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How to Create Stable URLs

Most links copied from databases won’t work off campus. To make a link stable and usable from anywhere, do 2 things: Use the “stable link” or “permalink” from the article page. Add this to the beginning of the link: https://ezp.slu.edu/login?url=

How to Create Stable URLs

Most links from databases won’t work off campus unless you add the SLU proxy prefix. Here’s how to make a stable link that works anywhere:

Step 1: Find the article’s stable link

Look on the article page for “Permalink,” “Document URL,” or “Stable URL.”

Step 2: Add the SLU proxy

Add this in front of the link: https://ezp.slu.edu/login?url=

Example:
JSTOR link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25046036
Final link: https://ezp.slu.edu/login?url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25046036

SLU Library EZproxy URL

For Faculty and Librarians:

The EZproxy prefix is required to access subscribed resources from off campus. Add this proxy prefix to the beginning of article links, eBook links, database links, and eJournal links.

Right click on the link and copy it. Then paste it in front of the "http://... for the article.

Linking to SLU Libraries' Subscribed Resources

📘 Why Link Instead of Upload?

Linking to Saint Louis University Libraries’ subscribed articles, journals, and eBooks is the best way to share resources in Canvassyllabi, and eReserves:

  • ✅ Linking is legal for most content but uploading a PDF may not be allowed under license agreements.

  • ❗ One exception: Harvard Business Review requires a copyright fee to link directly to its articles.

  • ✅ Linking ensures accurate usage statistics for SLU subscriptions.

  • 📊 Example: 1 uploaded PDF = 1 use, but 1 link clicked by 30 students = 30 counted uses.

Where to Find Stable Links (Permalinks)

Use the permalink, document URL, or DOI from the article page 

Database    Where to Find the Link    Homepage
EBSCOhost    Click “Permalink” in Tools    https://www.ebsco.com
ProQuest    Use “Document URL” from the article record    https://www.proquest.com
JSTOR    Copy “Stable URL” below article title    https://www.jstor.org
ScienceDirect    Use the article’s DOI    https://www.sciencedirect.com
SpringerLink    Click “About this article” → Copy DOI    https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library    Use DOI or citation link    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Project Muse    Use the stable link provided    https://muse.jhu.edu
Ovid / LWW    Use DOI or article-level link    https://ovidsp.ovid.com
Taylor & Francis    Use article’s citation URL    https://www.tandfonline.com
PubMed Central (PMC)    Use direct link - no proxy needed    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc

 

Credits

How to Create Stable URLs guide originally created by Georgia Baugh, Electronic Resources Research Librarian, 2012.