on the "Location" line just above the call number.
- Periodicals in microformat are in the MICROFORMS AREA, on the lower level, West Wing, adjacent to the Current Periodicals Area.
- Non-current periodicals are bound and shelved with books throughout the library, unless the catalog expressly indicates a special location or format.
HOW LONG ARE MAGAZINES AND JOURNALS CURRENT?
- Generally a quarterly journal is considered current for one year, monthly publications are current for six months, and weekly publications are current for two or three months. What is actually on the shelf in Current Periodicals may vary at different times of the year.
HOW LONG ARE NEWSPAPERS KEPT?
- Most newspaper titles are kept for thirty to sixty days. For some titles, the paper is kept until receipt of microform holdings, e.g., Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Specific information is given in the online catalog entry for each title. Many major newspapers are available in electronic format; check the electronic journals list.
WHAT IS COMPACT SHELVING?
- Compact shelving, or high-density mobile shelving, is a space-saving device to move whole ranges of shelves with the push of a button so that most aisles can be eliminated. Safety features keep aisles open when in use. Instructions for using compact shelving are posted at the point of use.
WHEN A PERIODICAL CANNOT BE LOCATED, use the following checklist:
- 1. Re-check PantherCat, the online catalog.
- A. Re-verification process:
- Is the call number correct?
- Does the UWM Libraries own the specific volume, number, and year?
- Is the item in a special location or format, or electronic only?
- B. Check the "Status" line in the online catalog:
- Is the item at the bindery? It is temporarily unavailable.
- Is the item listed as "INC BIND"? If so, there is at least one issue missing, and some issues are being held until the missing one(s) can be obtained. Ask at the Circulation Desk.
- C. Current Issues:
- Does the library have a current subscription to the title?
- Was the issue listed below the "Latest issues" line, indicating that the library received the specific issue and that it should be located in the Current Periodicals Area?
2. Locating materials in the stacks.
- Were other volumes of the periodical located? Check the nearest call number to verify that the correct shelf location was located. If help is needed reading the Library of Congress classification number, ask for an explanation at the RIS Information Desk, e.g., HF 321 will NOT be located near HF 3211.
- Check the catalog for a special location or format.
3. "In-use" locations.
- Look in the sorting rooms. At heavy use times of the semester, it may take days to reshelve materials used in the library building. On lower level, second, and third floors there are sorting rooms where these materials are placed before being reshelved.
- Check near the photocopy machines, in drop-off bins near the stairways, and on study tables.
4. Other potential aids.
- If the periodical does not turn up after a few days, put in a request for a "search" at the Circulation Desk.
- Check at the RIS Information Desk to see which other local libraries might carry the periodical.
PHOTOCOPYING or PRINTING
- Photocopiers are located throughout the library, and the copyright law permits "fair use" copying for personal use. Copies are 10 cents an exposure for the standard 8-1/2 x 11" single sided copy; copies from microformats are higher. Almost all copiers for paper format take a copycard only, and all photocopiers for microform materials require the use of a copycard. Scanning print and microformat materials is also available, at no cost.
- Printing from an online resource requires the use of a copycard. Printing costs $0.06 per sheet of paper and all printing is done duplex.
- Copycards are available from machines located in the first floor, West Wing lobby and first floor, East Wing lobby (Reserve). The initial cost of $ 1.00 includes the card and $ 1.00 worth of copying. Once the card is purchased, it can be kept and reused by encoding it with even-dollar amounts from the same machine. The copycard machines do not give change. Monies can also be added to a copycard from any coin-operated copier.
- Printing from an online resource requires the use of a copycard. Printing costs $0.06 per sheet of paper and all printing is done duplex.