• What is LinkSource and what does it do?

LinkSource is a tool that provides links from a citation or abstract in a database or search engine to the electronic full text of the item, if available, or other options for obtaining the item.

• How do I use LinkSource?

Once you view an item in an AUC Library database, click the Check LinkSource for Full Text link. LinkSource will open a new browser window that provides options for locating the item. If the full text of the item is available from any of the AUC Library Web databases, those links will be presented first. If the full text is not available online, LinkSource will allow you to search the AUC Library catalog for the print version of the item or request it via the document delivery service.

• When I click on the LinkSource link or a menu item provided by LinkSource, nothing happens. Why?

LinkSource requires another instance of the Web browser, or a pop-up window, to open in order to function properly. Some computers and browsers are configured to prevent pop-up windows from occurring. You can override this restriction by holding down the <CTRL> key when selecting a LinkSource link. Also, you may already have another instance of the browser running that is displaying the LinkSource information. Check for other instances of the Web browser at the bottom of the screen or by pressing <ALT> <TAB> to cycle through currently running programs on the computer.

• Why don’t I get a link to the full text for the article I selected?

For some items an online, full text version of the article is not available via the AUC Library databases. Use the LinkSource provided links to search the AUC Library catalog for a paper copy of that specific journal or order the document via document delivery.

• Often when I click on a full text link in LinkSource, I end up at a table of contents listing or a search screen. Why don’t I always link directly to the article?

LinkSource will take you as close to the full text of the article as possible within the parameters of the database providing the item. Some of our full text providers require you to navigate to the article from a search screen or table of contents listing. Check the citation for the article you need in order to locate it within the database.

• Why are there sometimes multiple links for full text?

In some cases, the library receives the full text of a journal from more than one database. When this occurs, LinkSource provides links to all possible full text versions of the item.

• Where can I get more help using LinkSource?

For further assistance using LinkSource or other library tools, contact the AUC Library reference department

back to top