Connect to Online Resources

Athenizing Links

How Do I Create a Permalink?

Many library databases offer an option to create permalinks. For some databases, you can simply click a permalink button to generate one, allowing you to copy and paste the URL to access later. However, in certain instances, the permalinks generated may lack our OpenAthens prefix, which could lead to blocked access (hitting a paywall) or require additional steps to access the resource. Additionally, some databases do not provide permalink options at all.

For these last two cases, you will want to add the library's OpenAthens proxy prefix to resource links to create your own permalinks. This is a process called Athenizing links. Please note:

• Links from EBSCO, Gale, ProQuest, Kanopy, and O'Reilly resources do not need to be Athenized. These resources are exceptions to Athenized links.
• You also do not need to Athenize sources in open access databases, such as PubMed. 

How Do I Athenize Links?

Use the OpenAthens Link Generator to create Athenized permalinks to library resources:

1. Go to OpenAthens Link Generator.
2. Input a direct, stable publisher or vendor-provided URL for the article, ebook, or video you would like to link to in the box and press ENTER.
3. Click Copy to copy the generated OpenAthens link.
4. Use the copied URL to link to the resource.  

copy link

Be sure to test your links before sharing.

Please note the following:

• Athenized links start with this prefix: 

  https://go.openathens.net/redirector/usfca.edu?url=

• This is not an Athenized link: 

  https://www-chronicle-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/article/the-fafsa-isnt-fixed-for-everyone

  • To convert this to an Athenized link, you will need to edit the link above to a direct publisher link first and then Athenize it: 

    https://www-chronicle-com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/article/the-fafsa-isnt-fixed-for-everyone

  • New, edited link to input into the OpenAthens Link Generator: 

    https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-fafsa-isnt-fixed-for-everyone

  • Athenized link to share:

    https://go.openathens.net/redirector/usfca.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chronicle.com%2Farticle%2Fthe-fafsa-isnt-fixed-for-everyone