Finding journal, magazine and newspaper articles at the New York Public Library largely revolves around use of our electronic databases page . While we still offer several print versions of journals, magazines and newspapers, today electronic databases provide the easiest and most comprehensive access to full text articles. To begin a search for articles, start at www.nypl.org:

Once at our homepage, simply click on "Articles and Databases," The following page should appear:

This page serves as the launching pad to all of the New York Public Library's electronic resources.

"Federated Searching" - What is that?

At the top of the page you will see:

This box is for searching all of our electronic databases at one. This can be a fast and convenient way to begin your search. The relevancy of your results however may be compromised by this "one size fits all" approach to searching.

Searching by Subject

If you would like to customize your search, you can explore all the databases that are available for a given subject found under Databases by Subject. For a search in history, lets click on History and Social Sciences:

The following list should appear on your screen:

Right here is a listing of all the databases that are provided by the New York Public Library related to history and the social sciences.

Understanding the Differences Among Databases

Following each database is a picture icon that provides important information about the resources and helps guide your search. The lion is reserved for all databases that are only offered through the New York Public Library. Some (only a few...) databases are only available in select libraries. Any database with both a lion and a red house icon are resources that can be accessed outside of an NYPL building. To access these databases you will need a valid Library Barcode number and a PIN Number. Anyone who works or lives in New York State can register for a NYPL library card and if you do not know your PIN Number, any branch throughout Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island can provide that information. The globe icon denotes a site that is freely available on the world wide web. These are recommended websites judged valuable by the New York Public Library.

TOO MANY DATABASES!

As you can see this is a lengthy list of electronic databases! Where do you begin?!?! If you are overwhelmed by your choices, allow us to offer a selection of our most valuable resources. Each listing links to an in-depth research guide that will assist you with further instruction.

Recommended History Databases

Academic Search Premier - Offers over full text coverage to over 4,000 publications. This database offers both scholarly and mass-media journals with significant strength in the social sciences. Easy to search, all full text articles can be printed out or reproduced via e-mail. This database can be accessed anywhere with a valid library card and a PIN number. History Resource Center - Offers several introductory essays and articles about both American and World History. All the entries are taken from print Reference books. This database can be accessed anywhere with a valid library card and a PIN number.

"Does the library have XYZ Journal?"

To see if the library provides access to a given journal, we need to see if an electronic version is available, or if we will have to rely on the print version. To check electronic availability, search the E-Journal Portal, found on the left hand side on the main databases page. Type in the title of your journal to find if the library maintains electronic access to your journal in question. For further details, look over this research guide. To check print availability of journal articles, look in LEO for the Branch Libraries and CATNYP for the research libraries. Here is a guide for using LEO.