LinkSource FAQs 

1. What is item-level linking?
   Most databases allow the end user to find items (articles, books, documents, etc.) on a particular topic. Links provided at the item level to either the full text of an item or to other resources relevant to the item are referred to as "item-level links." LinkSource provides item-level links.
   
   
2. Does LinkSource provide an interface for database searching?
   No, LinkSource is not a search interface. Its role is to construct context-sensitive links to full text or other services related to an item being referenced.
   
   
3. Is LinkSource a metasearch tool?
   No, LinkSource is not a search interface. See the definition for "Metasearch Engine" in the Glossary below.
   
   
4. How will end users access LinkSource?
   LinkSource is accessed from links that will be found, at the item level, in a variety of online information systems. A user's research starts in an OpenURL-compliant system (such as EBSCO Publishing's EBSCOhost® service or Medline's PubMed®). Once an item of interest is found, a click on the LinkSource link or icon allows the user to view the menu of LinkSource links.
   
   
5. Will the library need to add a link to LinkSource on their library resources page?
   No, LinkSource is accessed from within other online information resources, not directly, and will be activated from within each of these systems.
   
   
6. Does LinkSource have a separate administrative interface?
   LinkSource is managed through the EBSCO A-to-Z® administrative application. The customer will decide the configuration display rules to drive LinkSource. Setup of SmartLinks and CustomLinks are handled through the CustomLink Manager.
   
   
7. How can customers activate LinkSource with their vendors?
   Some vendors require that customers activate LinkSource within the vendors' administrator sites, and others require an e-mail from the customer. Either way, we have done the research for customers. Visit the EBSCO Support site, which has numerous FAQs about activating LinkSource for specific vendor sites.
   
   

Most databases allow the end user to find items (articles, books, documents, etc.) on a particular topic. Links provided at the item level to either the full text of an item or to other resources relevant to the item are referred to as "item-level links." LinkSource provides item-level links. No, LinkSource is not a search interface. Its role is to construct context-sensitive links to full text or other services related to an item being referenced. No, LinkSource is not a search interface. See the definition for "Metasearch Engine" in the Glossary below. LinkSource is accessed from links that will be found, at the item level, in a variety of online information systems. A user's research starts in an OpenURL-compliant system (such as EBSCO Publishing's EBSCOhost® service or Medline's PubMed®). Once an item of interest is found, a click on the LinkSource link or icon allows the user to view the menu of LinkSource links.No, LinkSource is accessed from within other online information resources, not directly, and will be activated from within each of these systems. LinkSource is managed through the EBSCO A-to-Z® administrative application. The customer will decide the configuration display rules to drive LinkSource. Setup of SmartLinks and CustomLinks are handled through the CustomLink Manager. Some vendors require that customers activate LinkSource within the vendors' administrator sites, and others require an e-mail from the customer. Either way, we have done the research for customers. Visit the EBSCO Support site, which has numerous FAQs about activating LinkSource for specific vendor sites.