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What is SFX?
At it's simplest, SFX links from a citation (the information about an article) in one database to the full text of that article in another. When you see the SFX logo in your citation, simply click on the logo to see a menu of one or more of the following options related to that specific citation:
SFX saves you time -- you no longer need to write down a citation and then search the online catalog to see if the Library owns a copy. SFX does the work for you!
What does SFX stand for anyway?
SFX is an abbreviation for "special effects" and the name of a software product, purchased by the Texas A&M University System, from Ex Libris, a library automation company. SFX use the OpenURL protocol to gather information -- such as the journal identifier, volume, issue and page -- from a citation in one database and then link to the full text in another. For more information see the SFX web site.
Who can use SFX?
Students, faculty, and staff of any Texas A&M University System institution, whether from inside the library, from your office or dorm, or even when you are away from campus.
Can I use SFX from home?
Yes! Use the Library Databases-Proxy Server link.
How do I use SFX?
From within any SFX-enabled database, find a citation to an article that interests you. Click on the SFX button or link. A new window will open with a menu of options. Click on one of those options. Another new window will open with your selection.
Why are there two options for the full text of some articles?
We sometimes subscribe to an online publication from more than one source. The options on the SFX menu provide you with a choice. Different sources may have different formats. For example: some provide a PDF (reprint) copy, while others provide only plain text. Also, if one online version is not working, the other options provide back-up access.
Why do some full text links say We have full text online in ... and others say Search for full text in ...?
Some databases, such as LexisNexis Academic, don't allow you to link directly to a journal article or even the journal table of contents. In those cases, you have to search the databases by the name of the journal and specific information about your article, such as the author or words from the title. We use Search for full text in ... in the link to identify those articles that will have to be searched for.
Why isn't the full text of the one article I really need available?
Unfortunately, not all articles are available online. It may be that there is simply no online full text available (particularly for older issues) or we may not subscribe to the online version of the journal.
Now what?
First, click the Check for print copy link to see if we have a paper or microform copy in the Library. If we do, you'll need to come into the Library to read the article or make a copy. If we do not, you can use the next link to Request this item through Interlibrary Loan.
Why do only some databases include the SFX option?
SFX required that a database be "OpenURL enabled" and not all of our subscriptions are.
Why can't I see the SFX menu after clicking on the SFX button/link?
SFX uses pop-up windows. If you have pop-up blocking software on your computer, the SFX menu may not show. Turn of your blocking software and everything should be fine.
Why don't I see any buttons?
SFX uses javascript. If you have Javascript disabled in your browser, the buttons will not show. Re-enable Javascript and everything should be fine.
I clicked on We have full text online in ... link but I only get to the journal's home page (or the table of contents for the issue). Why?
SFX will get you as close to the full text as it can. Sometimes you'll go straight to the full text; sometimes you'll have to browse or search the vendor's site yourself to get to the full text. Essentially, a full-text link meants that the full text should be available -- but you may have to do some of the getting to it yourself.
When I click on the We have full text online in ... link, the publisher's web site or database opens, but then I get an error message. Is there full text available or not?
In most cases, these error message mean that the full text is available at the publisher's site, but that the SFX-generated URL wasn't accepted. When this happens, look for a search screen at the publisher's site and search for your article. Remember that you han always refer back to the SFX menu or your original search window for the author and title of your article.
Occasionally, for very recent articles (within the past month), SFX will assume that the article has been loaded when it actually hasn't yet. In this case, your best bet is to try again in a couple of days. In a few cases, the article you need will no longer be available for some reason.
Please report any problems like this using the Problems? Report them using the SFX Problems Form link.
When I go back to make a second selection from the SFX menu, nothing seems to happen. What gives?
This problem is limited to Internet Explorer. When you first click on an option in the SFX menu, IE opens another window on top of your open windows. However, when you go back to the SFX menu and make another selection, IE reuses that other window without popping it to the top. Possible solutions:
Problem? Not getting the results you expected?
From the SFX menu, use the Problems? Report them using the SFX Problems Form link. This link will capture the link that was giving you problems so we can try to figure out what is going on.
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