By Veronica Wang, Senior Librarian, Research & Data Services & Aaron Tay, Head, Data Services
Our library has upgraded to LibKey Nomad++!
For many of you who already use the Libkey Nomad browser extension, you don't have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of the new enhancements.
If you are not already using LibKey Nomad, you're missing out on one of the most useful tools that helps accelerate your research.
What is so great about this tool? It is a browser extension that offers one-click seamless access to full-text scholarly articles and ebooks from both our library collections and open access sources. The links appear as pop-ups in your browser window while you're browsing the web.
Improving access to database platforms
One click access to full-text of papers and ebooks without going back to the library homepage is great but what about getting institutional access to databases and vendor platforms like Scopus, Statista, Chronicles of Higher Education and more that do not have full-text or are not journal articles or ebooks?
With the enhanced LibKey Nomad++, the extension will help prompt you to authenticate directly to selected SMU subscribed databases on the web without needing to go through the library homepage.
For instance, when you land on Scopus.com, Libkey Nomad++ popups a badge that provides you with a link for authentication.
If you are already authenticated in this browser session, clicking the badge bypasses the login process altogether giving you instant access to Scopus.
Others such as CEIC will direct you to the SMU proxied login page.
In addition, if a database requires registration or specific actions prior to access, you can find the instructions conveniently via the link without navigating to the library platform. The following example shows the link to registration instructions for WRDS.
Popups should be helpful not annoying
When configuring Libkey Nomad++, we have taken care to try to ensure any popups produced by Libkey Nomad++ are likely to be truly useful - help with logins is one use-case we think is on balance almost always useful regardless of your interests.
Also, Libkey Nomad++ itself tries to intelligently determine if you are already signed in and act accordingly, but this isn't 100% full-proof.
In the future, we may carefully and selectively expand the use of these customizable popups for other use cases e.g. Request for feedback on databases we are renewing.
If you have encountered situations where you feel the popup by Libkey Nomad++ is not appropriate please drop us a note.
One more treat
If these have not convinced you to install the extension, here is another perk. Besides linking to full text of resources, you can now seamlessly export citations found on websites to your favourite bibliographic management system as demonstrated in a Wikipedia reference list as follows.
In summary, the tool facilitates full-text access, citation export, database authentication and access instruction with ease and convenience.
So, have you installed LibKey Nomad yet?
If not, check out our installation guide here to enjoy these benefits, If you have any questions, please contact us at libresearch@smu.edu.sg.
