LinkSource

What does LinkSource do?

LinkSource provides direct links from a reference within a bibliographic database (eg Web of Science) to the full text article in an electronic journal (if available).

How can I use LinkSource?

LinkSource is available from within databases that have been activated with LinkSource.

Individual references within the database will have a LinkSource button and/or a text link to LinkSource.
This is usually shown on the brief reference record however on some databases it will only show when you look at the detailed reference record. When you click on the button, the LinkSource Results menu will open, usually in a new browser window. If full text is available online, the results screen will offer one or more links to full text sources. If there are no full text options, you will be given a link to search the Brookes Library Catalogue to see if a print copy of the journal is available.

You can also use LinkSource with your EndNote library - follow the link to find out more.

Can I use LinkSource off campus?

Yes. Once you have logged on to any LinkSource activated database, you will see the LinkSource button (or link) next to your search results.

The first time you use LinkSource in a session, you will be prompted to log in to LinkSource (see picture).

Ignore the User Name and Password boxes and click on the small Athens Login link (above and to the right of the word LinkSource).

If you have already logged in to Athens, you will see the LinkSource Results menu next. If you have not logged in to Athens you will be taken to the Athens login page and once you have logged in you will see the LinkSource Results menu.

How do I know which databases have LinkSource?

You can check a list of LinkSource activated databases. Some databases do not have the necessary technology to enable LinkSource and will therefore not be activated. Databases in that situation are identified on the list.

Google Scholar - in addition, LinkSource now works with Google Scholar on all PCs on the Brookes network.
On the search results screen, look out for ' LinkSource@Brookes' after the article title or 'Catalogue@Brookes' in the list of links at the end of each record.

You can set up your home PC so that LinkSource works with Google Scholar:

Why is the full text not available?

The option to link to full text is shown on the LinkSource menu when the Library has subscribed to the electronic version of the particular journal or if the journal is freely available. If the option to link to full text is not on the menu, then it is likely that the Library does not offer the full text for that particular item. Older journals and very recent issues are not always available in electronic format.

Some journals are not yet OpenURL compliant and so we cannot link to them with LinkSource (OpenURL is the technology that LinkSource uses to find results) .

If a full text link is not shown, follow the Library Catalogue link to see if the journal title is available in print form in the Library. If you find an example of an online article that was not found by LinkSource, please let us know by emailing library-eresources@brookes.ac.uk

Why do some full text links take me only to the journal homepage?

LinkSource is designed to go directly to the article if possible. Sometimes there is not enough information to point directly to the article or the supplier does not enable LinkSource to link to article level - only to the journal home page, or to the table of contents. When this happens, you will need to navigate through the journal web site to find the article you are looking for.

Who do I contact for further help?

Further help can be obtained by email to libraryenquiries@brookes.ac.uk or asking library staff at Library Enquiry Desks.

Comments about LinkSource

If you have any comments about the service, please contact library-eresources@brookes.ac.uk.