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LinkOut

LinkOut for Libraries is a service that provides access for PubMed users to their library's journal collections, both electronic and print. When a user finds a citation in PubMed, he or she can click on the library's icon and see either the full text of the article or a listing of the library's print holdings.

  • To test drive LinkOut, go to the NN/LM LinkOut Demo Site at to see articles with the NN/LM Demo icon.   This site provides access to one large library's print collection and to free full text journals so that you are able to experience clicking through to the full text.

  • LinkOut Home Page.

  • The LinkOut online manuals cover technical information, policies, and general information for libraries and full-text providers.

  • The Setting Up LinkOut for Libraries tutorial includes step-by-step guidance and pictures to help libraries begin to participate in LinkOut. 

  • The LinkOut FAQ page contains answers to some of the most frequent questions about LinkOut, including cost, library icons, statistics, and more.

How to Get Started

  1. Read about LinkOut - Read especially the Overview, FAQ, and Library Files Submission section of the LinkOut Home Page.

  2. Manage your journal records - Discuss the program with your serials staff. To prepare for linking to full text of electronic journals, analyze your electronic journal holdings information. Make sure your Docline serials holdings information is up-to-date. Determine who in your library will be responsible for maintaining your serials information in LinkOut.

  3. Register for LinkOut - Send a message to NLM to sign up for service.

  4. Create your library's Identity File - Enter basic information about your library - names, URL, and your contact information.

  5. Add your print journal holdings - Use the LinkOut Submission Utility to add your Docline holdings or upload a text file if you do not participate in Docline.

  6. Add your electronic journal holdings -- Use the LinkOut Submission Utility to enter your print holdings or contact your journal vendor to see if they provide a service to do this for you.

  7. Create and register LinkOut icons - We recommend two icons, one for your print collection and one for your electronic collection. If you do not have staff to create icons, contact your LinkOut representative or use the LinkOut default icons.

  8. Create a Shared My NCBI account - With a Shared My NCBI account, you can include a filter tab in PubMed that will display the holdings of your library.

  9. Update the URL on your library web site - You will use a special URL to point your users to a version of PubMed that will display your icons. If you do not have a web site, let your users know the URL so they can access it directly.

  10. Publicize LinkOut - Let your users know about LinkOut, what it does for them, and how best to access your library's information.

  11. Ask questions - If you have questions, contact your LinkOut representative in your region of the NN/LM.