Frequently Asked Questions

Our guide Finding Scientific Articles was created to help you find documents on a certain subject by using the classical search method to retrieve information.

Moreover, the Resources by Subject provide quick access to library resources selected by Polytechnique librarians. All these guides have a "Journal & Conference Articles" tab, which lists recommended databases to search journal articles and conference papers.

Compendex is one of the most recommended databases in all fields of engineering. Watch this video (in French only) to learn how to search by subject in Compendex.

Consult the list of printed and electronic journals provided by the Library. Click on the titles you are interested in to find out how to obtain them.

In addition, you can search by title in the Library catalogue.

Consult the list of databases recommended by the Library.

See the page Search an article from a citation or search for it in Databases.

When you have found the reference, click the Document button. A web page listing the options to access the full text of the article (if available in electronic format) will open.

The Library also provides journal articles in two other formats: print and microform.

The journals in print are available for on-site consultation on the 2nd floor of the Library. You may photocopy or scan the articles that interest you.

The journal articles on microforms (microfiches and microfilms) must be requested via a form available at the Circulation desk or at the Reference desk. The article will be deliver to the user within 24h.

The documents required for research and teaching that are not part of the Library collection can be obtained by Interlibrary Loan (PEB). These requests for documents are transmitted and managed using the Colombo system, a document search and request system used by all universities in Quebec. Consult the guide Borrowing from Other Libraries (Colombo) for details concerning registration, access, and requests.

The members of the Polytechnique community have access to the electronic resources provided by the Library when connected to the Polytechnique network. These electronic resources can also be accessed remotely if Polytechnique users configure their computer for the Library proxy server.

Users from other academic institutions must configure the Eduroam network when they are at their institution. This allows them to use the Polytechnique network on-site and to access our electronic resources.

The walk-in users can obtain a guest account at the Circulation Desk and then use the Library computers to access our electronic resources.