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Serials FAQs

What journals, magazines and newspapers to we get?
     All Randall Library serials are cataloged. To see if we own a title search the catalog by Journal title.

Can I check out a journal or magazine? 
     Undergraduate students may not check out serials. Graduate students and faculty may check out a title for two days.

Why isn't today's  News & Observer on the shelf?
     Most of our newspapers are delivered by mail often taking several days to arrive. We make every attempt to get materials out on the shelf the same day received. 

How long does it take for a new issue of a periodical to be put out on the shelf?
      Subscriptions arrive by mail and are processed and put out on the shelves are quickly as possible. Sometimes publication schedules are changed and issues are delayed so a particular journal or magazine may not arrive when expected.

How can I tell if a journal, magazine or newspaper is electronic?
     The library catalog record includes a link or links to electronic titles. Search the catalog by Journal title and look for UNCW Full Text Online, then click on the link.

I found the online journal but can't get full text for the year I need. Why?
     The library may not have purchased all available years of a journal or there may not be an electronic version for the year you need. 

I need an article from a journal from 1995? Where is it?
     Serials that are current are on the open shelves on the first floor near the coffee bar. Older issues are collected in a set, bound together in a volume and placed on shelves beyond the Internet workstations. Serials are shelved alphabetically by title. Note: some back issues of a journal may be on microfilm, check the holdings information in the record. 

I found the journal I needed but not the volume or issue I need. What do I do now?
     Do a journal title search of the catalog and check the holdings information for the journal or magazine to see if we have the year and volume or issue that you want; we do not have every issue for every title.  If we do have the volume or issue it may not be on the shelf because someone is using it; it may be at circulation waiting to be returned to the shelf; or it may be at the bindery.
     Check to see if it is available online.

My citation is to a journal on microfilm. Where is it? Can I print a copy?
     Journals on microfilm are located in the gray cabinets just past the Internet stations. Titles are arranged alphabetically. readers are located behind the Internet stations and each reader can print from the film. If you need assistance please ask at the Reference Desk. 

Last Update: December 12, 2005