Creating Persistent Links for

Online Materials at the

University of Calgary

Denise Upton

220-3749
Including Persistent Links in Course Web Pages

What is a persistent link?

  • A link to online material that doesn’t expire over time. Many providers use temporary URLs at the top of an article that will not function at a later attempt.

Why use persistent links?

  • Allows instructors to comply with copyright rules when making material available to students
  • Ensures that authentication will allow remote access to materials for licenced users
  • Reliability of connection

How do I use a persistent link?

  • Instructions for locating persistent links vary from provider to provider.
  • Once located the link may be copied and pasted into Blackboard, CIS or another webpage.
  • Please see below some of the more common providers.

If you come across an article from a provider not included in this guide, please contact Denise Upton ( / 220-3749) for instructions on obtaining the persistent link.

With some providers you may simply use the URL at the top of the pdf document. Some examples of journals like this are:

  • American Journal of Veterinary Research
  • JAMA
  • Canadian Medical Association Journal
  • Journal of Veterinary Medical Education

SFX:

  • One may either click on the SFX button within an SFX enabled database or use the SFX Citation Linker to bring up a screen that indicates whether online full text is available for the item of choice. On this screen is a link to “Create a persistent link – you may want to choose the short persistent.

  • You will be asked to use your U of C IT Account (email) to sign in.

  • On the next screen: Note the long original link – not recommended

  • It is recommended that you select: Create the smallest URL possible This will create the following short URL, which is less likely to break (and therefore not work) than the long URL below:
  • The Customize the small URL option is for those who prefer a little indication of what they're about to get before they click on a URL, so the above could be changed to read:

This embeds the course name, section and semester into the URL above, which helps differentiate this URL from those in other courses, sections or semesters.

OVID (Medline and CAB Abstracts):

Elsevier:

Wiley:

  • Use the URL at the top of the page. Both html and pdf versions will work.

Ebrary:

Library Catalogue:

Questions? Please contact Denise Upton at 220-3749 or

Denise Upton October 2007