The document provides 17 methods for accessing PDF versions of academic papers and journals, either through the library's subscriptions or other open access options. Some of the key methods mentioned include using the library's Get It button in databases like PubMed, installing browser extensions like Connect and Kopernio that integrate with the library's proxy server, searching hashtags on social media, or as a last resort considering Sci-Hub but noting its illegal status in many countries. The document aims to help readers find legal ways to obtain PDFs through different tools and services.

1. 1
T H E L E A N L I B R A R Y
The library in YOUR browser at all times. This plugin
into the browser makes OFF-CAMPUS access to full-
text, but also all digital content en sources of the
library very easy.
You don't have to find the library, it finds you!
Download LeanLibrary from:
https://www.leanlibrary.com/download/item244
3 U S E D O I - L I N K I N P U B M E D
Use the DOI-link presented in each PubMed-record, if you
think the Get it!-button is not working properly.
If you can download the PDF there, then the library has a
subscription (or it's free or Open Access).
If you can not download the PDF from there, we do not
have a current subscription for access to the full-text.
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U S E E D U R O A M - W I F I I N U M C G
Using the Eduroam wifi inside the UMCG, will get you
access to the PDF without having to use the library proxy-
login!
On a collection size of 50.000 online journals, there is
always a small amount of ongoing issues. Please contact us,
if you notice something is wrong (cmb@umcg.nl)
C O N N E C T - T O O L I N B R O W S E R
No matter where you are online, this button will take you
from the so-called PAYWALL, directly to the PDF, with a
push of the button (via the library proxy-login)
Details on how to install the CONNECT-button are here
and a short instruction-video.
http://proxy-ub.rug.nl/public/proxy_en.html
Find the full-text of e-journals INSIDE OR
OUTSIDE the collection of the library
ALL OPTIONS
by Guus van den Brekel Central Medical Library UMCG
updated: September 28th 2018
G O O G L E S C H O L A R B U T T O N
Simular to the CONNECT-button, but also searches for all
possible other available pdf's out there of the same
publication
for CHROME | Firefox
K O P E R N I O
Get instant notifications of available versions from your
library or otherwise. If you register with your
institutional email, you will never have to login again
off-campus to get your pdf's, thanks to the connected
proxy-settings. Promising features like a personal
Locker, saved articles and more
http://kopernio.com (α-testing & free for now )
U S E U N P A Y W A L L I N B R O W S E R
Get full-text of research papers as you browse, using
Unpaywall's index of 10 million legal, open access articles.
From Chrome only momentarily http://unpaywall.org/
(Great thanks to Björn Brems blog-post “SO YOUR INSTITUTE WENT COLD TURKEY ON PUBLISHER X. WHAT NOW?)
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HOW TO
GET THE
PDF? 1/2
2 T H E G E T I T ! B U T T O N
It's presented in almost all our scientific bibliographic
databases, like Pubmed, WoS etc.
To see the button, ALWAYS start using PubMed or any
other database, e-journal or e-book VIA OUR WEBSITE
http://www.rug.nl/cmb or http://www.umcg.cmb

2. 10 H A S H T A G # I C A N H A Z P D F
Use the hashtag #icanhazpdf together with a link to the
requested publication; if somebody has access, they can
send you the PDF.
11 R E Q U E S T P D F V I A L I B R A R Y
This is not free, but often a fast option, and much cheaper
than buying it from the publisher. We have special rates for
staff, phd's and students!
This is OUR REQUEST A COPY FORM of the CMB UMCG
12 R E Q U E S T C O P Y V I A A U T H O R
Request a copy from the AUTHOR directly: often not the
fastest way, but traditionally a well-used route to get pdf's .
13 B U Y F R O M P U B L I S H E R
You can of course BUY it from the Publisher or Journal
itself anyway...
14 U S E R E A D B Y Q X M D J O U R N A L A P P
https://www.readbyqxmd.com
By registering as Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
staff members, ánd the use of the library proxy-login, you
can get a personalised way of access to the latest medical
publications, get alerts on new content relevant for you,
ánd of course, direct access to the PDFs.
U S E B R O W Z I N E J O U R N A L A P P
http://browzine.com
By registering as University of Groningen/UMCG staff ánd
the use of the library proxy-login, you can get a
personalised way of access to all Tables of Content you
wish for, ánd direct access to the PDFs of ALL our e-
journals.
T R Y R E S E A R C H G A T E
Many researchers have joined the social network for
scientists ResearchGate. And many make their pdf's
(with and without copyright) available inside
ResearchGate for download, or offer the option to
request it from the author. We know that this is also
possible in Academia.edu
Q U E S T I O N S ? N E E D H E L P ?
Please contact us, if you need help using one or more of these
tools or tips. Also if you notice something is wrong
email: cmb@umcg.nl website http://www.umcg.nl/cmb
(Great thanks to Björn Brems blog-post “SO YOUR INSTITUTE WENT COLD TURKEY ON PUBLISHER X. WHAT NOW?)
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HOW TO
GET THE
PDF? 2/2
9 O P E N A C C E S S B U T T O N
This button works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet
Explorer and Edge. You have to do a simple email login, to
install it. https://openaccessbutton.org/
I F A L L E L S E F A I L S . . S C I - H U B ?
If all else fails, you have the option to consider using Sci-
Hub. There is however a big BUT! There is a RISK in
using this "service". In many countries the use of Sci-
Hub is considered as an "illegal act", as if involves
content protected by copyright laws. As library, we can
not advice the use of Sci-Hub, but research shows the
use is worldwide ánd substantial. Use at your own risk.
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