BrowZine & LibKey: LibKey

LibKey is an API, or application programming interface, from Third Iron that works with Library Services' subscriptions to provide quick, one-click access to the full text of journal articles available to Springfield College users. Currently LibKey has three products available: LibKey Discovery, LibKey Nomad, and LibKey Link.

While some of the features of LibKey utilize the BrowZine platform, it is not necessary to have a BrowZine account to take advantage of their functionality. Users may need to log in with their PrideNet ID and password when connecting to the full text of articles.

LibKey Discovery works with Library Services' Quick Search database. When viewing results, LibKey Discovery allows you to connect directly to the PDF of an article with just one click.

 

When viewing the full article record, LibKey Discovery provides a link to the complete issue of a journal. This allows for browsing the table of contents for the issue in which an article appears, increasing discoverability of similar articles from the same publication.

Watch this short video to see the process in action.

LibKey Link works with PubMed to connect users directly to the full text PDF of an article. It works with all browsers. When the full text is not available through Library Services, you will be provided with options to request the article through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

To use LibKey Link, first connect to PubMed through Library Services. When viewing citations, click on the white Get It button to connect to the PDF of an article (if available).

 

LibKey.io allows users to input a DOI or PMID and connect to the full text of articles available through Library Services. It works with all browsers.

The first time you use LibKey.io you will need to select Springfield College Library Services as your library.

 

After searching for a DOI or PMID you will be taken to the LibKey landing page. If the full text of an article is available, you will be able to choose to view either the PDF or the HTML version. For some articles, the PDF may not be available but you can still go to the HTML version on the journal's platform.

Directly below the PDF and article links you can check a box so that LibKey will remember your format selection for 24 hours. This means that you will be taken directly to the article, in the format you choose, instead of the landing page for the next 24 hours.

LibKey also provides a link to view an article in context. This takes you to the table of contents for the journal issue your article appears in, increasing discoverability of similar articles from the same publication.

Having trouble? Click on the link at the bottom of the LibKey landing page to view all content access options for an article.

If the full text of an article cannot be found, or if it is not available through the MSU Libraries, you will be taken to a page where you can check the library catalog for the journal or place an interlibrary loan request.

Stable Linking

LibKey.io may also be used as a prefix to any DOI or PMID to create stable links. LibKey.io will identify where the user is coming from, what their entitlements are, how they authenticate and so on (see the linking syntax documentation for more information).

To create stable links with LibKey.io:

Add "libkey.io/" in front of any DOI or PMID in your browser's search bar and LibKey.io will look for the article.