Open Access via Unpaywall, View PDF, and LibKey (Third Iron) services in HOLLIS

This page explains how we have configured HOLLIS to present links to articles, book chapters, and some ebooks. We explain which links comes from CDI (the Central Discovery Index from Ex Libris), and which are added through LIbkey, a plugin provided by the vendor Third Iron, through whom we also have access to the Browzine tool for reading scholarly journals. Both LibKey and CDI use the Unpaywall database to locate OA content. 

Online Access

When the article link is labelled Online Access, it comes from CDI. This link generally goes to a web page for the article on the provider's website. If we have access to multiple providers, HOLLIS will choose from among a configured list of preferred providers. 

View PDF

The "View PDF"  link is provided through the Libkey plugin, and its purpose is to provide users with a quick option to get the PDF directly, as opposed to landing on the webpage for the article. The "View PDF" link is presented by LibKey when the publisher platform is compatible with Third Iron services. An updated list of our online journal subscriptions is published for the vendor every weekend. 

Note: when LibKey adds the "View PDF" link, it also hides 2 CDI buttons (Get PDF, Read Online), leaving only the "Online Access" CDI button. 

Open Access through Unpaywall in search results

Both LibKey and CDI may present links to Open Access content in specific scenarios. When LibKey presents a button, it also hides any OA links from CDI in the search results, to streamline the display. If we have access through a subscription, usually no OA links will appear in the search results, even if an OA version exists. (See below for information on the full record display). 

In general, in terms of link placement:

• • Links from LibKey will be to the left of "Online Access" or "Check Access Options" links
  • Links from CDI will be above "Online Access" or "Check Access Options" links

Also, if you have your browser configured to show link addresses when hovering, LibKey links will have the domain libkey.io. CDI OA links will generally go directly to the domain of an OA repository. 

When an entire journal is OA (such as PLoS), the buttons will appear with the same text as licensed content (e.g. "View PDF" and "Online Access"). 

Scenario 1: LibKey presents a "View PDF (OA)" button taking you to the Elsevier COVID-19 resource centre for as long as it is active. We do not subscribe to the online journal. 

Scenario 2: CDI presents a "View PDF (OA)" button taking you to the Elsevier COVID-19 resource centre for as long as it is active. We do not subscribe to the online journal. 

Scenario 3: LibKey presents a "View PDF (OA)" button. It does not provide the normal "View PDF" button because the publisher platform is not compatible (presumably). We subscribe to the online journal. 

Scenario 4: CDI presents a "View PDF (OA)" button. We subscribe to the online journal. 

Open Access through Unpaywall in full display page

Whenever CDI has a link to OA, it will be presented in the full display page, regardless of LibKey services. The link will be labeled "View PDF (OA)" and will appear directly below the bibliographic metadata: 

Preprints and Retractions

If no OA version is available, and preprint is listed in the Unpaywall database, a link to it will be presented with text "View Preprint." 

If a retraction is listed in RetractionWatch.com, LibKey will identify that article as a retraction in the search results: 

Browser Extension "Nomad" for articles and ebooks through the Harvard Library

The Libkey services we use to present many of the links described above are also available through Nomad, a browser extension that can be configured to provide online access through the Harvard Library. This extension can route you through the Harvard Library when we subscribe to a resource that would otherwise be behind a paywall. It works for articles and ebooks. 

Example of the Nomad browser extension presenting "Download PDF" buttons on a Wikipedia page: 

Example of the Nomad browser extension on Amazon, presenting a "View e-book" button. Nomad checks HOLLIS holdings for ebook access via a real-time API call. The "View e-book" button is in the lower left corner and can sometimes be obscured by other content on the page: