Off-campus and wireless access bookmarklet

 Since 2020, the Library recommends LibKey Nomad browser extension for scholarly journal articles instead of the Off-campus and wireless access bookmarklet.

If you can't use LibKey Nomad, consider the bookmarklet described on this page as an alternative. 

 Problems with paywalls?

If you find articles/other resources from off-campus, you may come across sources that deny access or require you to pay. For example:

  • When you use a search engine like Google Scholar or PubMed, and you come across an article with a paywall. 
  • If you receive emails from scholarly academic publishers (such as Table of Contents alerts) which contain links to articles or ebooks. When you click on those links, you are asked to pay for access.

Options for access 

If the Library provides access to these journals or other online resources, you can:

  • Use the LibKey Nomad browser extension, or
  • Search via the SFU Library website (including databases and the Library Catalogue), or 
  • Use this bookmarklet. After you click on it, it will route your computer’s access through the library, allowing you to view material that the library subscribes to.

 What's the difference between the LibKey Nomad browser extension and the Off-campus and wireless access bookmarklet?

LibKey Nomad browser extension

LibKey Nomad will:

  • accurately indicate whether you can access full text via the Library's subscriptions.
  • route your browser to our Interlibrary Loans (ILL) service if the item you want is not available via the SFU Library, so you can request the item from another library.

LibKey Nomad works best for scholarly journals with accurate and durable linking structures, metadata and DOI numbers.

Off-campus and wireless access bookmarklet

The bookmarklet:

  • does NOT have detailed knowledge of Library holdings or subscriptions, and may incorrectly indicate full access.
  • will NOT route your computer to the Interlibrary Loans (ILL) service.

The bookmarklet works well for library subscriptions to trade journals/magazines and other websites that are not journal-oriented.

If you access library resources through the Library's site, you do not need to use this bookmarklet or LibKey Nomad.

 Setting up the bookmarklet

For Chrome and Safari
  • Follow the usual steps to "Bookmark this page"
  • Add the bookmark. You can change the name if you want to. Click on Add.
  • Go to Bookmarks on the Safari menu and seled "Edit Bookmarks"
  • Select the Bookmark you just added - right-click and select "Edit Address"
  • Then copy and paste the code below into the address field. 
    • javascript:void(location.href="http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url="+location.href)
For Firefox & mobile devices (Safari iOS/ iPhone/ iPad)
  • Follow the usual steps to "Bookmark" this webpage and Save. 
  • Then view your bookmarks and select the one you just saved to edit. 
  • Replace the URL with the code below in the URL field.
    • javascript:void(location.href="http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url="+location.href)
For Microsoft Edge on a PC
  • Add this page to the Favourites bar by clicking on the star in the URL address bar on the right.
  • Right-click on the saved page on the Favourites bar or select it from the Favourites menu.
  • Then copy and paste the the following into the URL box:
    • javascript:void(location.href="http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url="+location.href)
For Microsoft Edge on a Mac
  • From the top menu bar, Select Favourites > Manage Favourites > Add favourite.
  • You should see two input fields. Type the name of the bookmark (i.e. SFU Bookmarklet) in the first field.
  • Then copy and paste the following into the URL box: 
    • javascript:void(location.href="http://proxy.lib.sfu.ca/login?url="+location.href)

 Technical tips:

  • Your browser must allow JavaScript. 
  • If your Bookmarks/Favourites bar is hidden, remember to adjust your browser’s settings to show your Bookmarks/Favourites toolbar.

 How to use the bookmarklet

If you hit a paywall or can't get access:

  • Click on the bookmarklet (which you installed in your browser’s Favourites or Bookmarks).
  • Enter your SFU computing ID and password.
  • In some cases, you may need to use the browser's "Back" button to return to the article or resource.

As long as you keep the browser window open, you will not need to input your ID again. You may, however, need to click on the bookmarklet again in order to access subsequent articles.

Try it out

  1. Install the bookmarklet.
  2. Click on the article title(s) below to go to the source.
  3. If you are denied access, click on the bookmarklet.

“How will AI Change Higher Education?” The Chronicle of Higher Education, 69 (20), 2023.

Sparks, Sarah D. “5 Things Schools Can Do This Summer to Improve Student Attendance Next Year.” Education Week, 44 (3), 2023.

Coskun, I., & Smith, G. (2024). Stability of normal bundles of Brill–Noether curves.

Seela, F., & Chittepu, P. (2008). 6-Azauracil or 8-aza-7-deazaadenine nucleosides and oligonucleotides: the effect of 2'-fluoro substituents and nucleobase nitrogens on conformation and base pairing. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 6(3), 596-607.

 More options for accessing online Library resources

See Accessing online resources from off campus for other tools and options that allow you to gain ready access to material the Library subscribes to on your behalf.