Alert services offered by major databases and publishers
Help on using Alert Services is available below this table. Here.
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 = Register to receive alerts and/or save searches
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| Database |
TOC |
RSS |
Search |
Cite |
Notes |
Alert Services
Many databases have services which help you stay up-to-date in your field, or alert you to new publications of interest. Most alert services are sent as email, but some are now offered as RSS feeds.
There are different kinds of alert services. The table below explains these and demonstrates the icons USQ uses to indicate their availability.
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A Table of Contents (TOC) service sends you the table of contents each time a new issue of a journal is published.
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RSS Alerts are available from some vendors. They may be TOC alerts or something else entirely depending on the vendor.
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A search alert notifies you of new articles that match a search you have saved. This can alert you to new articles in a given subject area, by a certain author, or containing specific keywords.
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A citation alert notifies you when new publications cite a particular work.
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How to set up alert services
Alert services vary between different databases and publishers, and they often have different names. This can sometimes make it difficult to find the alert services you want.
There are a few ways to find alert services on a database or publisher site:
- Look on the home page for options such as "alerts" or "email updates".
- Look for options such as "Register", "Create Profile", or "My Account", and read about what kind of alerts are offered if you sign up.
- Look for an option to save searches, as this usually means you can set up a search alert; or you may find alert services when browsing journal issues and subject categories.
- Some databases, including ProQuest, do not link to alert services from the home page. However, the services are offered once you search or browse.
You will need to register with each site in order to set up your alerts. Registration and services are normally free to library clients, as they are included in the subscription the library has purchased.
The best place to start is with the database you use most, or look for alert services next time you are searching or browsing journals online. Be sure to go back and review your alerts from time to time, so that they stay relevant and useful.
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