FAQ Journals



What do I have to consider by using electronic journals?
To print
When printing an article from format PDF please make sure that you apply the print function of your PDF reader instead of your browser functions.

To Save
You can download and save fulltexts from each computer of the Wissenschaftspark. An exception are the library's thin clients where it is not possible to save (but to print).

Publisher's terms of use
Fulltexts may be printed and/or saved only for personal usage or research purposes. Systematically download, e.g. whole volumes, is prohibited.


May I have access to electronic journals as a member of another institution outside the Wissenschaftspark?
No, you may not. Because of legal licensing reasons these electronic journals are available for employees of the Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein only. You have to place an interlibrary request at your own library.


Are licensed titles also recorded in the EZB?
Yes, they are. On the EZB Homepage you can find all licensed (yellow spot) and free (green spot) available journals of the Wissenschaftspark.


How can I get articles from journals that are not available in the library?
Please place an order for document delivery.


Where can I find journals?
All holdings are findable using our search engine ALBERT. There's the possibility to search for keywords or to use the A-Z list.


Why are among relevant journals also some from foreign subjects in our holdings?
Many journals are acquired as entire package about Nationallizenzen and Consortia. Thus foreign titles coming from automated update processes into the holdings.


Why do I have no fulltext access to certain issues?
Not all volumes are licensed for all titles. For most older volumes would incur additional charges. For example, current issues are not available if it is acquired by Nationallizenzen or are free available after an embargo (e.g., 'Free after two years'). Please gather licensed period from the record's indication 'Holding' in ALBERT. Some examples for holding information:

Go to Journal | Holding: 1.1966 -
means: current available since first volume 1966 as an online journal (Chemical Geology)

Go to Journal | Holding: 9.1997 -
means: current available since 9th volume 1997 as an online journal (Basin Research)

Go to Journal | Holding: 1.1992 - 9.2001
means: available since 1st volume 1992 until 9th volume 2001 as an online journal (Hydrogeology Journal)

Location: 19/2-4 | Holding: 60.1992 -
means: current available since 60th volume 1992 as a printed journal, location compact magazine A17, shelf 19/2-4 (Ecological Modelling)

Location: AWI A43, LZ 13 Mitte | Holding: 34.2002 -
means: current available since 34th volume 2002 as a printed journal, location AWI A43, shelf 13 (Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research)


Who is contact person in terms of journals?
Tobias Hoehnow
Phone: 288 1651
E-Mail: hoehnow@gfz-potsdam.de


The serials crisis or Why journals are getting more and more expensive?
The term serials crisis has become common shorthand for the runaway cost increases of many scholarly journals. The crisis is a result of the cost rising much faster than the rate of inflation; the cost per journal and the number of such journals proliferates, while the funds available to the libraries remains stationary in real terms. (Source: Wikipedia) Read on...


What are national licenses?
To improve sustained supply to German universities, research institutes as well as scientific libraries with electronic specific information, the German Research Foundation (DFG) funds acquisition of national licenses since 2004. The object of this funding is to make freely available databases, digital text collections and electronic journals especially for researchers and students.
By the Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein, employees of GFZ, PIK, AWI have got automatically access to all digital media available through national licenses. To make retrieval easier, the range of national licenses is integrated in the search engine ALBERT.
List of portfolio through national licenses (de)
Information about national licenses (DFG) (de)


What do I need to read electronic fulltexts?
The majority of papers is available as PDF. To open these texts there must be installed a PDF reader on your computer (http://www.softonic.de/suche/pdf-reader). This format reflects the printed issue's layout. Partly fulltexts are also available in HTML format. Some publisher's provide choice between both formats.


How can I order a journal for purchase that is in my opinion just missing in the library?
As the subscription of a journal puts the libary to expenses for years, this is subject to discussions in the library committees.
It is helpful, if you name some colleages who are also interested in that journal. Please complete a "green BA" (purchase requisition) and mail it to the library.


Who can use electronic journals of the Wissenschaftspark?
Employees from GFZ, PIK, AWI are equally entitled to use electronic journals from computers with Internet connection within the Wissenschaftspark. The identification on the publisher's website happens through checking the IP address. Outside the campus there is the possibility to access e-journals using VPN.


Can I have a look at electronic journals from home?
Yes, you can, if you login into the network of the Wissenschaftspark via VPN .