Linking to Library Content

General Format of Persistent Links

To create persistent links to database content (articles, videos, playlists, etc.) that can be used off campus or within syllabi or D2L Brightspace, you must include two components:

1. The item’s “stable link” (also known as permanent link, PermaLink, document URL, DOI, or document link), found within the database.

2. St. Cloud State University’s “proxy base" that prompts a login to the licensed content:

   https://scsuproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=

Finding or Creating Persistent Links within Databases

1. Most databases, including Films on Demand, Project Muse, JSTOR, and our EBSCO databases provide links in the web browser address bar that you can copy and paste. Be sure you see the scsuproxy.mnpals.net string within the URL.

2. If you don't see scsuproxy.mnpals.net in the browser address bar, look for the item’s "stable link" or "Permalink" and copy and paste it as needed. Again, be sure you see the scsuproxy.mnpals.net string within the URL.

3. Still other databases, require you to construct a new URL by adding the proxy base to the beginning of an item’s stable link. The stable link (called Stable URL, Document URL, or DOI) is found within the item record.

Example of a constructed link

• Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1495340
  +
• Proxy base: https://scsuproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=
  =
• Constructed link (add proxy base to beginning of stable/permanent URL):
  https://scsuproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/1495340

The ways in which database vendors apply stable links is continuously changing. For specific questions or troubleshooting, Ask a Librarian.