This document defines and discusses periodicals. Periodicals are publications that are issued regularly, such as daily, monthly, quarterly, etc. They provide more current information than books. There are two main types - popular periodicals aimed at a general readership like newspapers and magazines, and scholarly periodicals targeted at experts in a field like academic journals. Periodicals reflect the evolving opinions and events of their time.

1. Periodicals

2. What is a periodical?
Information published at regular intervals:
– Daily Newspaper
– Monthly Magazine
– Bi-Monthly (two months)
– Quarterly (every three months)
– Semi-Annual (every six months)

3. Why use periodicals?
Periodicals are the second most current published
information after the Internet.
Periodicals are edited and vetted.
They reflect the opinion of their times.
– Articles are written about events at the time those events
happen where books are usually written after the event has
passed.
They reflect evolving information and point of view.
It is often the only information available when
book publishers are not interested.
– Local Issues

4. Types of Periodicals
Two types of periodicals:
– Popular & Scholarly

5. Types of Periodicals
Popular
– General Magazines & Newspapers
• Examples: Newsweek, L.A. Times, Entertainment Weekly
– Designed to appeal to a broad population
– Short articles in non-technical language
– Aimed at reading the level of an average person
• In a 1993 study, the average adult grade-reading level
was 8th
to 9th
grade.
– Usually written by staff writers
– Primarily information about current events

6. Types of Periodicals
Scholarly
– Journals
• Examples: New England Journal of Medicine, International Journal of
Pharmaceuticals, Library Journal
– Aimed at a limited, professional readership
– Written by experts in the field
– Very technical vocabulary aimed at people educated and
experienced in that field
– Articles are usually the result of research in the field
– Usually contain extensive bibliographies
– Will often have the word “journal” in the title
• The Wall Street Journal is an exception. It is a newspaper.

7. Development of Periodical Holdings
Paper
– Loose & Bound

12. Development of Periodical Holdings
Paper
– Loose & Bound
Microforms
– Microfilm & Microfiche