Using Persistent Links

A persistent link, also known as a durable, stable, or permanent link, is an Internet address that connects directly to a specific full-text article in a library database or electronic journal subscription. Persistent links can be placed within Blackboard, course web sites, syllabi and readings lists. They allow students to access articles by linking to OSU Libraries' electronic subscriptions.

Why would you want to link to OSU Library articles owned rather than copying them directly into Blackboard? In a word, copyright! You can link to an article in a database or e-journal and remain copyright compliant, but it is illegal to copy an article without permission to do so. Failure to follow copyright law can result in fines for the department and for the University.

It is important to know that, with the exception of Project Muse, you cannot simply copy the URL that pops up while you have a full text article open in a database and use it to get back to the article. The persistent link must have the OSU proxy embedded in it. Databases usually have a location that shows the persistent link and sometimes the OSU proxy information will be automatically included. In some databases, you will need to add the OSU proxy information to the persistent link. However, creating persistent links is still a fairly simple process of copying and pasting. Don't forget to check your link before posting it!

Contents

• EBSCO
• JSTOR
• Project Muse

Ebsco

1. Persistent links in all EBSCO databases that link to full-text articles include the OSU proxy information and are found by clicking on the title of the article in the results list.
2. Scroll down to find the "Permalink" button in the Tools box on the right-hand side of the page.

Example: The "Permalink" button for this EBSCO article is outlined in red. Click "permalink" and a dialogue box will appear just to the left. Copy the entire link to retrieve the article from the database again. You can also email the link to yourself or send it to your Del.ic.ious, Facebook, Technocrati and a number of other accounts by setting up an Ebsco account. Click on the Bookmark button (also outlined in red) and follow the links.

JSTOR

1. The JSTOR persistent link will always begin with this OSU Library Proxy:
   http://proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/login?url=
   Copy and paste this URL.
2. Find the article's unique persistent link (in JSTOR it is called a "Stable URL") by looking below the journal title (see example below).
3. Copy the entire stable URL.
4. Paste the JSTOR URL you have copied to the end of the OSU proxy URL. The complete URL will look something like this:
   http://proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/3298566

Example: The JSTOR Stable URL is circled in red below.

Project Muse

1. Bring up the full text of the article.
2. Copy the URL as it appears in the address bar at the top of the browser.

A persistent URL in Project Muse will look similar to this:
http://muse.jhu.edu.proxy.library.oregonstate.edu/journals/lion_and_the_unicorn/v033/33.1.jackson.html

Example: The persistent link for a Project Muse article is the same as the URL that appears in the address bar of your browser when the full text of the article is displayed.

Questions?

Please contact a subject librarian or the OSU Cascades Head Librarian & Extended Campus Librarian, , (541) 322-3110.