Locating journals, magazines, and newspapers

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This guide shows how to find journals, magazines and newspapers (also known as periodicals or serials) in the SFU Library.

Looking for articles? See How to find journal articles.

Find serials (including journals or newspapers) in the Catalogue

If you need to know whether the SFU Library has a particular journal or newspaper, and whether that serial is available online, in print, or in microform, you can search for its title in the Library Catalogue's A-Z Journals. 

You can also search for journals (and other serials) by topic or subject, by searching the Catalogue and then limiting to Journals under Resource Type.

Finding serials with common titles

However if the title is a very common one, such as "Review", "Annual Report", or "Annals", you can also search by name of the issuing body (e.g. the name of a corporation, government department, association or conference).

Search for the title along with the name of the issuing body in the Library Catalogue basic search, or use Browse Search and select Author from the drop-down menu to search for the corporation, organisation, department, etc.. 

Where to find print periodicals (including journals and newspapers)

If the volume/issue you need is only available in print, you will have to physically find it in the library. 

In the Bennett Library current print journals and magazines (current year only) are located in the Print Journals area on the 6th floor. Back issues are located in the Print Journals area on the 6th floor, or in the Lam Collection on the 1st floor.

Current newspapers (current three months only) are located on the 6th floor in the Current Newspapers area. After three months, newspapers are available on microform.

Almost all print periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title. 

Exception: periodicals that are published annually will have a call number and are shelved with general books. To find them, make a note of the call number and location for these titles, just as you would for any other print book.

Newspapers available in microform

Many older newspapers are available only as microform (usually microfilm).

In the Library Catalogue, note which date ranges are available in which formats. For instance, the New York Times is available in print in some locations, but only the most recent issues. For issues going back to 1851, you will need to use microfilm. 

Microforms are located on the 6th floor in the Microforms area.

Requesting print journal articles or issues from other locations

If you are at Belzberg (SFU Vancouver) or Fraser (SFU Surrey), you can request a copy of a specific article or entire issues of specific journals from the Bennett Library (Burnaby).

Requesting articles through Interlibrary Loans

For items not at SFU, see: How do I get an article from a journal SFU doesn't have?

Need more help?

See our Ask a librarian services for ways to get help online, in person, or by phone.