When trying to find an article, we recommend that you start by searching our collections & research tools, and then broaden your search as necessary.

You can follow these steps:

1. Search Jones Library collections & research tools
   
   
   • Search for articles using our online Research Tools
     Our online access to magazines, newspapers, and journals generally includes articles published from the late-1990s to the present. Articles are often—but not always— available in full-text or full PDF image. A few resources, including the Historical New York Times (1851-2017), have coverage that extends back much further.
     
     Start with: General OneFile or Academic OneFile
   
   
   • Search for magazines & journals that we collect in printed form
     We keep several years' worth of many subscriptions. When searching the catalog for a magazine, we recommend searching by Journal Title rather than by Keyword.
2. Search the open web (the free, publicly-accessible portion of the internet)
   
   
   • Check the publication's website
     A surprising number of articles are available for free and in full-text on the website of the magazine or newspaper that published it. This for less often true of academic & professional journals (see below).
   
   
   • Search Google Scholar for journal articles
     Sometimes you can locate PDF copies of articles on the open web via Google Scholar. It's usually worth a try.
3. Request an article via ILLiad (a service of the Boston Public Library)
   We can request a digital copy of an article and deliver it to you via email. This service is free and has a very high success rate. Contact our Reference Desk to get started. Please include a complete citation, or as much information as possible about the article.

If you're looking for a book, movie, audio recording, or other item, see Searching Far & Wide.