Instant Access vs. Request PDF: Comparing Document Delivery Options

ReadCube users with document delivery have two ways to access full-text articles: Instant On-Demand Access and Request PDF.

Instant On-Demand Access

Instant document delivery is available for specific publishers. Here’s how it works:

1. Once an article is purchased, you have full-text access to the PDF.
2. On the publisher page, the browser extension will display a Get PDF option.
3. Select Get PDF to see a 1-page preview of the article.
4. In the preview, a Buy PDF button will appear. Select this to purchase full-text access to the article.
5. The article will also be automatically imported into your ReadCube library.

Request PDF (with DOI)

If the full-text PDF (with a DOI) is not immediately available, you can request to purchase the article through document delivery. These requests are usually fulfilled within 48-hours.

To order an article through document delivery follow the steps below:

1. Click the Request PDF option.

2. You will receive a confirmation email when the request is placed in the queue.

3. When the order is fulfilled and the PDF is available, you will get an email notification with a direct link to the article in ReadCube.

Requested PDFs will typically be saved in your personal ReadCube library, unless your organization has set up a custom workflow.

Request PDF (without DOI)

You can also request an article even if it does not have a DOI. These requests are usually fulfilled within 48-hours, though make take longer in some cases. To do this, look for the “Request PDF” option:

Cancel a PDF Request

If you no longer need the article or mistakenly requested it, you can cancel the request:

1. Click the Get PDF button again and you’ll see an option to “Cancel Order”, which will remove the order from the queue

1. You will also receive a cancellation confirmation email.