OT SEARCH is a bibliographic database covering the literature of occupational therapy and related subject areas, such as rehabilitation, education, psychiatry or psychology, and health care delivery or administration. The full text of the indexed resources is not in this database, just the bibliographic information to identify the material and the author's abstract when one exists.

The Wilma L. West Library (WLWL) owns a copy of all the material indexed in OT SEARCH. While searchers will find material from related or supporting disciplines in this database, the primary purpose is to bring together the literature of occupational therapy in one database. To this end, we are gradually expanding coverage of non-OT journals in OT SEARCH on a selective basis; that is, only articles written by occupational therapists or of definite interest to occupational therapists will be included. There may be times, therefore, when OT SEARCH is not appropriate for retrieving information on a particular subject, such as a rare syndrome or a more sociological issue. Consult a librarian at your institution for guidance in selecting the database that covers the literature you are seeking.  You may also  visit our listing of  useful WWW links or rehabilitation-related databases for further information.

Once you have created a bibliography on your topic, try to obtain the material from a library in your state or region. If you are unable to locate needed material, contact the WLW Library to arrange for an interlibrary loan or a photocopy, if copyright restrictions permit.  Nominal charges apply to obtaining photocopies of journal articles from the Library.