Step 4: Find the full text on paper

There is more than one path to follow to find an article in paper. Use them all.

● Follow the SFX button
If there is an SFX button in the citation, click on it. It will look like one of these two examples:



If there is no full text available online, you still have the opportunity to search the ALADIN Catalog to see if we have a paper subscription to the journal you need. Click on the little round button next to "Search for holdings in ALADIN Catalog". This will automatically search the catalog to see if we (or anyone else in the WRLC) have a subscription to the journal.



● Study the records in the ALADIN Catalog
Look at the results of your search, especially at the right-hand column labeled "Library". Look for GW in this column. (The Date column on this page tells you when the journal began publication.) Click on the title of the journal that is here at GW. This opens up a window that shows you more detail on exactly what we have here in Gelman.

To see if our holdings include the issue you need, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and take a look. Be aware of any notes or any additional information that is there regarding issues that are stored at the WRLC Center (which is off campus) or any issues that are in microform format. See an example of the holdings information, below.

For more on how to interpret this information and how to find microfiche, see Finding Periodicals at Gelman Library.


● If there is no FindIt or SFX button in the citation
If there is no FindIt or SFX button, you must cut and paste the name of the journal into a Basic Search in the WRLC Libraries Catalog. If you find a subscription at GW, click on the title to open the full record and look at the holdings. It will show you which issues we have. See an example of a Basic Search, below.



● If GW is not listed in the list of libraries that own it, but there is one at another WRLC university
Look at the results of your search, especially the right-hand column labeled "Library". If GW does not appear there, you will have to request a copy of the article from another WRLC library that does have a subscription. This is called a Consortium Loan Request. Before you make your request, click on the title of the journal to open the full record. Check to make sure that the other library has the issue you need. If so, scroll back to the top of the record and press the grey Request button at the top. Log in and follow the directions. You should receive your article in a few days, usually electronically. More information on the Consortium Loan Request process, including receiving copies of articles via e-mail is here.

Check your personal MyALADIN library account page to monitor the progress of your article requests. More on how to access your MyALADIN page.

● If your search resulted in no hits
If your catalog search turns up no subscription anywhere in the WRLC (you got the message "Your search resulted in no hits!"), you must make an Interlibrary Loan Request for a copy of the article you need. To initiate this process, fill out this form. More details on the Interlibrary Loan Request process.

● Shortcut: If you are in a panic!
If you are in a panic and absolutely must have the article as fast as possible and can not wait for either the Consortium Loan Request process or the Interlibrary Loan process, there are alternatives. You may visit the WRLC university library that has a subscription and make a photocopy of the article yourself.

Or you may use the WorldCat database to see what other local libraries, that are not a part of the WRLC, might have a subscription. (The Library of Congress is an example of a local library that is not a part of the WRLC.) It may be possible to visit that library and make a photocopy of the article yourself. (For more help on WorldCat.) For additional assistance on this, contact a librarian.