periodicals

Periodicals are publications released on a regular schedule, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly, and are intended to be read over a defined period of time. They include newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters, and other serial publications that continue over successive issues. Periodicals differ from monographs in that they appear repeatedly and are often organized around ongoing topics, audiences, or industries. They may present news, analysis, opinion, research results, fiction, or a combination of these.

Common categories of periodicals include newspapers, which focus on current events and timely reporting; magazines, which cover a broad range of topics with feature articles, essays, and commentary; scholarly or scientific journals, which publish original research and are typically peer reviewed; trade or professional magazines, which target specific industries or professions; and newsletters, which provide regular updates from organizations or communities. The intended audience and editorial process influence the content and tone of a periodical, and some titles emphasize journalism and general interest, while others emphasize rigorous research and documentation.

Historically, periodicals emerged with the spread of printed information in Europe and became increasingly influential from the 17th century onward. The development of standardized identifiers, such as the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), aided cataloging and retrieval. In the modern era, periodicals are distributed in print and digital formats, with many journals and magazines accessible online through libraries, databases, and publisher platforms. Issues are archived to preserve scholarship, news, and culture, while copyright, licensing, and open-access policies shape access and reuse.