Finding Sources in the Library
Library Search
If you are unfamiliar with using the library to search for sources, watch the following video to learn some basics about using a library search system. We use a different platform now so some of the language and images won’t match what you see in your search of our catalog, but this video describes search strategies so well I think it’s worth the time to watch it. For tutorials that match the visuals of our current library search platform, visit the OSU Library Search YouTube playlist.
UPDATE: As of February 8, 2024, the “Library Search Basics” video has been set to private. I’m trying to regain access, because it is a really, really good tutorial. ~KE
In addition to doing general keyword searches like the video above describes, you can also search for an entire newspaper or magazine, or for specific article that you know the title of.
Searching for an Entire Publication
Do this when you want to see an entire issue of a newspaper, magazine, or journal, or if you want to search within a specific publication for your terms.
Why is this useful? Maybe you want to look for every article the New York Times published about Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.
Follow these steps to search for an entire publication. Note: You will need to log into the Library.
- Type the name of the publication in the search box and search.
- Click on the title to open a window with more details. In this instance there is a ‘Looking for this Publication?’ call out at the top of the page. That seems helpful, but not every search returns a targeted suggestion, and even when it does, the suggestion might not be what you’re looking for. It’s a good idea to scroll on down the page to make sure. Follow the ‘Full Text Access’ link to access the publication in the database.
- In this instance, you can choose whether you want to access the resource through one of our databases or on the publisher’s site. Keep in mind your research goals, your questions, as you decide. Is there a difference in the dates and issues available? Is one more up to date than the other? Maybe even jot down the reasons for your choices to include in the write up of your research project.
Once you are in the database, look for a search box that says, “Search within this publication” or “Search within journal.” Enter your search terms in that box to search for any article that contains those words.
Finding an Article by Title
It is possible that during your research, you came across an article that you wanted to view, but couldn’t access. Imagine you found an article on the LA Times website but can’t access it because you are not a subscriber. The library has probably already paid for access, but you have to go through the library’s website to get there.
Follow these steps to search for an article you know the title of:
- Type the title (at least the first 4-5 words) into the search box.
- Click on the article title to open a window with more details.
- Look for the “full text available” link to a databases, and follow it. This should take you directly to the article in one of the library’s databases. If you’re off campus, you might need to log-in using the ‘Off-Campus Access‘ link. Some of our resources authenticate using your O-Key, but others will require this off campus log-in if you are, well, off campus.