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Search for the article's title through the library's Easy Search function, or through the Journal and Article Locator (JAL). If available, full text of articles may be accessed in campus libraries, and other campus IP addresses. Students, faculty, and staff can also access them on off-campus computers with their NetID and password.
It is also important to know that the publication years of titles that are covered are different from database to database, which can change at any time depending on updates by product producers, etc. If you are needing to find publications from a particular date range that is not covered by the database, there may be a print version that covers an earlier time period you are needing. If not, there may be another database or print version that will cover your area(s) of interest.
Information about what a database covers can be found in a number of ways:
- Many databases provide descriptions, but not all do
- The database producer also provides information about their products. Locate this information in the database and then 'Google' the producer and search their site.
- A librarian will be happy to assist you!
The UIUC Library provides Web access to article databases for its patrons. Many more databases can be accessed from the Find Online Journals and Databases tool. Important biology databases include Biological Abstracts, Current Contents PubMed (MEDLINE), and Science Citation Index. Access these directly from the Biology Virtual Library Homepage. Other databases useful to biologists include the Zoological Record, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Wilson Biological and Agricultural Index, and more. A brief description of nearly two dozen databases can be found in the guide Electronic Resources in the Biology Virtual Library [pdf].
UIUC students, faculty, and staff can access most article databases from any computer terminal with Internet access; however, you may be required to log in with your campus NetID and password if you are using an off-campus terminal that is not connected to the network via a UI dial up connection.
When there are no links to full text articles, click on the blue Discover button on the database's article record. This will link to a record telling the journal title holdings and location when available so that you can go find the article in the print journal.
If there is no direct link in the article record in the database to the Library catalog record, you will need to go directly to the Online Library Catalog. Once you have found the catalog record for the journal, look for the volume you need in the holdings. If the journal volume you need is not available on campus, you can request the article via interlibrary loan. If you are unable to interpret a citation, ask at a librarian for help.
Many article databases provide access to electronic full text articles from the indexing record. Also the library has subscriptions to thousands of electronic journals either individually or through various packages or article databases. For selected titles, the library Discover button links to Library electronic journal subscriptions.
Contact a librarian! Please provide as much information as possible, and be sure to include your name and a way for us to reach you.
For biomedical and some life sciences titles, try PubMed's Journal Browser (a searchable database), or browse titles in the List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus.
Other options include:
If you do not find your title, please contact the Biology Librarian for assistance.
You can request photocopies of articles from the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery (ILL/DD). Click on Log in to My Account, and log in with your campus NetID and password.
The first time you do this, you will need to enter your campus address information , as well as your library borrower identification number (above the bar code on your I-card) into the ILLIAD Patron form. Thereafter it will be there automatically, needing editing to update. Click Submit.
Look over your borrower data details. If not correct, use the back button on your browser to go back and correct the information. If correct, Submit Information. Click the Request a Photocopy button.
Please note the Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions on the request form. All fields marked with an asterix must be filled in, and as much of the others as you know. Click Submit Request.
Note that you do not need to know which library owns the journal. Most articles are sent as pdf files electronically to IRRC who then transfers the article to a web page and sends you an email notice with instructions to retrieve your document. When articles are shipped as print photocopies through the mail, they will be sent to the address indicated on the contact information section of the web order form. Articles take at least 7 days to arrive, so plan ahead! For more information, see Policies and FAQs.
University LibraryFor comments on this page contact: Biology Library
Last modified by: Kathryn Vanderboll on 2/27/13
