KSU Library Tour

Periodicals

The most important thing to know about the 2nd floor of the Main Library is that it is where most of the library's print magazines, journals, and newspapers are located. While the library provides access to well over 10,000 magazines, journals, and newspapers online, many are still available in print. In some cases, online versions are not available for titles and the print version is your only option. To search for a magazine, journal, or newspaper, use the Journal Finder .

The library refers to magazines, journals, and newspapers as "periodicals" because they are published regularly, or periodically. All periodicals on the 2nd floor are organized alphabetically by title of publication. Periodicals are separated into 2 collections on the 2nd floor: Current Periodicals and Bound Periodicals

The most recent issues of magazines and journals are found in Current Periodicals. You can find current periodicals in the first row of shelving around the corner from the Periodical Information Desk. Depending on the frequency of publications, Current Periodicals may hold the last 6 to 18 months of a title. Magazines and journals in Current Periodicals look just like they do on the newsstand. After a number of issues for a particular title have accumulated in Current Periodicals, usually about a year's worth, these issues are sent to the bindery to be bound into a volume. These volumes are then shelved in the Bound Periodicals section. A good portion of the 2nd floor is comprised of bound periodicals.

Bound periodicals look like books but they contain several consecutive issues of magazines and journals bound together. Title, year, and volume numbers are labeled on the spines. Bound periodicals are divided into 2 sections: titles beginning A thru I and titles beginning with J thru Z.

For questions or help finding journals or magazines, stop by the Periodicals Information Desk.