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This fact sheet offers suggestions to help you obtain copies of journal articles and excerpts from medical textbooks. Medical journals and textbooks are included in most university, college, and medical school libraries' collections. Some large local and community public libraries also may have health and medical journals and textbooks. In addition, some hospitals have libraries that are open to the public. Your local or community library is the best place to begin.

Interlibrary Loans

If the journals or textbooks you need are not part of your public library's collection, you can usually obtain them through an interlibrary loan. Your librarian can tell you how to submit an interlibrary loan request. The publications will be obtained from another library and forwarded to your library, usually in 2 weeks or less. Policies about interlibrary loans vary from one library to another.

Library Referrals

Copies of selected materials may be obtained directly from an academic or medical library through affiliates of an organization called the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. The National Network of Libraries of Medicine consists of eight regional medical libraries that serve all areas of the United States. The regional medical library in your region may be able to identify an academic or medical library near you that provides services for patients, family members, and the public. For more information, call 1-800-338-7657.

Local Organizations and Sources

Local colleges, universities, and medical schools in your area, listed under "Schools" in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory, may have medical journals or textbooks. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Hospitals" to find hospitals that may have libraries. Not all hospital and medical school libraries are open to the public, so you should call first to ask about their policy.

Reviewed July 1, 2001