What are Current Periodicals?

Current periodicals are issues of journals, newspapers, or magazines that have been published within the last 12 months. Current periodical articles are excellent resources to use when looking for background information about a current topic or issue of interest. Journal, newspaper, and magazine articles can provide a quick overview of a topic, while introducing key terms and concepts that can be used later when searching for more detailed information. Keep in mind however that most newspapers and current general interest magazines such as Time or Newsweek will not include bibliographies of sources as would scholarly journals or subject encyclopedias.

For more information on locating and using periodicals, go to

• Choosing a Topic: Using Periodicals
• Finding Library Materials: Searching by Title
• Finding Articles