Reading a Serial Record

Once you have found the record for a particular serial, you are presented with valuable information. Each record contains the serial title, format, and holdings information. In addition, selected serial records contain information relating to the location of that serial in the Library.
 

SERIAL TITLE

Example: Behavior Genetics (PRINT: 1970 - 1998)

The first item you encounter is the title of the serial. The serials are listed alphabetically with a separate document for each letter of the alphabet; some letters extend over more than one document.

FORMAT

Example:
Lancet (PRINT: 1823 - )
Lancet (IAC/HEALTH REFERENCE CENTER: 1995 - )
Lancet (DIRECT: 1996 - ) NOTE: Password Required
Lancet (WILEY: 1996 - )
Lancet (SCIENCEDIRECT: 1995 - )

The first item in parenthesis tells you what format the items are available in.

Items labeled "PRINT" or "MICROFICHE" are available only in hard copy in the Library.

Other items are available electronically.
The first term tells you which search system to use: IAC or DIRECT (items are available directly from the publisher's web site). The second term tells you which database to search.

IAC serials are available in the "Health Reference Center" database. The link takes you directly to that database.

DIRECT serials are available directly from the publisher through the World Wide Web. The link generally takes you to a list of issues that are available from that publisher.

WILEY serials are available directly from the publisher through their online database. The link takes you to Wiley's online search system where you can browse by serial using the serial finder or search for articles using the search system.

SCIENCEDIRECT serials are available directly from the publisher through their online database. The link takes you to Elsevier's online search system where you can browse by serial using the journals list or search for articles using the search system.

Notice that the entry for Direct Access has a note after it. This journal and others require a User ID and password to gain full text access to the journal. These passwords are available from Library staff at the Reference Desk or Access Services Desk during Library hours. User ID and passwords will NOT be given out over the phone or by email.

HOLDINGS

Example: Behavioral Health Management (IAC/HEALTH REFERENCE CENTER: 1995 - )

The last item in parenthesis tells how long the Library has had this serial. The first number tells when the Library started receiving the item. The second number tells when the Library stopped receiving this item (either because the Library canceled its subscription or the journal ceased publication). If there is no second number, the the Library is still receiving that particular serial.

LOCATION

Example: Bibliography of the History of Medicine (PRINT: 1964 - ) [REF ZWZ 40 B582]

Unless otherwise noted, current print serials are shelved on the first floor of the Library and bound serials are housed on the second floor of the Library. Occasionally, the serials are treated as books and are shelved in the reference section of the Library or in the basement of the Library. For more information on these codes, check the document Serials Codes for Square Bracketed Notes.