Yeah, you just read it. McGill Libraries can be more fun than you think! As a McGill student, you have access to a vast range of resources, most of which are offered through the libraries. One of these resources is audio and visual material, which could be anything from films, documentaries, animations, and theatrical releases to literary adaptations, and music labels including standard, classic, and jazz.

Finding Films Online

McGill Libraries offers a variety of streaming services and databases where you can access films and other visual materials. These platforms provide a wide range of content suitable for both academic and recreational purposes. Here’s how you can access them:

1. Sofia Discovery Tool: Use the Sofia Discovery tool to search for films and audiovisual materials. You can filter your search results by format to find specifically what you’re looking for, such as DVDs, streaming videos, or CDs.
2. Kanopy: Kanopy offers a vast collection of films, including documentaries, indie films, and classic cinema. You can stream these directly from the library’s website.
3. NFB Campus: The National Film Board of Canada provides access to a wide range of Canadian films and documentaries. McGill students can stream these through the library’s subscription.
4. Criterion-on-Demand: This service provides access to a large collection of feature films, documentaries, and more. It’s a great resource for both entertainment and study purposes.
5. Music Online: For music lovers, the library offers access to streaming services that include a wide array of genres. Platforms like Naxos Music Library and Alexander Street Press cover classical, jazz, and world music.

Accessing Audio Materials

Whether you’re studying music, learning a new language, or just enjoying some tunes, McGill Libraries have you covered with a variety of audio resources:

1. Naxos Music Library: This is a comprehensive collection of classical music available for streaming. It includes thousands of albums from various classical music labels.
2. Music Online: This platform offers a wide range of audio content across different genres and periods, perfect for both casual listening and academic study.
3. Language Learning: For those looking to improve their language skills, McGill Libraries provide access to audio language courses and materials through various databases.

How to Get Started

1. Visit the Library Website: Start by visiting the McGill Libraries’ website and navigate to the audiovisual section.
2. Use the Discovery Tools: Use tools like Sofia, Kanopy, and other specific databases to find the audio and visual materials you need.
3. Log In with Your McGill Credentials: Most of these resources require you to log in with your McGill credentials. Make sure you have your login information handy.
4. Explore and Enjoy: Once logged in, you can start exploring the vast array of materials available. Whether for study or leisure, there’s plenty to discover.

For more detailed information and to explore the full range of audio and visual resources available, visit the McGill Libraries’ Audio-Visual Guide.

Periodicals are publications released at regular intervals (weekly, monthly, quarterly) that provide current information on various subjects. Periodicals can commonly refer to anything from scholarly journals, professional or trade magazines, popular magazines, to newspapers. For students and researchers, periodicals are vital resources for staying up-to-date with recent developments, finding in-depth analyses, and accessing peer-reviewed research.

Types of Periodicals

1. Scholarly Journals: These are peer-reviewed publications containing articles written by experts in academic or professional fields. They include citations and bibliographies and are aimed at researchers, scholars, and professionals.
2. Popular Magazines: These are generally written for a general audience and contain shorter articles on various topics. They include advertisements and are not typically peer-reviewed.
3. Trade Publications: These focus on news, trends, and practical information for professionals in a specific industry.
4. Newspapers: Provide daily or weekly news and articles on a wide range of topics, including current events, politics, and culture.

Which one to use completely depends on your research purpose, but as a university student, you will rely heavily on journals while doing research.

Finding Journals at the McGill Libraries

The McGill Libraries offer various tools and resources to help students and researchers locate periodicals. The Sofia Discovery Tool, sometimes referred to as WorldCat, is a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find articles, books, media, and more across McGill’s collections. If you are looking for a specific journal, you can search using the title. Include double quotes around the title of the journal for better results (ex. “Journal of Canadian Studies”). Under Format, select Journal, magazine to see only journals in the results list. For journals that are available online, under Format select eJournal/eMagazine. To find periodicals related to a specific subject, you can use keywords, titles, or subjects and then filter the results to show only articles or journals using the same filter as previously (Under Format, select Journal, magazine). Here also you can filter the search to only view journals that are available online.  For more specialized searches, using databases might be more effective​.

In addition, the McGill Libraries provide access to numerous databases, both multidisciplinary and subject-specific, and subject guides curated by liaison librarians, offer tailored recommendations for databases, journals, and other resources relevant to specific fields of study. 

Accessing and retrieving Periodicals

• Online Access: if McGill has online access, periodicals will be available to access electronically. Once you locate the desired article or journal via Sofia or a database, you can access it online if it has the Access journal link.
• Print Access: If a journal is only available in print, you can retrieve it from the library’s physical collections. The library also offers scanning services and interlibrary loans if a specific article or journal issue is not available at McGill. Make sure to note the library branch and call number since you will need that information to locate the print journal.

Getting Help

If you need assistance finding or accessing periodicals, McGill Libraries offers various support services, including chat, email, and in-person help from librarians. They can guide you through the search process, recommend resources, and help with any technical issues.

For more detailed guidance and resources, visit McGill Library’s Journal Finder and explore their subject guides​.