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A New Way to Connect to Library Resources while Remote

March 24, 2021

Logo for the Libkey Nomad Browser Extension

A year into the Covid-19 pandemic, most of us are still working and learning remotely. With this in mind we wanted to share a quick and easy way to connect to online content the Library pays for and open access resources. Try LibKey Nomad, a browser extension that provides one-click access to articles. You’ll find it especially helpful if you, like many, start your research outside the Library’s website using Google, Google Scholar, other search engines/websites, or if you get journal alert emails from publishers.

Remember when you were on campus and had seamless access to resources? That worked so smoothly because your IP address would identify you as a Claremont user and grant you access to Library subscriptions. When you try to gain access to those same resources from off campus, it’s not as seamless. You can either find those subscriptions via the Library’s website or use your college’s VPN. LibKey Nomad provides an alternative way to do this while also avoiding a common frustration when searching on the open web: running into paywall and then being forced to track down an article or book a second time using Library search tools. 

What you need to know about the LibKey Nomad browser extension:

  • It uses the Colleges’ standard authentication method (your network login), so no credentials are cached in your browser. 
  • It’s available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi browsers.
  • It works with PubMed.gov, Wikipedia, and the websites of major academic journal publishers, such as American Chemical Society, AAAS (Science), Nature, Elsevier ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Cambridge University Press. 
  • If a website indicates that the full-text of a resource you’re interested in is not available, you might see a popup that says “Access Options.” This will lead you to the Library’s site where you will either be directed to the full-text via another platform or to the Library’s Resource Sharing service, where you can request articles not available via one of our subscriptions. 
  • When installing LibKey Nomad, you’ll be asked to identify your library. Search for The Claremont Colleges Library, rather than your college name.