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Current Periodical Collections at the Library of Congress

This guide provides an introduction to the periodical collections available in the Library of Congress Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room.

Introduction

The Library of Congress Serial & Government Publications Division maintains one of the largest original collections of domestic and international periodicals on myriad topics and subjects. The Division acquires print and digital periodicals and offers subscription access to dozens of digital periodical databases. These collections are available for researchers in the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room (NCPRR).

Periodicals are publications like magazines and journals that are issued on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, annually, etc.). The Library defines its "current" periodical collections as journals or magazines that have been published within the last 2 years. These print issues are available for research in the NCPRR before they are bound and shelved in the Library's General Collections.

This guide provides:

  • An overview of the Division’s periodical collections and formats
  • Where different periodicals are located throughout the Library
  • Guidance on how to search for periodical titles
  • Suggested indexes and reference sources for periodical research