Steps to Finding Periodical Articles in the SMC Library              

 

A.   Select an appropriate print or electronic index. 

B. Using Print Indexes:

  1. Look up article citations alphabetically by their subject in a print index. 

  2. After looking up your subject, reviewing the entries found, and deciding which articles you would like to retrieve, write down (or print out) the title of the periodical in which the article is found, the date of the periodical, and the page number of the article.

  3. Check the Santa Monica College Library Periodical Holdings List, either in the OPAC or the printed list, to see if the Library owns the magazine, journal, or newspaper issue you want. It is important to do so because the SMC Library doesn’t subscribe to every periodical listed in every index.  If the Library doesn’t subscribe to the periodical, it will not be listed.  

  4. If SMC Library owns the periodical and the issue you need, go to the appropriate place to retrieve it.

  5. If you need a bound or unbound issue, request the periodical by title and date at the circulation desk. You will need proof of current enrollment to check out bound or unbound periodical issues for 2-hour, in-library use.

  6. If you need an issue of a periodical on microfilm or microfiche, go directly to the microfilm/fiche cabinets near the reference computers. Look up the needed periodical alphabetically by title, then by the dates on the microfilm carton or on the microfiche. Read and/or print articles using nearby reader/printers.

  7. If SMC Library doesn't own the periodical(s) you need, check the periodical holdings of other libraries if desired.

C. Using Electronic Indexes:

  1. Look up article citations by subject keyword in an electronic index. 

  2. Follow onscreen directions for limiting or otherwise customizing your search.

  3. After looking up your subject/keyword, reviewing the resulting entries, and deciding which articles you would like to retrieve, choose an available retrieval method (i. e. printing, downloading, e-mailing), following onscreen directions.

  4. If you desire the full text of the articles and the database you are using does not provide full text, follow steps 2-7 under "Using Print Indexes" above, or choose other articles where full text is available.