Topic Overview

Why Add Persistent Links?

Students already use Blackboard to access syllabi, assignments, etc. By adding library resources to your Blackboard site, you make it easier for students to also access library databases, journals, articles, and other library resources you expect them to use in their assignments and research. Faculty interested in discussing these options are encouraged to consult with the.

In addition to placing print materials on reserve, instructors can also embed persistent links for many and articles or can link from Blackboard into library or . Adding persistent links helps prevent copyright infringement, promote information literacy, and provide statistics about use of these sources. Doing this helps acquaint students with professional literature in their field sooner. Faculty can avoid copyright compliance worries since use of these sources are covered within the Library's database contracts.

Instructors can add links to common starting points at the SU Libraries website, or to specific databases, individual journal titles, or (in many databases) permalinks to single articles.

Starting Points at the SU Libraries website

To embed links from within the SU Libraries website domain just right click or otherwise copy these URLs into Blackboard:

SU Libraries Homepage –

SUMMON Search Engine -
Primary search engine for collections, both print and online

Databases List -
Some faculty may wish to right click on a specific category if preferring to link to database listings only for one discipline (e.g., all databases in psychology) or databases for a specific content type (e.g., all databases for “news & newspapers” or all “video” databases)

Journals List/Journal Locator -
Index of periodical titles available via SU Libraries – scholarly, news, trade publications, etc.

SU Libraries Subject Guides –
Faculty can link to all of the guides via this page, or just embed a specific guide(s) most pertinent to their discipline or course

Course Reserves Homepage -
Policies and procedures for access to sources on physical course reserve at the Libraries

Special Collections Research Center -
Extensive holdings of original manuscripts, media, and rare books

SU Libraries on Facebook -
Social media hub for news, educational events, and exhibits hosted by the Libraries

Such links are helpful portals and are easily embedded into Blackboard without needing to manually configure proxy prefixed permalinks. The remaining instructions apply to other common forms of linking, including permalinking into individual articles drawn from licensed databases.

Off-Campus Access & the Proxy Server

With most licensed databases and subscription journals, just copying the URL from the address bar will not provide you with a usable, sharable link. In order to create a working link, you need to include the proxy prefix. A well-formed link looks like this:

When you create a link, you need to include the proxy prefix in order to allow off-campus students to authenticate. For off campus users, the prefix prompts this form:

EZ proxy login window

Linking Library Resources in your Blackboard Course

Databases

Find your database. The best place to grab a permalink to your database is via the library's
From the Classic Catalog, enter a title search for the database and then copy the link labeled Electronic Resource: Right click and "Copy Link Location" or "Copy Shortcut".
In your Blackboard course, access a content area and create an Item.
In the Blackboard text editor, type the desired link text into the editor.
Highlight the text and click the Insert/Edit Link button.
A new window will pop up.
Paste the link from the Library site into the Link Path area.
Next to Target, select how you would like the link to open.
When finished, click Insert.

Some databases work better when you open the link a new window.

Journals

Search for the journal you would like to link to.
Locate the correct journal by entering its title into the
Click on the database name associated with the range of publication dates of interest for that particular journal. A new window will open up to the homepage for the journal within the platform you chose – this is where students can browse available issues or search within the publication.
Copy the URL of this page from the address bar.

You will see that the library's proxy address does not appear in the URL – the next step is to include that at the beginning of your link.
In your Blackboard course, access a content area and create an Item.
In the Blackboard text editor, type the desired link text into the editor.
Highlight the text and click the Insert/Edit Link button.
Another window will open up
You need to copy the proxy prefix into the Link Path before the journal link:
http://libezproxy.syr.edu/login?url=
1. Paste your resource link in after the proxy link.
  
  There should be no space between the = and the http:// of the journal link. The full link will look like this:But you probably wont be able to see the end because of the short text box.
Next to Target, select how you would like the link to open.
When finished, click Insert.
You will return to the text editor page with the linked text to the journal.
Click Submit.

Articles

This URL will directly link to an article in a database, bypassing the need to search the database to find it again.

From within a licensed database containing the article, locate the link. Within the item record for an article of interest that contains its bibliographic information, abstract and citation (not from the PDF of the article itself), look for terms like Document URL, Permalink, Copy Link, Persistent URL, Durable URL.etc. Some database vendors get very creative.Use the library’s service if you have trouble locating the link; permalinks are not available for all articles in all databases.
1. Here’s an example from ProQuest Database
  Document URL:
Add proxy prefix (unless database URL for an article shows it already)
1. If the link you just copied does not start with: , then you'll need to add it at the beginning.
Paste the combined link into Blackboard.
1. The full proxied permalink for the article from this ProQuest database example would look like this:

Sources and Relevant Links