How do I...

Find and use articles

Retrieve an article from a citation

If you already have a complete article citation, use this form to look up what access we have to that article.

Use Get VText service

After you have searched for an article in a database, you'll want to access the actual article. Some, but not all, of our databases will include full-text articles. When the article needed is not available in the database, look for the Get VText button or link to access the article elsewhere.

Use Summon to find articles

This page offers both the standard search box for Summon as well as detailed help for using the database.

Choose an article database

• Articles
• Databases

Finding the full text of an article depends on what information you currently have:

• Working with a complete citation
• Working with an incomplete citation
• Working with an abbreviated journal title
• Searching for articles on a topic
• Searching for articles within a specific journal
• Searching for articles by a specific author

The Virginia Tech Libraries provide access to over 700 databases where you can search for articles (and more) on your research topic. Select the appropriate database(s) using these strategies:

• Select a database using a known database title
• Select a database using a general research topic term
• Select a database from a subject listing
• Select a database from a list of general interest databases
• Select a database from broad subject category lists
• Select a database based on the type/format of content
• Select a database from alphabetical lists

Access articles and databases from off campus

When you are using the Virginia Tech network, subscribed resources like databases, ejournals, and ebooks automatically recognize you as part of the Virginia Tech community. When you use a different ISP while off campus, you'll need to go through an extra step to be recognized as part of our community and gain access to these resources.

Place an interlibrary loan/ILLiad request

First time users of ILLiad need to create an account. Otherwise you can login to ILLiad, where you can request books, videos, articles, patents, theses and dissertations, and standards.