Help Navigating the Wilson Dental Library Web Site

How do I find books?
What is HELIX?
How do I find if the library owns a journal?
What do I do if USC doesn't own a particular book or journal?
How do I find journal articles?
What is Ovid?
How can I get a copy of an article?
What do all these abbreviations stand for?
What are the library's hours?
How do I apply for an e-mail account?
How do I request an item be put on reserve?
How do I access my PINE e-mail?
Can you tell me more about the artwork on this site?
How do I contact the library and Web site staff?

How do I find books?
Use a library catalog such as the Health Sciences Libraries' HELIX or UPC's HOMER to see if a USC library has a particular book, journal, or multimedia item.

If USC does not have an item for which you are looking, try another institution's catalog, such as University of California's MELVYL system.

What is HELIX?
HELIX (HEalth Libraries Information EXchange), the USC Health Sciences Libraries' online catalog, contains listings for all books, journal titles, and multimedia in the Wilson Dental Library and the Norris Medical Library. Online help is available.

To find the holdings of other USC libraries, check ADVOCAT (Law Library holdings) or HOMER (other UPC libraries holdings).

Please note that these catalogs do not contain information regarding specific journal articles.

How do I find if the library owns a journal?
You can use HELIX, the Wilson Dental Library and Norris Medical Library online catalog to see if they have a particular journal.

When you use the Ovid databases, the Complete Reference and Abstract display options have a section indicating which library, if any, have the journal. Look in the Local Messages field.

What do I do if USC doesn't own a particular book or journal?
If you are willing to use the item at another institution, check a catalog such as University of California's MELVYL system or CalTech's CLAS.

If you are unable to travel or find the item in another catalog, you can request an interlibrary loan.

How do I find journal articles?
Citations to articles, which provide the author, title, journal, dates, and often abstracts, can be found using a database such as Ovid MEDLINE. A list of databases is available under Electronic Resources.

Use a library catalog such as HELIX or HOMER to see if a USC library has a particular journal. These catalogs do not have information about specific articles.

You can also check Electronic Journals A-Z to see if a full-text version of a journal is available online. In some cases, the full-text article is available through Ovid.

What is Ovid?
Ovid is an integrated suite of databases and full-text journals which provides access to biomedical information. MEDLINE, CINAHL, and IPA are three of the principal databases available through this system.

How can I get a copy of an article?
The Wilson Dental Library has photocopying machines for on-site duplication. If you are unable to copy the article yourself, you may request the library copy it for you. If the item is at the Norris Medical Library or at another university, you can request an interlibrary loan.

What do all these abbreviations stand for?
CHLA= Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Located on Sunset Boulevard. Approximately 10 miles from HSC.
HSC= Health Sciences Campus. Located in Boyle Heights, across the street from the LAC+USC Medical Center. Approximately 8 miles from University Park Campus.
ISD= Information Services Division. Includes the USC libraries which are not part of the Health Sciences or Law library systems.
LAC+USC= Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center
NML= Norris Medical Library
UPC= University Park Campus. Located in Exposition Park near the Coliseum.
USC= University of Southern California

How do I access my PINE e-mail?
If your Web browser is configured to use a telnet program, then type telnet://aludra.usc.edu as an address in the Location Box at the top of the browser screen. You should then get a "aludra" prompt that allows you to enter your USC username, password, and then "pine". If this doesn't work, you need to obtain telnet software and/or configure the program. Contact Information Services - Customer Support Center for help, (213) 740-5555, consult@usc.edu.

For information about other e-mail programs, check ISD's documentation page.

For additional information about computing, check Computer Accounts and Assistance.