Database Search
Full-Text on the Web
The PAU Library purchases published materials in print and electronic format to meet the educational and research needs of our community.
Additionally—thanks to the open-access commitments made by many legitimate information providers—scholarly content may be also found in full-text on the Web. The PAU Library is committed to facilitating the use of these material by providing access via the vetted sources described on this page.
Scroll down to view recommended websites for locating free full-text.
Note: When You Cannot Locate Full-Text on the Web
If you find an item of interest on the Web but are unable to locate a full-text link, your next step is to search for a full-text link in the library databases and Discovery library catalog. If you find the item, but the library does not provide a full-text link, you may request the item using the automated request link in the item's database or catalog record. If you cannot find the item, or if a full-text link is broken, you may manually submit an interlibrary loan (ILL) request form for a single document (e.g., a book chapter or journal article) or an item request form for a complete item (e.g., an entire book).
Searching the Web for Full-Text
Google Scholar
Google Scholar may be used to conduct a broad search of the scholarly literature. Results may include a range of materials, including articles, theses, books, abstracts, and court opinions. Content is available from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities, and other websites. Complete information for using Google Scholar for your research at PAU is provided in the guide linked below!
Full-text results from a Google Scholar search will display as clickable links. Occasionally, these links will go to a paywall. If paid access is available through the PAU Library, you will be able to see and click on the PAU full-text links in your Google Scholar results if you set that up in advance using the link provided below and log in using your PAU email credentials.
LibKey Nomad
LibKey Nomad is a browser plugin that will connect you to full-text available from the PAU Library, as well as from scholarly sources that provide free content online, when you conduct your research on the Web.
You can use the link below to navigate to the LibKey Nomad plugin installation page. When you get to the installation page, you will see a button that says “Get LibKey Nomad Now.” Click on that button, then select the browser(s) where you would like to install the plugin. You won’t need to create an account, but you will need to select "Palo Alto University" from the list of LibKey Nomad institutions once you click on the "Add" button for each brower you choose.
Once you install the plugin and start your search, LibKey Nomad will alert you to full-text availability by displaying a clickable button.
LibKey Nomad
PubMed
PubMed is a database containing millions of citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Citations may include links to full text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.
PubMed PubMed Account Sign Up PubMed User GuideResearchGate
ResearchGate enables researchers from around the globe and across academic disiplines to connect, collaborate, and share their research, thereby eliminating barriers to information access. A free account is required to download and/or request content, which includes published materials as well as author manuscripts.
ResearchGate ResearchGate Account Sign Up ResearchGate Start Up GuideInternet Archive
The Internet Archive is a digital library that provides free access to a wide range of materials — including books, movies, music, art, television shows, podcasts, and software — and advocates for a free and open Internet. Many older books in psychology and counseling are available through the Internet Archive as the result of extensive digitization projects. Materials may be borrowed for short-term use, primary online, via the Internet Archive website (linked below). The terms of use are explained in the Internet Archive record for each item.
Access to the Internet Archive requires a free account, which you may set up using the link below. Also linked below are guides on search basics and borrowing.
Directory of Open Access Journals
Open Access Theses and Dissertations
Other Academic Libraries
There may be times when you cannot get a book, journal article, or other item you need—at all, or in a timely manner—using the PAU Library or its interlibrary loan (ILL) services, or by searching the Web. Under these circumstances, you might want to see if you can go to another college or university library to download or check out the materials in person.
If you are in the Palo Alto area, Stanford University offers free guest access for up to seven days per calendar year, according to their visitor policies. Beyond that, they offer library cards for purchase. Stanford is particularly helpful if you need materials on medical or psychiatric topics. You can search Stanford's SearchWorks library catalog to explore the collections at their various libraries. Use the links below to get started.
If you want to perform a general search for library materials from other colleges and universities in your area, you can use our Discovery library catalog—just as you would for a general search of the PAU library collection—using the link below. Once you get to the results page, select "Libraries Worldwide" from the options listed in the "Held by Library" dropdown menu on the left. Once you locate an item of interest, click on the title, then scroll down the page and click on the button under "Other Availability & Holdings." You can enter your address or zip code, in place of the default address for PAU, and then click on the "Change Location" button to see if an academic library near you has the item.
The PAU Library is a member of the Northern California Consortium of Psychology Libraries (NCCPL). NCCPL libraries are particularly helpful if you need materials on specialized topics—like spirituality and religion—as they relate to psychology. NCCPL members are listed at the link below. Please email librarian@paloaltou.edu to obtain a borrowing card if you would like to visit one of these libraries and use their print and/or electronic materials.
Otherwise, guest access at other colleges and universities varies, so we advise contacting the library you hope to visit in advance to ask about vistor policies.
Stanford Libraries Visitor Access Stanford Libraries SearchWorks Catalog PAU Library Discovery Catalog NCCPL Member LibrariesPublic Libraries
You may also perform a general search for library materials from public libraries in your area using our Discovery library catalog. Click on the link below, then enter your search terms just as you would for a general search of the PAU library collection. Once you get to the results page, select "Libraries Worldwide" from the options listed in the "Held by Library" dropdown menu on the left. Once you locate an item of interest, click on the title, then scroll down the page and click on the button under "Other Availability & Holdings." You can enter your address or zip code, in place of the default address for PAU, and then click on the "Change Location" button to see if a public library near you has the item.
For access to the digital and print resources at your local public library, contact the library directly to sign up for a library card. If you are a resident of California, you may sign up for a library card from any California public library. To sign up for a library card from the Palo Alto City Library or from the Santa Clara County Library District, use the links below.
Like the PAU Library, public libraries offer interlibrary loan services. To obtain rapid, free delivery of books from academic and public libraries in California, look for Link+ service at your local public library. Link+ is a lending service that gives borrowers free access to thousands of scholarly books. Link+ books are delivered to your local public library, usually within 3 or 4 days. For more information on Link+, check with the public library in the town where you live, work, or attend classes. As an example, Link+ information from the Palo Alto City Library is linked below.
Public libraries that do not participate in Link+ may offer other interlibrary loan options, usually for a fee. As an example information regarding fee-based interlibrary loan services at the Santa Clara County Library District is linked below.
PAU Library Discovery Catalog Sign up for a Palo Alto City Library Account Sign up for a Santa Clara County Library District Account Link+ at the Palo Alto City Library Interlibrary Loan at Santa Clara County Library District Libraries