What is a permalink and why should I use one?
Answer
Permalinks (also called persistent links, permanent links, or stable links) are URLs for e-resources (journal articles, e-books, and streaming videos) that remain constant over time. Use a permalink in your citation or to return to an e-resource at a later date.
When you access e-resources, a temporary session URL is created in the address bar. This URL is only valid for one-time access and will NOT enable you to return to your resource at a later time, so it is important that you don’t copy that URL to access the e-resource later or to use in a citation.
Library Databases
All databases provide a way to generate or copy a permalink. This example shows an EBSCO database, but this functionality also exists in other vendors' databases.
- View the item Details (by clicking on the article title from the search results).
- Click the Share icon.
- Click on Create link: the permalink will appear.
- Click on Copy to clipboard.
Your URL will look similar to this:
https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=1e578e3e-77e9-366a-a550-6c10e994f8b9
Library Catalogue
Find an item in our Library Catalogue, LibrarySearch, then:
1. Click the Share button.
2. Click the copy link button.
Your URL will look similar to this:
https://rdpolytech.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1275367097
