About The Periodical and Media Collection

The Periodical Department subscribes to approximately 3000 print journals and 50 newspapers. Current issues are arranged like the book collection, by Library of Congress call number, and are shelved in the Current Periodical Room located on the first floor. Along with scholarly and trade publications, a few popular titles, such as Newsweek and Time, are provided for easy reading. Current issues of newspapers are kept until their micro format is received. If there is no micro coverage of a newspaper, the print is retained for a limited period and then discarded.

Bound volumes are shelved by Library of Congress call number in the Bound Periodical Stacks located on the far left side of the first floor of the library. Access to the stacks is limited to faculty and graduate students, but student assistants will retrieve requested materials for other patrons. A request form must be filled out for each item.

The micro collection, which includes microfilm and microfiche of many heavily used journals and newspapers, such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, is housed with the bound volume materials, and micro reader/printers are located adjacent to the entrance to the Bound Periodical Stacks. Some reader/printers can use the Wildcard for copies; others require cash only.

In addition, an extensive collection of non-print media, including over 6000 videotapes, audio tapes, and CD’s, are housed in the Bound Periodical Stacks. These are available for classroom and other large group presentations, as well as for individual use at the viewing carrels adjacent to the Bound Stack entrance. Advance faculty bookings may be placed by contacting Diane Brocchi in Media Technologies at 610-519-4467 or by completing the Media Request form.

Staff is available to assist patrons with the retrieval of all materials and the use of the appropriate equipment.

Faculty are encouraged to request purchases of new titles for inclusion in the library’s periodical/media/micro collections.

For more nformation about Periodical/Media materials, please call 610-519-4271.

Borrowing Privileges

Periodicals, newspapers and microfilm do not circulate. Only faculty and graduate assistants may sign out material for up to three hours to reproduce articles on their departmental photocopying machines. A form must be filled out at the Service Desk before this material can leave the library. Copiers are available throughout the first floor of the library for those wishing to make copies of articles.

Media materials may be borrowed by faculty for limited periods of time. Under certain circumstances students may borrow media materials with advance written permission from a faculty member.

Locating Print Journals/Newspapers/Micro/Media

All journals and newspapers in the Library's collection are arranged by Library of Congress call number, with the current issues shelved on the first floor of the library and the bound volumes shelved in the Bound Periodical Stacks. To determine if Villanova subscribes to a particular title, check the library's online catalog. The record for the print journal will indicate the library's holdings in print, micro, and if electronic access is available. Most media items can also be searched in the online catalog.

Locating Specific Journal and Newspaper Articles

To locate specific articles from journals and newspapers, you will need to use various print indexes and electronic databases. The Information Desk will assist you.

"How Do I: Find a Journal/Newspaper Article"

As a service to Villanova University faculty members, a scanned image of an article from the library's printed periodical collection can be made available in PDF (format), usually within 24 hours.  A photocopy via campus mail will be provided, if an effective image or timely delivery is not possible through scanning.  Please select "Faculty Request for a Journal Article From the Falvey Collection" here or under Request Forms at the Library homepage, to request an item through this service.

Guidelines for Thesis Binding

The Resource Management Department is responsible for binding one copy of every thesis for the library's collection. As a service to graduate students, the Department will also bind personal copies for a nominal fee. Instructions for all thesis binding can be found at "How do I: Get My Thesis Bound". Please contact Resource Management staff at 610-519-5635.