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Journal Editor Resources: PDF Resources

Resources for editors on Penn Law journals

Cite-checking Help

For help with journal cite-checking resources, contact Merle Slyhoff,
Collection Development & Resource Sharing Librarian, T-212, mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu,
215-898-9013.

PDF Resources

 

A "true"pdf (not an HTML text version saved as a pdf) is acceptable for cite-checking.  You have access to a number of resources that provide pdfs.  The links below take you to commonly used materials.

HeinOnline is a good resource for pdfs of US and foreign/international resources, including journals, selected state and foreign/international official materials.

For help or questions about cite checking, contact Merle J. Slyhoff, T-212, 215-898-9013, mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu.

PDF Quick-Checks

 

General Web Resources

 

  • University of Pennsylvania Library Databases- Select Databases from the left side and search using keywords or titles. 
  • Electronic Resources- Biddle page that links to numerous web sites including U.S. law and government documents.
  • HeinOnline - In addition to having pdf versions of many law journals and legal periodicals, Hein is also a resource for pdf versions of: Federal Register Library, Treaties and Agreements Library, U.S. Supreme Court Library, European Center for Minority Issues, U.S. Attorney General Opinions, Legal Classics 

Journal Articles

PDF versions of many journals are available from a number of readily available resources.
 
  • You can check LOLA for electronic versions of journals that Biddle receives. Type the journal title into LOLA; if there is an electronic version the record will indicate "electron resource."  
  • You can also go to the Biddle main page, click on Research Now, and select Electronic Resources.  This list is updated monthly. Please note that not all titles appearing on the Electronic Resources pages will take you to a pdf - some only have access to a full-text version of the article.
  • HeinOnline contains pdfs of many resources, including a lengthy list of law and law-related journals. You can access the HeinOnline lists through the Quick Links box on the Biddle Law Library pages.  From there you can search the Law journal Library by citation, article title, or journal title.  All titles available through HeinOnline can be located by searching LOLA.
  • Van Pelt’s web page provides access to many non-law journals.  Enter your search in the FindIt. To locate e-versions only, select "In e-resource title only."  Selecting “Anywhere” will let you know if they have it in print and/or electronic.
  • The Web - If you’re unable to locate the journal in any of the above resources, check your favorite search engine, such as Google. Searching for the journal title in ” ” will sometimes result in an online version available free of charge.
  • Search Lexis and Westlaw. In most cases you can’t use the articles as they appear in either of these databases, but you can verify citations.

E-Books

Books available in e-book format where the pages are the equivalent of a photocopied page of the print must be used before an ILL will be placed for the print. This includes Hathi Trust books and e-books provided by a publisher. You may need to download an Adobe e-book reader to view the book.E-books are available for you to use if located in LOLA or Franklin. You do not have access to e-resources through Drexel's online catalog unless it is a link to an open access product. You can also find e-books by searching the web, Google Books, for example.

If you have any questions about using e-books contact Merle Slyhoff mslyhoff@law.upenn.edu T-212.

Bills, Hearings and Legislative Information

These web sites will have PDFs of most bills, hearings and legislative information.

  • Congress.gov - This site is compiled by the Library of Congress and includes “legislative information on the Internet.” It provides PDF copies of bills and some hearings.

  • ProQuest Congressional - This easy to use resource will provide PDFs to most information included in the database.

  • Legislative Insight - LI contains legislative histories of enacted laws and may contain PDFs not available in ProQuest Congressional.

Cases

 

West - Some West Reporter volumes are available as pdf’s. You can also verify citations using Lexis or West.

Reports and Proceedings

 

Using your favorite search engine, check the web for the issuing agency. Locating the issuing agency’s web page often provides information on the report or proceeding and in many cases uncovers a pdf of the document. Check the web page for a publications section, or enter the title of the report or proceeding in the “search” box.

Foreign and International Law

 
Foreign & International Indexes & Databases - Biddle’s web page for foreign/international web resources. For help with foreign/international citations check with Gabriela Femenia, Foreign and International Law Librarian, T-412, 215-898-7442, gfemenia@law.upenn.edu