Periodicals, Newspapers and Microforms

About Periodicals | Locations | Current Periodicals | Locating Periodicals | Microforms | Journals not at AU | Contact Us | Faculty Info

How many Periodicals does American University Library subscribe to?

• 2,800 Print Periodicals
• 68 Newspapers
• Over 100 Databases, many including full text journal

Where are they?

Journals may be in several places.

• In the Lower Level of the Library, arranged alphabetically by the title of the journal.
• In the Lower Level of the library on Microfilm or Microfiche.
• At the Current Periodical desk in the Lower Level of the Library.
• Online through a subscription database

What do I need to do to borrow journals from the Periodicals desk?

• AU students and faculty need only to present their AU ID number and name. All patrons unaffiliated with AU need to present a picture ID that will be held until the material is returned to the Periodicals Service Desk.
• You can have up to 5 at a time.
• You can keep them for up to two hours, but may not leave the library with them.
• If you are a faculty member or faculty proxy, you can arrange to take them out of the library. Ask at the desk.
• If you have questions, call 885-3248

How can I tell where a particular journal is?

1. Go to the WRLC Libraries Catalog
2. On the main page, search by the title of the journal (not article)
3. Click on the entry that says AU, ignore the date on the first screen.
4. Look at the dates at the bottom of the screen to see if we have the right volumes.
5. Anything listed as "Recent Issue" is at the Current Periodicals Desk.
6. Anything that says "Periodical Stacks" is arranged by title on the Lower Level.
7. Anything that says "Microforms Collection" is on the Lower Level to the left of the compact shelving.
8. Search AU e-Journals to see if the journal is online.
9. If you are looking for a newspaper, try Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe or ProQuest Historical Newspapers:
   
   

   Atlanta Constitution (1868 - 1929)	The New York Times (1851 - 2003)
   Chicago Tribune (1849 - 1985)	The Washington Post (1877 - 1990)
   Los Angeles Times (1881 - 1985)

Microforms

• Journals, newspapers, and other serial publications may also be held as part of the Microform Collection.

What if I can't find the journal I need?

• Check AU e-Journals to see if it is online.
• If another WRLC library has it, use CLS.
• If no other WRLC library has it, use Interlibrary Loan.

What if I need Help?

• For Help finding articles on your topic, consult Reference (885-3238).
• For Help with Current Periodicals, go to the Periodicals Desk (885-3248).
• For Help with Microfilm or Microfiche, go to Periodicals Desk (885-3248).
• For Help with CLS or Interlibrary Loan, go to Interlibrary Loan (885-3282).

Can Faculty Members browse the current periodicals?

• American University faculty members are welcome to enter the staff area behind the Periodicals Desk to browse current issues of journals and newspapers. Please sign in at the desk.