Periodical Indexes in Print

A Library Guide

What is a printed periodical index?
A printed periodical index allows the user to search for articles. Print indexes cover a wide range of topics. Most indexes cover periodical literature such as newspapers, magazines and professional journals. However, some indexes also cover books.

Examples of periodical indexes in print include the following:
Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL)
New York Times Index
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature
Wall Street Journal Index

Using an index.
With most indexes, you can search the index by topic, for example "water pollution". You can also search by the person's last name, for example "Gates, William" or by the name of a company, for example "Microsoft". Although some indexes differ, figure 1 displays a typical subject entry.
 

 Figure 1: Subject Entry

Reading a citation.
A citation (figure 2) will provide the title of the article, the author (if there is one), the name of the journal, page number, and date of the article. Often, the name of the journal will be abbreviated. If you are unsure of the journal name, check the front of the index. You should find a list of the journal abbreviations with the full name of the journal.

How do I get a copy of the article?
Once you have located a citation to an article, check the blue folder titled "Chemeketa Community College Library Periodicals" (these folders are located throughout the library). These folders list the journals, magazines, and newspapers that are located in the Chemeketa Community College Library.  Periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title in the periodical collection.

How do I get articles from journals not carried at the library?
To attain articles from journals that the library does not subscribe to, fill out an Interlibrary Loan form available at the Circulation Desk. Articles usually take about ten working days to arrive.

For further assistance:

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Updated: November 6, 2000
Comments: reference@chemeketa.edu or call (503)399-5231.
Address for this web page: http://newterra.chemeketa.edu/library/instruction/per-index.htm