Guide to Finding Articles

Here are some ways to access journal articles through Archabbey Library. Print versions of some journals can be found in the periodicals section of the library. Others can be accessed in full-text versions through our online databases. If you discover an article you want and the library does not subscribe to the journal, electronically or in print, you can order the article through Interlibrary Loan.

Searching for Articles
The best place to begin searching for articles is an index. Online indexes are usually preferable to print indexes, because they are updated more frequently and you can search across a number of years, keywords and subjects. Print indexes must be searched one year at a time and are usually organized by assigning a single subject classification for each article. The online indexes that are probably most helpful are the following:

• EBSCOhost databases. Online databases including Academic Search Premier. Contains citations, abstracts and full-text articles. Indexes over 10,000 journals from all academic disciplines, including more than 500 in religion and philosophy, most of which are available full-text.
• ATLA Religion Database with ALTASerials. Online index accessed through EBSCOhost. Contains over one million bibliographic citations to journal articles, essays in books and book reviews in the field of religion. Contains some full-text access to articles.
• Catholic Periodical and Literature Index. Online through EBSCOhost and in print. Indexes periodicals, books, newspapers, and papal documents dealing expressly with the practice of Catholic faith and life. Online begins with 1981. For pre-1981 literature, consult print edition in Indexes, call number: Ref. AI3.C3.
• New Testament Abstracts. Online through EBSCOhost and in print. Online edition begins with 1985. Sources are both journal articles and books. Print edition begins in 1956 and is found in the Archabbey Library Periodicals collection.
• Old Testament Abstracts. Online through EBSCOhost and in print. Begins in 1978. Sources are predominantly journal articles but also include books, essays and software. Print edition is shelved in Reference, call number: Ref. BS410.O42.

How to Log on to Databases
On campus: If you are on campus, go to the library’s online catalog and click on the “Database” button. Click on the EBSCOhost icon and choose the database you want.

Off campus: If you are off campus, use this Web site (http://www.saintmeinrad.com/library/) to access databases. Click on the “Catalog” link and then click on “Databases.” You will be asked for the 14-digit barcode number from your Archabbey Library card. Click on the EBSCOhost icon and you will see a list of databases. Once you have clicked on a specific database, you may be asked for a user ID and a password. The user ID is your library barcode and your password is your last name. If you have trouble logging on, call the library at (800) 987-7311 for help.

Searching Tips
EBSCOhost databases can be searched in a number of ways. The advanced search window offers more search options. To begin a search, you can do a keyword search, which is the default, or a subject search. Once you find a citation on your subject, open the full record and look at the “subjects” category. Each of the listed subjects is hyperlinked to other articles on the same subject. This is a good way to find other articles on your topic.

Locating Articles
If you find an article you would like to read, it may be available in a full-text electronic version. If it is, it will say so below the citation. You can simply click on the link and get the article.

If the article is not available online, the first place to turn is to the Archabbey Library online catalog. Use the “Search” function rather than the “Quick Search.” Limit your search to “Serials” using the dropdown box for “Formats.” Search using the journal title.

If Archabbey Library subscribes to the journal, you will get the catalog record. This record will tell you what years and volumes of the journal the library has. If you are a distance student, the library staff will copy the article for you and send it to you by U.S. mail or fax. There may be a cost for copying and mailing.

If Archabbey Library does not have the article you are looking for, you can order it through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). The Archabbey Library will get a copy of the article from another library and send or fax it to you. Request forms for ILL are in the library by the New Book Shelf. ILL orders are handled by Mary Ellen Seifrig. You can e-mail a request to her at ill@saintmeinrad.edu. Include the titles of the journal and the article, as well as the date, volume and issue numbers, page numbers and author.