E Resources for Online Learning

A permalink is a URL that will consistently lead to a specific article, e-book, a record in the catalog, a video, or other e-resources in our collection. 

A permalink may also be called a persistent link, stable link, durable link, permanent link, persistent link, document URL or bookmark, depending on the resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find permalinks?
Most databases include the permalink somewhere in the article record.  The terms used and the location of these links in the record vary from one database to another. 
 

Why can't I just copy the URL in my browser's address bar?
URLs that appear in the address bar of your web browser when you search the library's subscription databases usually contain dynamically generated, session-based or search-based information that will not work when copied and used at a later time.
 

Why would I use a permalink rather than just upload the complete article into D2L Brightspace, Google docs, faculty webpages, email or elsewhere?
You may be in violation of copyright law or license restrictions if you post content without appropriate authorization or permission.  Permalinks are approved by the database vendors and are guaranteed to be permanent. 
 

How does a permalink will work from off-campus?
When on campus, access is automatic. You are being authenticated even if you don't realize it because the database vendor is able to recognize the IP address.  When off-campus, authentication via a proxy server, allows us to recognize and authenticate SUNY New Paltz users.  In order for a link to an article to work from outside the campus network or off-campus, it must contain the library's proxy before the vendor-supplied URL.  A dialog box will appear that prompts for a student or faculty member to log in with their NPCUID and password.

What does the Library Proxy script look like and where can I find it?
It looks like this https://libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/login?&url=    

It is usually in front of a URL. 

Here's an example:  https://libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=129526802&site=ehost-live

Here's another example:  https://libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/login?url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=100825&xtid=52389
 

Open access databases do not need to use the library proxy. 
 

If you need assistance with creating permanent links, please Ask a Librarian.