Find Library Materials

Finding aids

Most of our manuscript and archival collections have finding aids (also called collection guides or inventories). These are descriptions of a collection's contents. The format and level of description varies, ranging from summary descriptions to detailed inventories.

• Most finding aids and collection descriptions are listed in QuickSearch
• An increasing number of online finding aids from across our collections are searchable in ArchivesSpace
• Some collections are described in on-site resources such as card catalogs, printed finding aids, and checklists

Digitized collections

The digitized portions of our collections are stored in RUcore. Some of the collections have specific search portals that you can access through our Digitized Collections.

Contact archives and special collections for assistance.

Finding articles in QuickSearch

Use the resource type filter in QuickSearch to limit your results to Articles. For scholarly articles, limit to Peer-reviewed journals.

Know exactly which article you're looking for?

Use Citation Lookup to easily find a specific article using citation information or a DOI. If we don't have access to it, you'll be able to quickly request a copy via Article Delivery.

Search in a subject-specific database

If you're not finding what you need in QuickSearch, you can try a more targeted database. Since no single database provides access to every article ever published, you may need to search multiple databases to find what you are looking for. Visit our comprehensive database list, where you can see all the resources we subscribe to, as well as high-quality open access resources, and identify the best resources for your subject. You can also connect with librarians who specialize in your area.

Finding books in QuickSearch

Use the resource type filter in QuickSearch to limit your results to Books. Select Held by library to find print books available at the library. Select Available online to find electronic books that can be read online.

Requesting books via interlibrary loan

You can use Interlibrary Loan to request print books from other libraries. If the book you want is not available in QuickSearch, search EZBorrow to request a copy from our local lending partners. If the book is not available through EZBorrow, submit a request via ILLiad and our staff will try to locate the book for you. Please note most institutions are unable to lend e-books through interlibrary loan.

Methods for finding data and statistics often depends on which subject you're interested in. We have a few guides that may help:

• Data Services describes services to help you find and use data
• Data by Subject provides suggested resources for some specific academic disciplines
• Data Management provides advice on handling your research data

Rutgers Dissertations and Theses

• Rutgers Electronic Theses & Dissertations (RUetd) includes the full text of dissertations completed at Rutgers since October 2007, plus selected dissertations from earlier years.
• Dissertations & Theses @ Rutgers University provides access to the full text of dissertations completed at Rutgers since 1997, with indexing and some full text for earlier years.
• QuickSearch has records for many of the dissertations and theses completed at Rutgers, with some links to full-text.
• Learn more from our Rutgers Dissertations and Theses research guide.

All Dissertations and Theses

• Dissertations & Theses Global contains records for international dissertations beginning in 1637 and U.S. dissertations beginning in 1861 (the year the first doctoral dissertation was accepted at a U.S. institution). It covers all academic disciplines, and it is updated every semester. Most titles added after 1997, including those for degrees conferred in earlier years, are available full text.
• Visit our Dissertations and Theses research guide  for more help finding dissertations and theses completed at universities other than Rutgers.

Our collections include government publications issued by U.S. federal, state, and local government bodies, as well as by international government organizations and foreign countries. This primarily includes materials from the U.S. federal government, the state of New Jersey, and intergovernmental organizations like those within the United Nations.

Use QuickSearch to begin your search. Not all government resources are included there, but it is the best starting point.

For more information about the collections and related online resources consult the Government Information research guides.

Looking for a specific journal, magazine, or newspaper?

Use the Journal Search to search by title or ISSN and see whether we have access for a particular title and date range.

If you're having trouble locating a newspaper, consult our newspapers guide.

Follow your favorite journals

BrowZine makes it easy to find, read, and monitor academic journals in your area of study. Please note that not all journals available at Rutgers are accessible via BrowZine. To search all available titles, use QuickSearch.

While course reserves are online-only, required readings will be accessible via the Reading List for your course in Canvas. You can access the articles from there, or search directly within the reading list tool.

Need help finding affordable textbooks? Learn more about Open and Affordable Textbooks (OAT)!

Finding video and audio in QuickSearch

Use the resource type filter in QuickSearch to limit your results to Videos or Sound Recordings. Select Held by library to find physical media available at the library. Select Available online to find streaming media online.

Specialized databases

We subscribe to a number of specialized databases that focus on audiovisual materials.