Libx for NCSU Libraries
Installing LibX for Firefox:
Installation note: If Firefox displays a message "To protect your computer, Firefox prevented this site... from installing software on your computer.", press the button labelled "Edit Options..." and click "Allow" add libx.org to the list of websites from which extensions may be installed. Then click "Ok" and visit the "Install" link again.
IE, Safari, or other browsers:
At present, the LibX developers do not support Internet Explorer, Safari, or other browsers. A beta IE version is now available and we will provide an IE-compatible NCSU edition when it becomes more stable.
[ Back ]
Using LibX:
What is this used for?
LibX will help you immediately find information on a topic you're researching, no matter where you're starting from. It integrates with Firefox to make your browsing and research more seamless. You might be reading a newspaper article online in which a book is mentioned and you want to know if the NCSU Libraries have the book. Just right click or plug the search into the toolbar and you're on your way to finding it. Mouse over the graphic below to see how LibX can lead you to the highlighted book.
 LibX has a few basic features that help you find information:
- Library site searching from anywhere. Run searches for books, articles, journals, or anything related to the library through a website search--all directly from the toolbar--no having to get back to the Libraries' web site to start.
- Linking. Use the linking menu on the left of the toolbar to quickly jump to useful library sites. LibX provides a custom set of library bookmarks.
And LibX has other advanced features that will really streamline your work: 1. Right-click searching
As in our initial example above, you can quickly do searches on the Libraries' web site or catalog by highlighting text and right-clicking. You may need to enable this function by checking your LibX Preferences (under the LibX NCSU menu on the left side of the toolbar). Click the Context Menu tab, and select anything you want to have available on the right-click menu. We recommend the NCSU Libraries Website Keyword search and the NCSU Libraries Catalog Keyword search, but you can include as many options as you like.
2. Automatic document linking
LibX will create links from DOIs when you encounter them on any web page. These can help you link to subscriptions maintained by the library so you can find full text of articles. Other document ID numbers such as ISBNs and PubMed IDs will also be recognized by LibX.
3. Embedded cues
LibX will automatically embed NCSU Libraries links into web pages. This works for a select group of major sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Use these links to search the Libraries for the information you're viewing. (Full functionality of this feature is still under development.)
4. Reloading pages via NCSU Libraries
Sometimes you may encounter a journal or database online that only permits subscription access. If the NCSU Libraries subscribe, you can use our website to access them. But with LibX installed, you don't necessarily have to return to the Libraries' web site, then conduct your search all over again. Just right-click the page you're on, and choose the Reload [site] via NCSU Libraries (for remote access) option.
For more details on the LibX toolbar, contact us or visit the LibX website.
[ Back ]
Skeptical about installing a toolbar?
By default, LibX installs a toolbar, which can be off-putting. Note that you can easily hide it. Importantly, all of the advanced functions of LibX listed above still work even when the toolbar is hidden! After installation, you'll see an NCSU logo along the bottom of the browser window. Clicking it gives you the option of hiding the toolbar. If you don't use the searching function (or if you prefer a more integrated tool like the catalog plugin for the search bar) you can also hide the LibX toolbar and retain the advanced functions.
[ Back ]
Contact Us
[ Back ]
|
