But thanks to a new service available through University Libraries, that search process just became a whole lot easier.

This service allows University faculty, staff and students to go online and read the full text of articles from more than 15,000 electronic journals in virtually all subject areas.

Users benefit even when a given journal is not available online, because the service lists source information — including the journal, issue number, date and page number — and shows whether University Libraries has the print version of the journal.

If an article that you want is not available online or at the libraries, you can simply click on a button to order the article through interlibrary loan.

This service is a breakthrough for anyone conducting research, and it will only get better in the future as more journals become available electronically and the search process is simplified.

Anyone with access to the University's computer network may use the service. This includes anyone working at a public access terminal on campus and any student living in housing that has network access.

In addition, faculty, staff and students can access this service from off-site computers by completing a setup procedure that takes about 30 seconds. Directions for setting up a connection are available online at library.wustl.edu/about/proxy.html.

Using the new service requires a short learning process. For additional information and a brief tutorial, go online to library.wustl.edu/whatsnew/newlinking.html.

If you encounter problems or prefer personal assistance, visit the help desk at Olin Library or at any of the departmental libraries, or talk to a librarian.