English 1: People and Things: Finding Articles

For a complete list of all databases available via the SMFA Library see our Database List.

Short answer: you actually can. Google Scholar is a quick way to search scholarly literature from a range of disciplines. It can be a good way to find article citations, though in almost every case you will not be able to freely access the article itself. 

Using Library resources to find articles offers the following advantages:

• The content is free. The Library pays subscription fees for our databases so that you can freely access them. Articles found through Google or Google Scholar are usually blocked by a pay wall, and as long as you're a student or affiliated with a college you should never (and we mean NEVER) pay to access scholarly content. Let a librarian help you find it for free instead! 
• Searching is more efficient. Database interfaces may be a little tough to get used to, but you are searching a much more select range of content that is more likely to give you relevant results. Google may cast a bigger net, but you will have to do a LOT more sifting to find information you can use. 

Please feel free to get in touch with a librarian at absolutely any stage of your research process.

We encourage you to schedule a research consultation with Ashley Peterson (apeterson@smfa.edu, 617-369-3653)  for an in-depth discussion about your research goals. 

For quicker questions, please feel free to stop by the Library's front desk (located on the third floor of the B side of the Fenway building). You can also email or call the front desk at library@smfa.edu/617-369-3650.

If you can't find what you need at the SMFA Library, we may be able to obtain a copy for you elsewhere.

Visit our Interlibrary Loan page, or contact Lauren Kimball-Brown for more information:

• lkimball-brown@smfa.edu
• 617-369-3971