Use these steps to determine if a government periodical (journal) is available on the Web.  Before starting, make sure that the journal you are seeking is a government journal, ie. that it has been published by a government agency.

Step 1: Check available lists.

Migrating Government Publications(U. Memphis)

• One of the most comprehensive listings of government periodicals
• Lists serials and periodicals only
• Indexed by journal title or by publishing agency (SuDoc number)

• Alphabetical list of journal titles
• Good compilation of the more well known periodicals
• URL links not only to journal but also to other web sites on related subjects

• Key titles only
• Includes annuals and major series

• Includes monographs as well as periodicals
• Links to publications located on official Federal agency Web sites

Step 2: Search online catalogs.
 

Monthly Catalog (MOCAT)

• Catalog of U.S. Government publications
• Online version covers Jan. 1994- present
• Includes hotlinked URLs as of 1995

• Check for presence of 856 fields

Step 3: Search agency web page.

• Still one of the most effective means for locating electronic documents
• Must know the government department and, if possible, the specific office that published the item
• Useful links for finding agency home pages: