Using the Item Finder

What is the Item Finder?

The Item Finder is a quick way of finding out if you can get the full-text of an item here at Reading.

How do I use the Item Finder?

When you search most of our databases you will see a blue button next to each reference in your search results:

Click on this "Search for item at Reading" button to link to the Item Finder.

The Item Finder shows you if the article or item you need is available online - just click on the link to go to the full-text. You may need to login to access the article, especially if you are off-campus - for more information see Accessing e-journals.

It also gives you the option to find out if we have it in print - click on the Unicorn search option to do an automatic search of the catalogue.

Example:

 

This example shows online access to an article from the journal Food Science & Technology. Clicking on the "Article" link will take you to the full-text.  

Next to the Resource name (ScienceDirect Freedom Collection) it shows you that if you are off-campus you will need to login via the Athens system to access the article - for more information see Accessing e-journals.

This example also shows the options to search the Unicorn catalogue by the journal's unique ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) or by title, which you can use to find out if we have the journal in print, if it is not available online.

What if it isn't held by Reading?

If we don't have the item online or in print, we can usually get it for you from another library, or you might want to visit another library yourself to consult the item. For more information see Libraries beyond UoR.

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