Finding and Using Permalinks

What is a Permalink?

A permalink is a web address that will consistently point to a specific information source such as an ebook, an article, a record in the catalog, a video, or a database. 

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

How do I find permalinks?

Most research databases include a permalink in the article record.  The terms used and the location of these links in the record vary from one database to another.  Click on the tabs in the menu on the left (OneSearch, EBSCO, etc) for instructions on locating the permalinks for the library's electronic resources.

Why can't I just copy the URL in my browser's address bar?

Web addresses (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 use a permalink instead of just uploading the article into my eLearning course, etc.?

You may be in violation of copyright law or license restrictions if you post content without appropriate authorization or permission.  Using permalinks is the preferred option.  For more information about copyright law, please see the Copyright and Fair Use Research Guide.  Permalinks are also used to help track statistics.  Usage statistics help the library to purchase the right resources for you. 

How do I know if a permalink will work from off campus?

When on campus, access is transparent -- you are being authenticated even if you don't realize it because we recognize the IP address.  When off campus, authentication via a proxy server allows us to recognize and authenticate Delta College Library users.  In order for the library's electronic resources paid subscriptions (ebooks, journals) to work from outside our campus network or off campus, they must contain the library's proxy in the URL or web address.  This in turn will open a dialog box prompting the user for their Delta username and password.

Emails and Permalinks:

It's essential that you always include the library proxy with a permalink because an email may be shared or read off campus.

What does the Library Proxy look like?

It looks like this - https://ezproxy.delta.edu/login?url=

It is usually in front of a URL. 

Here's an example:  https://ezproxy.delta.edu/login?url=http://oed.com

Here's another example:  https://ezproxy.delta.edu/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/?institutionId=2952

Certain types of databases, such as open access databases, do not need to use the library proxy. 

This guide is based on the Permalink research guide created by Christine Holmes from San Jose State University. https://libguides.sjsu.edu/permalinks. Accessed October 15th, 2020.