Locating Standards at the MSU Libraries

There are two types of standards searches:

• A known item search. You already know the standard you need; you just have to find it.
• Searching by topic. You need a standard related to a specific topic, like automotive brakes, but don't know the specific standard yet.

Known item searches are straightforward - determine the SDO issuing the standard and then figure out where to search. See links below for standards publishers and databases to search.

If you are searching by topic, here are some recommendations:

• Think of multiple keywords for your search. For instance, similar keywords to automotive brakes could be passenger vehicle brakes, or car brakes. You could also think of narrower terms like rotor or cylinder or broader terms like just brakes.
• Try to think of which SDO might publish the standard you are interested in. For automotive brakes, you could try SAE as they deal mainly with automotive and aerospace standards.
• If you are unsure which SDO might issue the standards, then try a Google search. For instance, you could Google automotive brake standards. Many times the results will indicate an SDO and then you could search that specific publisher. Note - standards are almost never available for free via a Google search. You can use Google to help narrow your search, but then you'll want to switch to paid library resources.

If you are having any difficulty finding standards, please contact Engineering Librarian, Colleen Lyon.

Standards are dense and complex documents. If you are new to standards or if you are browsing standards to find an appropriate one for your use, here's some suggestions on how to read standards documents.

• Start with the scope section. This will give you an overview of the standard. Information in the scope should help you decide whether to keep reading.
• Next try reading the definitions and conditions of use sections. These will define key terms and how the standard is meant to be used. These are both important pieces of information in determining if the standard is the one you need. The definitions section will also help you in understanding terminology in the rest of the document.
• Then you can read the requirements and testing sections to find the details for that standard.
• Finally, you can finish up with the references and annexes/appendices sections.