LibKey Nomad

What is LibKey Nomad?

LibKey Nomad is a third party browser extension (produced by “Third Iron”) which generates a floating link at the bottom left-hand corner of webpages. Where this appears, full-text should be available because University of Edinburgh Library pays for access or because the material is openly available to all.  

On many websites Nomad will also display a "Download PDF" button next to individual journal articles, providing a direct link to the full text.

Websites which are compatible with Nomad include:

• Wikipedia
• Google Books
• PubMed
• Wiley
• Elsevier
• Springer
• Palgrave Macmillan
• Taylor and Francis
• Routledge
• SAGE
• Emerald
• MIT Press

How to get LibKey Nomad

LibKey Nomad is installed on the open access computers in the University’s student computing labs.  

N.B. Activation steps are required. Instructions are given in the "Activation for browsers on the open access computers..." section below.

For everyone else, LibKey Nomad browser extension can be downloaded from Third Iron’s website to install on staff and personal desktop computers or laptops (Windows and macOS).   There are versions of the extension available for several browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari.

LibKey Nomad is not compatible with mobile, or tablet-based browsers.

Installing LibKey Nomad

Download and install LibKey Nomad from the Third Iron website.  

1. Choose the version of the extension for your preferred browser(s) and follow the installation instructions.
2. When prompted, browse or search for "University of Edinburgh" and select this as the organisation.

The Nomad logo will appear in your list of browser extensions. 

3. Select the Extensions icon in the top right of your browser window to view your installed extensions.

Activation for browsers on the open access computers in the University’s computing labs

Although the Nomad extension is installed on the open access computers, you have to activate it on each web browser you use.  You should only have to do this once, after which, LibKey Nomad will be active for those browsers on any open access computer you log into. 

Instructions for Chrome, Edge and Firefox web browsers:

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge:

1. Click on the Extensions icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen
2. Click on the "LibKey Nomad" extension
3. When prompted, browse or search for "University of Edinburgh" and select this as the organisation

Firefox:

1. Click on the Extensions icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen
2. Click on the "LibKey Nomad" extension
3. A message appears asking the user to confirm that LibKey Nomad can collect anonymous data. Click the button to confirm.
4. When prompted, browse or search for "University of Edinburgh" and select this as the organisation

What does LibKey Nomad do?

Once you have installed the LibKey Nomad browser extension, a Nomad button will appear when you are searching some databases or publisher websites.  The button will provide direct access to full-text PDFs of journal articles, eBooks and other resources.

The absence of a link or button to full-text does not mean the Library has not got what you want. Search DiscoverEd for the journal or book (or source) title to be sure.

DiscoverEd

LibKey Nomad also allows library staff to generate advice banners for some websites, for example to provide details of additional authentication that may be required.

These banners can also be used to display time sensitive information about known problems with particular resources.

You can hide these information banners by clicking on the X button to the right of the message text.

How to switch LibKey Nomad off and on

Go to your browser's Extensions area and switch off (or on) the LibKey Nomad extension to disable it (or to enable it again). 

The procedure varies depending on the browser you are using.

Example from Firefox:

1. Use either the settings option for LibKey Nomad in the Extensions area or choose “Manage extensions”.
2. Disable by toggling off.
3. Re-enable by going to your browser’s Extension area and toggling it back on.

Further information about LibKey Nomad

Further information about LibKey Nomad is available in this short demonstration video provided by the supplier, Third Iron.