News Library
Finding Subject Files
A paper copy of the Subject Index is available on the table in the library. There is also an electronic copy available on the University Communications network. The most efficient way of finding a file in the index is by carrying out a keyword search of this electronic document.
Many subject files in the library are grouped under major subjects. When a subject or place is strongly linked with one of these major headings, it will be filed under that heading first. EX: Athletics - Football; Scholarships, fellowships, awards, etc. - Nobel Prize; Space and Astronomy - Space Science and Engineering Center.
Places that start with the words like "Center for," "Department of," "Board of," "Institute for," "College of" and "School of" will be inverted. EX: Regents, Board of.
Places known commonly by their acronym might be filed under the acronym. EX: The Southeast Recreational Facility will be found under SERF.
Articles about research are filed under the name of the professor or sponsoring division/department in addition to "Research - [subject heading]". To find the name of a professor or department associated with the study, think about the main subject and which department(s) would sponsor that type of study or research. Look in the UW-Madison Expert's List under the subject to find the name of a professor who might have completed the study. Each professor's listing also includes that professor's interests or area(s) of research you can use as a guide. You can also use the department listing in the back of the Staff Directory to find names of professors. Once you have the professor's name or department, look for a corresponding file.
If you are having problems finding a file, consult the Subject Index to see if it is filed under another name. Look in the front of the Staff Directory for departments or divisions to see if the name has changed. Think about other names or words it could be filed under.
The file might also be filed in the Historical Files. These files are full or older subject files located next to the copier. The subject index indicates if there are older files for a subject in the Historical Files.