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Canvas and Library Integration

How to integrate library resources and services into Canvas using persistent links

What is a Persistent Link?

A persistent link is a URL that allows users to link directly to an online article, document, book, etc. and allows students to access the Montclair State Library's electronic subscriptions. 

Persistent links are also known as durable links, stable links, or permalinks. 

Persistent links can be placed within Canvas, course syllabi, and reading lists. 

Why Should I Use a Persistent Link?

  • Persistent links help databases keep track of how often and how many resources are downloaded. This helps librarians know what is important to you.
  • You can link to a resource and remain copyright compliant. Failure to follow copyright laws can result in fines for the department and university. 

Off Campus Links

EZProxy Prepend for Montclair State University: 

http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=

When you save links in Canvas, they have to be both persistent and proxied in order to take you back to the same place again from on or off campus.

Not all persistent URLs are proxied URLs. Proxying a URL prompts off-campus users for a login.

For example:

Persistent URL from JSTOR
(will only work from on campus):
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3556958

Proxied persistent url from JSTOR
(will work from on or off campus):
http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/3556958

Some databases automatically format persistent urls as proxied, but if not, you can set them up yourself by adding

 http://ezproxy.montclair.edu:2048/login?url=

to the front of the URL, as in the example above. Having done this, the URL should prompt you for your MSU Netid login if you are off campus.

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