HealthLinks | Health Sciences Libraries | How-To

How to Find Journals

There are 3 ways to find a journal in the Health Sciences Library.

Method 1: Check the eJournals Page (Preferred)

To find a specific journal, check the up-to-date HealthLinks eJournals page [opens new window]. Many of our journals are available online and some are only available online. You may save the article or print it in the library. Both black + white and color laser printing is available.

Browse for your journal title in the alphabetical list or type in the journal title or PubMed abbreviated title in the "Find an eJournal" search box.

The HealthLinks Journals page; the three main areas of the journals page are the 'Find a Journal' box, the 'Find Journals By Specialty' box, and the alphabetical browsing area.

If you find the journal listed, click on the title of the journal. This will take you to a new Web site where you can find the articles contained within the journal.

Hint: When you get to the full-text of an article, you may be offered a choice of HTML full-text and PDF full-text. Choose PDF if you want an image of the article as it appeared in the journal in print with the associated graphics correctly displayed.

Additional Passwords

A few journals require an additional username and password to gain access to the full-text of the articles. Click on the "Get Password" link next to the journal title. Enter your UW NetID and password to view a complete list of additional required usernames and passwords.

Some of our journals require special passwords; the link to obtain the password is usually located after the journal title.

Method 2: Check the UW Libraries Catalog

If your journal is not listed on the Journals page, look for it in the UW Libraries catalog. Type the journal title in the "Search for Journals in the UW Libraries Catalog" box under More Journal Information on the HealthLinks eJournals page [opens new window].

The 'Search for Journals' box is located on the HealthLinks Journals page after the 'Find Journals by Specialty' box.

If the UW subscribes to the journal, online access to the journal will be indicated by a link at the top of the catalog record. Otherwise, find the printed journal on the shelf. Look under Location in the catalog record to find which library owns the journal. Click on the hyperlinked location name for details of that location. For example, see the Health Serials link in the image below. Health Serials is located on the second floor of the Health Sciences Library and is shelved alphabetically by title, not by call number.

UW Journal Catalog record display; the record has a direct link to the online journal and a link to more information about the location of the print version.

Hint: A particular issue of a journal may not be on the shelf because:
  • someone is using it
  • it has been sent for binding (takes about 4-5 weeks); indicated with a green plastic folder on the shelf
  • it is a pre-1980 issue and therefore is in Storage (can be retrieved upon request)
  • it has been recently received and therefore is in the Reading Area on the third floor of the library.
Hint: Photocopy your article in the library. Few journals can be checked out (certain monographic and serials pre-1980 journals).

Method 3: Document Services

If your journal is not available through the UW Libraries (either online or in print), you may order a copy through Document Services for a fee.

Hint: You may also use this service if you would like the material sent to you instead of coming into the library.

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