Integrating Library Content in Blackboard

When you view an article in a library database, the URL for that webpage is either dynamic or persistent.

Dynamic links = the URL was created at the time you did the search in the database. A dynamic link is temporary and usually will not work when copied and tried again. If you provide a dynamic URL to others as a link in Blackboard, they will not be able to access the information.

Persistent links will get you to the same article every time. Many vendors do a good job of providing persistent links, but not all.

A persistent link may also be called:

• Permalink
• Document URL
• Stable URL
• Bookmark URL

When saving or bookmarking articles or other online library resources, make sure you are saving a persistent link to avoid frustration later.

• URLs or links that appear in the address bar of your web browser when you search the library's databases may be session-based or search-based and will not work when copied and used at a later time.
• Linking to licensed library resources in Blackboard, on syllabi, and in course reading lists is copyright compliant. Linking is recommended over posting digital copies--such as PDFs--of an article, a book chapter, or other online library resource.
• Every time a permalink is used to access Library content, that usage is counted as a statistic. Usage statistics are used for making budgetary decisions about the Library's online resources.

A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is "a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object, such as an electronic journal, article, report, or thesis.  Each DOI is unique and serves as a stable, persistent link to the full-text of an electronic item on the Internet. Unlike a URL, a DOI doesn't change over time; even if the item moves to a new location, the DOI stays the same." (CrossRef)

You can look up an item by typing or pasting a DOI into a resolver which will find the webpage associated with the DOI number. For example, try: http://dx.doi.org/

Why Do You Want to Know This?

Some database vendors use DOIs instead of persistant URLs.

Not every online journal article will have a DOI. But, here are some places to look for it:

• First page of the journal article PDF
• Near the article copyright notice
• Database citation page for the article
• In the citation information generated by the database