How to Connect Google Scholar with Simon Fraser University SFU Library for Full-Text Access

1. Why linking Google Scholar with SFU Library matters

Google Scholar is a powerful research tool that indexes journal articles, conference papers, theses, books and other scholarly materials. But when you search via Google Scholar without your institutional access set up, you may hit paywalls or see only abstracts. By configuring Google Scholar to “see” your institution’s library subscriptions, you get direct access to full-text material that SFU Library subscribes to. SFU Library notes: “Authorized users can obtain full text links to SFU Library resources by going to Google Scholar Settings and clicking on Library links. Then type and select Simon Fraser University – Get@SFU and Save.” 
That means when you search Google Scholar while signed in or from a recognized network, you will often see links like “Get@SFU” or “Full-text at SFU” next to results. Using this method, you make sure you’re using the library’s subscription access rather than being blocked by paywalls.

2. Step-by-step: Setting up Library Links in Google Scholar

Here’s how to connect Google Scholar with SFU Library for full-text access:

Step a: Go to Google Scholar

Open your browser and navigate to scholar.google.com. If you’re off-campus, it’s best to use SFU’s VPN or proxy if available, though some links work without it once Library Links are enabled.

Step b: Open Settings → Library links
In the top left of Google Scholar you’ll see a menu icon (three horizontal lines). Click it, then select Settings. In the Settings menu, pick Library links.
Step c: Search for Simon Fraser University
In the “Library links” search bar, type “Simon Fraser University”. A result should appear like “Simon Fraser University – Get@SFU”. Tick the check-box. Then click Save.
Google Scholar confirms that from now on it will show links to SFU Library where available.
Step d: Search for articles
Now when you run searches in Google Scholar, repeated results will show a link like Get@SFU or similar. Click that link to access the full-text using SFU’s subscription.
Step e: Off-campus access
If you are off-campus, you may be prompted to sign in with your SFU computing ID or via a proxy/VPN. Once signed in, you’ll still follow the Get@SFU links to access full text.

This process works because SFU Library has configured its collection so that Google Scholar “knows” the institution’s subscription holdings. SFU’s database record for Google Scholar confirms this: “Authorized users can obtain full text links to SFU Library resources … by going to Google Scholar Settings … select Simon Fraser University - Get@SFU and Save.”

3. Installing browser extensions for improved access

In addition to setting the library link, SFU Library recommends using tools like the LibKey Nomad browser extension. The library record states: “OR use the Libkey Nomad browser extension to gain access to the full text licensed by SFU Library.”
Here’s how you set it up:

• In your browser’s extension store (Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons) search for LibKey Nomad.

• Install the extension and link it with SFU Library.

• When you browse articles online (e.g., via Google Scholar or a publisher site), if SFU has access, LibKey will show a “Download PDF – Get@SFU” button directly on the page.

• This reduces the number of steps needed and avoids paywalls by leveraging your library subscription.

Using both Library Links and LibKey gives you a smoother experience and ensures you don’t miss full-text material you’re entitled to.

4. Searching Google Scholar effectively with SFU access

Once setup is complete, you’ll want to use Google Scholar with tactics that maximise access and relevance. Here are practical tips:

• Use quotation marks for exact phrases: e.g., "renewable energy policy Canada".

• Sort by date to find the most recent research.

• Click Cited by links to see who has cited a paper you found — helps trace influence and newer papers.

• After clicking a Get@SFU link, check whether you are seeing “Download PDF – Get@SFU” or “Full text – SFU Library”. If you get a paywall instead, look for alternative versions (preprints, institution repository).

• Use SFU Library’s Library Search tool (via search.lib.sfu.ca). Some magazines, books, or chapters are accessible via that search and may also appear in Google Scholar results. 

5. Common issues and how to troubleshoot

Even after linking Google Scholar with SFU, you might run into access problems. Here’s how to fix them:

Problem: Result does not show “Get@SFU”

• That could mean SFU Library does not subscribe to that particular journal or the journal’s metadata isn’t correctly linked.

• Solution: Use Library Search to find the journal or issue directly, or request an inter-library loan.
  Problem: Clicking Get@SFU still leads to paywall

• This usually means you aren’t signed in through SFU’s proxy or VPN.

• Solution: Use SFU’s VPN (if you have one) or sign in with your SFU credentials when prompted.
  Problem: Off-campus access fails

• Ensure you’re using the proper login method for off-campus access (SFU computing ID, multi-factor authentication if required).

• Clear browser cache or try an incognito/private window.
  Problem: LibKey extension not working

• Make sure you’ve configured it for SFU. Check the extension’s settings to ensure SFU is set as the institution.

• Some browsers block extensions or need permissions — ensure the extension is enabled for the site you’re using.
  If you still have difficulties, the SFU Library’s Research Commons offers help and the Ask a Librarian service is available.

6. Benefits for students and researchers

Connecting Google Scholar with SFU Library gives you several advantages:

• Instant full-text access means you spend less time hunting down PDFs and more time reading and analysing.

• Better coverage of journals and books through SFU’s subscriptions means you aren’t limited to open-access versions only.

• Ability to download articles legally and cite them properly in your work.

• Faster literature review: once the links are direct, you can grab results, save them to a reference manager, and skip paywall delays.

For graduate students or early-career researchers, this access makes a real difference in productivity and depth of research.

7. Best practices when using full-text articles

While getting access is important, how you use full-text articles matters. Here are some good practices:

• Save the PDF to your reference manager immediately (Zotero, Mendeley, etc) and attach metadata.

• Always verify the source: ensure you have the correct journal name, volume, year, authors. Google Scholar metadata sometimes has errors.

• Keep a log of key articles: author, year, journal, relevance to your question. This helps when you write literature reviews or theses.

• Use SFU’s citation style guides and library help pages — this ensures your citations meet academic standards.

• If you encounter paywalls or unavailable content, use SFU’s Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service rather than pirated copies.

8. Off-campus tips and mobile access

If you’re working from home or off-campus:

• Use SFU’s VPN or remote access page if required.

• Use LibKey Nomad extension, as it works on many sites and will detect when full-text is available via SFU even if Google Scholar didn’t show the link.

• Use the SFU Library website’s “Login” or “My Account” link before searching; sometimes the session must be active to access full-text links.

• If using a mobile device, make sure your browser is set to desktop view or install the LibKey mobile app (if available) to simplify full-text access.

9. Privacy and ethical considerations

When you access full-text through SFU Library links, be aware of copyright and institutional licensing:

• Only current SFU students, staff and faculty typically have full access. Alumni or public users may have limited access.

• Do not share the full-text PDFs publicly in violation of license agreements.

• If you download articles, keep them for personal use and research. Do not distribute them without permission.

• Be aware of proper citation and referencing: using full-text means you’re more likely to engage deeply, not just skim abstracts, which improves academic integrity.

10. Troubleshooting summary and help resources

Here’s a quick checklist if you run into problems:

• Have you enabled Library Links in Google Scholar and selected “Simon Fraser University – Get@SFU”?

• Are you signed in with your SFU computing ID (especially off-campus)?

• Do you have the LibKey Nomad extension installed and configured for SFU?

• Have you tried clearing your browser cache or using a different browser?

• If a link says paywall despite being “Get@SFU”, check if the journal is covered by SFU Library, or request it via interlibrary loan.

• Need help? Use “Ask a Librarian” or book an appointment at SFU Library’s Research Commons. 

Note

By linking Google Scholar with SFU Library, you unlock a powerful research workflow: easier discovery, direct full-text access and more efficient literature reviews. The setup is simple — enable Library Links in Google Scholar, install the LibKey extension, and ensure you’re signed in with your SFU credentials. Once configured, you spend less time battling paywalls and more time reading and analysing. For students and researchers at SFU, this means faster academic progress, better access to resources and stronger research outcomes.

If you follow the steps above and use the best practices, you’ll harness the full power of Google Scholar plus SFU’s subscription library — turning your research process into something smoother and more effective.