FAQ's on full-text journals 

September 2006

How do I know if Concordia has the full-text of a journal online?

Concordia has a broad selection of journals in electronic format e-Journals.  

SFX - Citation Finder lets you locate Concordia's e-journals and print journals.

What is SFX?

SFX is software that creates links between online resources.

• When you search an index look for a full-text link or the button. Clicking on the Findit button opens another window. This new window lists resources which may have your article. 
• Click one of the items in the resources listed. This opens a third window. Depending on the selection this new window will show you one of the following:
  - full-text of the article
  - online site to search further for the article
  - Concordia library catalog record showing if the journal is available in print
  - Fills an Interlibrary Loan request form with the information on the article from the database. 

How to find e-Journals in Tri-College

Concordia e-journals search Citation Finder
MSUM e-journals search A-to-Z online serials directory  
NDSU e-journals search e-Journals

What are eReserves?

An eReserve is an electronic copy of an article placed on a web page to be accessed by members of a particular class. Creating an eReserve is a complex process which includes copyright clearance (with attendant fees), time to scan items, time to check scanned items for errors, equipment, security system to maintain access integrity and someone to manage the system. An article that is scanned and placed on a web site without copyright clearance and safeguards in place to control access may be in violation of copyright law.

Can SFX be used to create an eReserve?

No, but OpenURL linking from within a course page has the same result.

How can I place a direct link to an article on a web page?

Some databases allow you to copy, cut, paste their links for an article on a faculty resource page that takes a student directly to the article without violating copyright law. Check with a librarian to make sure this is possible or for instruction on how to do this..

What is OpenURL linking?

OpenURL linking is a protocol that uses persistent identifiers in the form of a URL that allows various resources to link. A PURL (Persistent Universal Resource Locator) or DOI are commonly used in OpenURLs. A resource must have OpenURL linking capability in order to function in the SFX environment.

What is DOI?

DOI or Digital Object Identifier is a persistent identifier used to cite and link electronic documents. The DOI consists of a unique alphanumeric character string which is assigned to a document by the publisher upon the initial electronic publication. DOI’s can be assigned to articles that have not received their full bibliographic information and/or for hyperlinks to documents on the Web. The International DOI Foundation at www.doi.org/introduction.html administers the DOI scheme.

How do I use the DOI number to locate an article?

If you have a DOI number for an article from ScienceDirect or ACS you quickly find that article by entering the DOI number in the search box on this web page http://dx.doi.org

How can I tell if a resource has OpenURL linking capability?

You can search the help files or information on the company that produces the resource, or ask a Librarian.

Who created SFX?

Context-Sensitive Reference Linking software SFX was created by exLibris. The ALEPH software, the basis for our new Integrated Library System (MnPALS), is also a product of exLibris.

Which libraries in Minnesota will have SFX?

University of Minnesota, St. John’s/St. Ben’s, St. Cloud State and Concordia will be the first to implement this new technology. Other libraries have joined since 2005.