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Connect to Online Resources

Learn how to access, use, and link to the library's online resources.

Using Permalinks

What Is a Permalink?

Permalinks are the easiest way to link to library resources in Canvas, course syllabi, reading lists, websites, and email. A permalink (also called a persistent link, permanent link, stable link, static link, or durable link) is a URL or web address that will consistently point to a specific library resource.

Follow our instructions for:

Why Should I Use Permalinks?

  1. Reliability — URLs or links that appear in the address bar of your web browser when you search the library's databases are often temporary and will not link back to the original source when accessed later.
  2. Authentication — Licensing restrictions require the library to ensure that only current USF students, faculty and staff access our subscribed e-resources. To comply with this restriction, the library uses an identity and access management service called OpenAthens to authenticate users. The library's OpenAthens proxy prefix is added to many permalinks. After clicking on a permalink that includes the OpenAthens prefix you will be asked to login using your MyUSF username and password in order to access the resource. 
  3. Copyright — Linking to licensed library resources in Canvas, syllabi, and course reading lists is copyright-compliant. Linking is recommended over posting digital copies of the full text of an article, a book chapter, or an image. 
  4. Usage statistics — Each time a library resource is accessed, a use is counted. The librarians review usage statistics and consider usage when making decisions about maintaining database and ejournal subscriptions.
  5. Accessibility — Databases often offer better resolution, text-to-speech, and easy-to-read fonts. They also usually work better with screen readers than PDF documents.

Linking To Specific Formats

Follow our best practices for using permalinks to link to library databases, books and videos, journals, and articles.

Using Permalinks Provided by Specific Databases

Generate and copy permalinks in EBSCO, Gale, ProQuest, Kanopy, and O'Reilly databases to link directly to their resources. For all other databases, you will need to create permalinks by Athenizing Links.

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