The AHEC Digital Library (ADL) is a statewide online library that provides access to high-quality, evidence-based health information. Designed to support health professionals, students, faculty, and staff, the ADL offers thousands of full-text journals, ebooks, clinical resources, and research tools—all available anytime, anywhere.

Whether you’re looking up best practices, supporting patient care, completing coursework, or conducting research, the ADL makes it easy to find reliable information without the barriers of traditional library access.

One of the most common questions users ask is: What’s the best way to find a specific article?
The good news is that the ADL offers multiple search options to fit your needs.

Three Ways to Find Articles in the AHEC Digital Library

1. Search by Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

If you already have a DOI, this is often the quickest and most direct way to find an article.

A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique identifier assigned to an article by the publisher. It typically begins with the number 10 and provides a permanent way to locate that article online.

Why use this method?

• It’s fast and precise
• It works well when you’re starting from a citation or reference list

Simply enter the DOI into the ADL search bar to see if full text is available.

2. Use Advanced Search

If you don’t have a DOI but know the article title, the Advanced Search feature is a great option.

Advanced Search allows you to narrow your results and focus your search. One especially helpful feature is the Title search bar, which lets you search specifically by article title or partial title.

Best for:

• When you know the title (or part of it)
• When you want to refine results by date, subject, or other criteria

3. Browse with Publication Finder

If you’re working from a full citation, the Publication Finder can help you locate articles by browsing the journal itself.

Publication Finder allows you to search for a journal title and then explore its available content within the ADL.

How it works:

• Search for the journal title
• Select the appropriate year
• Navigate through the volume and issue numbers
• Locate the article using page numbers

This method is especially helpful when other search approaches don’t return results.

Get Started Today

Explore the AHEC Digital Library at
👉 https://library.ncahec.net

If you need assistance, AHEC Library Services is available to help with searching, access questions, and troubleshooting.

📧 Email: adl-questions@ncahec.libanswers.com

🎥 Want guided help?
Visit the ADL Training Library Guide for short videos and helpful resources:
👉 https://ncahec.libguides.com/ADLTrainingGuide