About Permalinks
What is a permalink and why is one used?
Originally designated for permanent links to blog entries (wikipedia), a permalink can also refer to a web address that will reliably link to a given resource such as a database or a journal article.
Permalinks are known by various names such as stable links, durable links or persistent links. Permalinks are used within web pages and within systems such as Angel or Blackboard to link users directly to a given resource.
Permalinks are convenient way to link to a resource. Permalinks can also be made to CAT items, journal titles, and databases that are available through the Harrell Library or Penn State University Libraries. Examples of how to do this are in the table below.
Why can't I just copy the link from my browser?
URLs that show in the address bar of your browser are not permanent links. Most vendors use dynamically-generated links via scripts that run within a search session, so that the link you see will change each time you run a search.
Why can't I just upload a PDF of the article or book chapter?
You may be in violation of copyright law or the usage license from a supplier if you email or post a PDF or other content directly. (More information can be found on the library's copyright page: http://med.psu.edu/web/library/resources/pathfinders/copyright) Using permalinks also insures that only users that are authorized to view the content will be able to do so, since they will use the library's proxy (see below)
What is the library proxy?
The library uses a proxy server to allow users to access materials off-campus. Each campus-based workstation (or your laptop if it is connected to the campus wireless network) has a network address (IP) that is within a range provided to vendors and suppliers, thus the content website "knows" that a user is at Penn State Hershey and can access content. If you are off-campus, however, your PC's IP address is not recognized. The proxy server "translates" your IP address to one within the Penn State Hershey range, authenticates you as a valid user (with your ePass or PSU AccessID) and thus allows access. When you make permalinks, always use the proxy server information to allow for both on- and off-campus access to a linked resource. Not everything needs to be proxied, however. Open-access databases such as DOAJ (http://www.doaj.org) provide content to anyone, so no authentication is required.
For example, the proxied link to the ebook Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine looks like this: http://medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/login?url=http://www3.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4, where http://medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/login?url= is the "proxy prefix" that must be in front of the URL that is to be proxied. As noted above, however, you can't simply add this to the beginning of a URL that is copied from your browser.
How do I find permalinks to use?
Most databases provide some sort of permalink capability, although it is not always readily apparent how to obtain a permalink. Major vendors are listed in the chart below, along with information on how to obtain and construct a permalink. The most common standard for permalinks is "DOI" (more information on this standard is here: http://www.doi.org/index.html) Even if a vendor does not provide a utility for creating a permalink, if they have a DOI number on a citation, that can be used to create the permalink. An example of this construction and the DOI utility website are in the chart.
I can't figure this out! How can I get help?
There are some tutorials available online - these are somewhat specific to the universities for which they were created, but the process is clearly illustrated:
http://www.lib.montana.edu/tutorials/permalink/permalink.php (Montana State University) http://www.twu.ca/library/Flash_Tutorials/permanent_links_EBSCO_demo_sml/permanent_links_EBSCO_demo_sml.htm (Trinity Western University)
If you still have problems with a particular site or journal (some society journals are problematic), send me an email and I will check that supplier to see if there is a way to construct a permalink. Not all suppliers make this possible, and some even prohibit permalinks to their content. As I find methods of permalinking to problem suppliers, I will post them to this page.
In cases where a permalink is not possible, alternatives include a permalink to a citation reference such as PubMed (see the chart below) or a link to a journal website with the citation given as a reference point to the user. As mentioned above, posting a PDF may be a violation of copyright or licensing agreements.
Permalink Construction Examples
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Database Vendor/Provider (Links to description of how to create permanent links) |
Database Names (Links to database) |
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It is possible to create a direct link to a specific item in the cat by using this prefix: http://cat.libraries.psu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/0/123?searchdata1= After the "=" you can add either the ISBN, ISSN, or "Local system #:" (just the number without the "(OCLC)") There are also other methods of direct linking to CAT records shown here. NetLibrary titles are a special case - e-books are in the CAT, but their links are not proxied. If you want to use a permalink to a NetLibrary title, go to NetLibrary in the University Libraries databases list (there is a link below under Ebsco), locate the title and choose the permalink as with other Ebsco resources. |
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Databases Permalinks to Harrell Library and PSU databases are readily available. These can be copied from the lists on the respective websites and are already proxied. Use the links at the right to access the database lists. |
Harrell Library Databases List |
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http://medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1002/cncr.23653 To construct DOI links, take the proxy prefix: (http://medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/login?url=) AND (http://dx.doi.org/doi:) AND add the DOI number at the end. You can paste the DOI number into the DOI Link Resolver and it will take you to the article; however this is NOT a permalink. |
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Uses internal utility to provide permalinks. In any database provided by EbscoHost, within a citation, choose "permalink" and copy the URL that is shown. NetLibrary titles are a special case - e-books are in the CAT, but their links are not proxied. If you want to use a permalink to a NetLibrary title, go to NetLibrary in the University Libraries databases list (or use the link at the right), locate the title and choose the permalink as with other Ebsco resources. |
Examples: NetLibrary (e-books) Others available using "Choose Databases" within either of those listed above. |
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There are varying methods of linking to Google Books. In each title, there is a Link button that will provide a permalink to a title. Other types of links can be constructed - see the guide linked at the right. |
Google Books linking |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI. |
ScienceDirect |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI. |
Web of Knowledge |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI This also applies to Annals and Archives of Internal Medicine which are JAMA titles. |
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Journals Lists In both the PSU and Harrell journal lists, it is possible to create permanent links to a specific journal title. In the Harrell list, the link appears as follows: http://mk3kg9qj3t.search.serialssolutions.com/?V=1.0&N=100&L=MK3KG9QJ3T&S=I_M&C=1573-2932 Replace "1573-2932" with the ISSN number of the journal title you wish to link to. In the PSU list, the link appears as follows: http://sk8es4mc2l.search.serialssolutions.com/?V=1.0&N=100&L=SK8ES4MC2L&S=I_M&C=1573-2932 The same way, replace the "1573-2932" with your desired ISSN number. The ISSN number appears with the title information on the display in either list. |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI |
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Ovid supplies a DOI, which is proxied, but it is somewhat difficult to locate. In a search result list, choose "Complete Citation" from the box at the right of the citation. Scroll down the display to "Digital Object Identifier". On the link that is given, right-click and choose "Copy Shortcut". You can then paste the link into your document. Note that citations where full-text is supplied by OVID have a .PDF icon under the citation. |
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Project MUSE - start from the library web site and navigate to the article in MUSE - view the article in full-text/HTML (not PDF) - the link in the browser address bar will be the permalink - make sure that the library proxy information is included in the link. Example: |
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Provides a "Document URL" within a citation that is a proxied link. No DOI information. This link is "double proxied" since the Harrell Library cross-licenses this resource with Penn State. Thus, the utility shows a link with both proxy addresses: http://ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/docview/1019838675?accountid=13158 To correct this, remove the Penn State proxy information (ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/login?url=http://) so that the link shows as follows: http://search.proquest.com.medjournal.hmc.psu.edu:2048/docview/1019838675?accountid=13158
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2. A permalink to a PubMed citation may also be used as a path to the full-text using this format: Where "21537570" in the example is replaced with the UID of the citation you are linking to. |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI. |
SAGE Journals |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI. |
SpringerLink Journals |
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Uses DOI; within a citation, copy the DOI information and append to the proxy prefix shown in the chart above under DOI. |
Wiley Online Library |
Your Liaison Librarian |
 David Brennan, MLS Assistant Librarian, Collection Development/Digital Resources Management   Contact Info George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library H127 Phone: 717-531-0003 Ext. 285323 FAX: 717-531-8636 Penn State Profiles Entry Send Email Links: Profile & Guides |
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