In order for a persistent link to work for off-campus users, the link must include the prefix https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?url= or the embedded code string .ezproxy.stthomas.edu/.
In some cases the code string will already be part of the persistent link, but for others you will have to add it. It is up to you to identify whether or not the code string is already there. Note for Factiva: all Factiva “share” links must be run through this Proxy Me widget in order to work.
Example of a persistent link that already includes the code:
https://login.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com
Example of a persistent link that needs to have the Ezproxy code added:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/unistthomas-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1594542
Databases present persistent links to articles under many different labels, so look for any language that indicates permanance. Here are some common labels:
Persistent link/Permanent link/Permalink, e.g. or
Embed link, e.g.
Direct link
Durable link
Copy link, e.g.
Cite, e.g. or
Bookmark/Infomark, e.g. , , or
Once you locate the persistent link you will be able to copy it to paste it into your email, web page, or course site. You may need to alter it slightly, however, to make it accessible for off-campus users. See PROXY ME for instructions on how to do this.
If you cannot locate a persistent link, look for a DOI or a PDF. See more information on these below.
Each database has its own HELP pages. These pages have database-specific instructions for creating PURLs.
Increasingly full-text content providers are adding DOIs, or digital object identifiers, - a unique code applied to a single article. DOIs provide an easiest and surest way of creating durable links.
If a DOI is present,
Copy the DOI, (i.e. 10.1111/j.1467-8527.2008.00416.x)
Add it to the end of the following string:
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/
Now the whole DOI looks like this http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.stthomas.edu/10.1111/j.1467-8527.2008.00416.x.
By adding the http-edu string to the beginning of the DOI, you guarantee off-campus access to the article.
When a database provides a PDF (Portable Document Format) of an article, the PDF URL itself is a persistent link. Once you open the PDF, copy the URL in the browser's address bar and treat it like you would a persistent link. You will have to make sure the code string for off-campus users is embedded in the URL to make it available off-campus. If it's not there, review above for how to add it.
In most cases, you will likely add text & links to or embed library content in the following Canvas content types:
In each of these content types, you will create your content via a rich text editor box (modules also have an External Link content type you might use). In the example below, this time we'll discuss adding an article or ebook link via a rich text box in a Canvas Assignment content type.
Once you have found the durable URL for your article or ebook/chapter in the applicable library database and ensured that it includes the library EZ Proxy coding (as described elsewhere on this page), it's a snap to place it in Canvas.