How to Get Your Hands on the Articles You Need – Distance Learner Version

Please contact a librarian for assistance if you have difficult with the process described: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/askus

1. Search any database to find an article on your topic.  

2. If the article description contains a link to HTML Full Text or PDF Full Text, click on the link and print out the article.

3. If there is a red and white button labeled Find Text at NCSU in the article description, click on this button. (Sometimes this feature is listed with the term SFX). 
If there is no button, skip to step 6.

4. When you click on the Find Text at NCSU button, a new window will appear. At the top will be the citation of the article you chose.  If the window contains the message “Full text available from” with a link to an online resource, click on the resource link. You will be taken from the database you are currently using to another online resource with your article available online. Sometimes you will be connected directly to the article. At other times, you will be taken to a publisher webpage containing volumes and issues of the journal. Navigate to the appropriate volume, issue, and pages to find the article and print it.

5. However, if the text in the Find Text at NCSU menu window contains the message “No full text available,” this means that there is no full text version of the article available online. As a distance learner, you need to request that the library send you a copy of the article. 

6. To request an article, use the Trip Saver/Interlibrary Form listed on the Find Text at NCSU menu or in the left-hand menu of the library’s homepage. Be sure to indicate that you are a Distance Learner (near the bottom of the first page).  This form can be used to request a copy of an article from the NCSU Libraries or to obtain a copy of an article from another institution. The article will be delivered to you on the Web as a PDF file.  You do not need to know what other library has this journal. We will locate it for you.

7. Need help? Ask A Librarian for assistance by any of the methods listed at www.lib.ncsu.edu/askus (chat, phone, or email).