Expanded Access to Electronic Resources

When the COVID-19 pandemic began closing libraries and research centers, many publishers and vendors removed paywalls and other restrictions to select electronic journals, books, and other resources. To reach this expanded content, you may need to search within the publisher’s interface through the links below.

Smithsonian Libraries and Archives hosts thousands of digitized materials, full-text electronic resources, and open access content through the Library Research Tools page. To find that full text content, search for books and articles in the OneSearch box, then limit results to “full-text online," or browse our E-journals, E-books, and Databases. These resources are available for off-site access by Smithsonian staff by simply clicking on these links and entering your SI network credentials. More information about remote access to electronic resources can be found on Off-Site Access to Electronic Resources​. 

Questions? Contact Us and we can help you find and access the resources you need.  

Expanded Access to Journal Articles and eBooks

Accel5

  • Accel5 offers business book summaries, videos, and articles.
  • Free content about remote work, stress management, and recovery leadership following crisis.

Brill

  • Brill has opened up access to books and articles on topics such as public health, distance learning, crisis research.
  • Books may be downloaded as PDF files.

Internet Archive

  • The Internet Archive (IA) allows you to check out any of the 1.4 million books currently in their lending library (up to ten books at a time)
  • Topics across IA include natural and physical sciences, art, history, and culture. This collection focuses on books and journals published during the 20th century.
  • A free IA account is required. You may read the books online in your browser, or in some cases, download them into Adobe Digital Editions, a free piece of software used for managing loans.
  • Checkouts are renewable every hour, pending availability. 
  • The Internet Archive also offers free public access to 2.5 million fully downloadable public domain books.

JSTOR Expanded Access

  • JSTOR is making an expanded set of primary source material freely available to participating institutions through June 30, 2023 due to COVID-19.
  • Not all content may be available in Smithsonian Libraries OneSearch, so search within JSTOR itself, to find additional content.

COVID-19 Specific Material

BioOne

  • BioOne and its publishers, in collaboration with the Association of Research Libraries, have made articles related to coronavirus in several journals available via ongoing open access.

Elsevier

  • Elsevier’s free health and medical research on novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

GrantForward

  • GrantForward, a popular funding database normally is only available through subscription, has compiled a free list of dozens of potential funding sources available related to the COVID-19 crisis.
  • If you have questions or need assistance in preparing a grant application, please contact the Office of Sponsored Projects, ospmail@si.edu, or call 202-633-7111.

ProQuest Coronovirus Research Database

National Institute of Health

  • iSearch COVID-19 Portfolio is the National Institute of Health's (NIH) comprehensive, expert-curated source for publications and preprints related to either COVID-19 or the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

SpringerNature

  • SpringerNature has provided access to research articles about the coronavirus from its journals, as well as additional commentary and relevant books on this topic.

Wiley

  • Wiley is making a collection of journal articles and book chapters on coronavirus research freely available to the global scientific community.
  • On workdays, newly published articles are made free within 24 hours of publication. Articles published after 14:00 (EST) on Friday will be made free the following Monday.

Additional Resources on COVID-19

Visit research guides developed by university libraries that are closely tracking the availability of open access materials:

Last Updated January 27, 2023