Online Library

How to Locate Full-Text Articles

What is Full-text?
Full-text means that you can read a document online.

Full-text documents are either HTML or PDF. HTML means that the text has been typed into a web page; a PDF may have been created online, but it looks like and often is a copy of a print document.

Full-text documents may include illustrations, tables and graphics that accompanied the original article.

1. Full-text Journal Finder
If you are looking for a particular journal, the best tool is Full-text Journal Finder. Full-text Journal Finder tells you what databases have a particular journal and its articles.


2. Databases
If you are searching for articles by topic/subject, use databases. A complete list of them is available here.
  • For help using databases, go to Using Library Databases - Tips and Time Savers.

    Article Linker
    If you find an article in a database, but it doesn't have full-text, you may be able to use the Article Linker button to locate full-text somewhere else in the Online Library. For more information, go here.

3. Other Libraries
The Online Library does not have the full-text of every article that is listed in our databases. Most of the databases contain some full text, and some are all full text.

If you cannot find the full-text of an article in the database or using Article Linker, then you have several options:
  1. As an Empire State College student or faculty member, you can use the libraries of any SUNY, CUNY, or New York State community college. You may need to present your Empire State College photo ID to be allowed to take books out. You may or may not be able to get a guest login to use their databases. For more information, go here: http://www.esc.edu/openaccess
  2. Most public libraries offer Interlibrary Loan. If your local public library offers this service, get a borrower's card and you will be able to request books and articles, which they will obtain for you from other libraries. For more information, go here: http://www.esc.edu/otherill
  3. Commercial document delivery services allow you to purchase individual articles, which are then delivered to you electronically. These are a good option for an article that you are sure you want, if you can't get it any other way. For more information, go here: http://www.esc.edu/otherill
  4. Books that aren't available any other way may be obtained cheaply from online vendors who deal in used books.You can use Google Product Search to identify the cheapest source. (Put the title in quotation marks.)
  5. If you are a graduate student or a half-time or more faculty member, you are eligible for Interlibrary Loan through the Online Library. For more information and to register, go here: http://www.esc.edu/ill

What about printing documents?
In HTML full text, look for a print link or icon. This is superior to using the File -> Print option in your web browser because it is neater and less wasteful of paper.

PDF are the best choice for printing documents because they retain the original article layout and formatting as it first appeared in the printed journal.