LibX

What is LibX?

LibX lets you quickly check to see if resources you find on the web are available through the Ryerson Library and makes your researching more efficient by providing shortcuts to commonly used Library services.

How it Works

LibX is a plugin that is installed in your browser.  Installation instructions for Firefox and IE can be found below.

Key Features

1. Browser Toolbar:
   
   LibX will install a toolbar in your Firefox browser that will let you search the Library catalogue or Google Scholar from your browser Toolbar.  This toolbar can be turned on and off by pressing the F9 key on a PC or “Control + F6” on a Mac.
   
   
   
   The LibX toolbar allows you to search the catalogue by Keyword, Title, Author, Subject, ISSN/ISBN, Call Number and Journal Title.  In addition you can highlight words on a web page then click and drag them to the Scholar or Search Ryerson Library Catalogue buttons to perform a search for those words.
   
   
2. Right-Click Menu
   
   Highlight text on any web page or pdf and right click to get a menu of options:
   
   
   
   

   Select an option from this menu to perform the search. Menus will vary depending upon the text or numbers you select.

3. Automatic Document Linking
   
   LibX will create links from document identification numbers (DOIs ,PubMed numbers, ISBNs and ISSNs).  These can help you link you to the full text of articles if the Library has a subscription to these journals or can initiate a catalogue search in the case of ISBNs and ISSNs.
   

4. Library Logo Embedded in other Websites:
   
   Search the Ryerson Library from Indigo/Chapters, Amazon and the New York Times Book Review by clicking on the small cue  next to book titles. 
   
   

5. Reload pages via the Ryerson Library:
   
   When you are off-campus  you may encounter a journal, database or report that only permits subscription access or asks for you to pay.  The Ryerson Library may provide free access to these resources.  To check, just right-click the page you’re on and choose the Reload [site]via Ryerson Library (for remote access) option. This will only work when you are off-campus.

   

Installation Instructions for Firefox

1. Download Ryerson's Firefox LibX application.
   
   
2. If you get the following warning:, “Firefox prevented this site (libx.org) from asking you to install software on your computer.”, do the following:
   
   (Firefox 3.x) - Click on the Allow Button.
   
   (Firefox 2.x) - Click the Edit Options button. Click the Allow button to allow libx.org to install Firefox add-ons, then close the Allowed sites window.
    
3. Click the Install Now button.
   
   
4. Restart Firefox after installing LibX.  You will know if you installation is successful when you see the LibX toolbar in your browser.

Installation Instructions for IE

1. Download Ryerson's IE LibX application.
   
   
2. Save the file.
   
   
3. Double click on the saved file.
   
   
4. Click on Run
   
   
5. Walk through the set up wizard to install.

LibX Tips and Tricks

Toolbar Toggle

You can turn the toolbar on and off by clicking on the Ryerson Library icon in the status bar or by clicking the “F9” key on a PC or “Control + F6” on a Mac.

ISBN/ISSN Links

LibX’s autolink function automatically creates links from ISBNs and ISSN wherever they are found on the web.  Click on the ISBN/ISSN link to search the Ryerson Library catalogue.

xISBN

With xISBN you can find books in the Ryerson Library catalogue even when the Library’s copy is a slightly different from the copy displayed on another website.  We may have the hardcover edition of a paperback, or a Canadian edition of an American title.

LibX Preferences

You can edit your LibX preferences by clicking on the Ryerson LibX menu on the toolbar.

Uninstalling LibX

To uninstall LibX from Firefox, go to Tools > Add-Ons.  Select the LibX entry on the list then click “Uninstall”.  You will be prompted to re-start Firefox.

TO uninstall LibX from IE, use the Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel.

More Information

More detailed information is available at the official LibX website.

The Ryerson Library LibX version for Firefox has had downloads since it was created!

The Ryerson Library LibX version for Internet Explorer has had downloads since it was created!