Here's how LibKey.io works:
- Article Lookup: Users can visit the LibKey.io website and enter a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or PMID (PubMed Identifier) to find an article.
- Direct Linking: LibKey.io uses a consistent linking methodology to guide users to the full text of articles. The linking syntax is human-readable and can be easily created manually or programmatically. For example, the link `https://libkey.io/{DOI or PMID}` can be used to access the article directly.
- Authentication: If necessary, LibKey.io will prompt users to authenticate using their institution’s existing authentication methods.
- Open Access Integration: LibKey.io also checks for open-access versions of articles via Unpaywall, providing users with access to free versions of articles when available.
- Universal Access: The tool is designed to work across different institutions, guiding users to the same article regardless of their source or authentication mechanism. This makes it particularly useful for sharing links in social media, emails, or faculty CV pages, ensuring broad access to the content.
By simplifying the process of accessing full-text articles, LibKey.io enhances the efficiency of scholarly communication and research.