Faculty Webpage: Linking to E-Journal articles

What is a durable link?

• A link that will consistently deliver access to an e-journal or e-book regardless of if the user if on- or off-campus
• A link that connects the user to the copy of an e-journal or e-book provided by Himmelfarb Library

Why should I use durable links instead of PDFs?

• Durable links connect students to required and recommended readings and do not require faculty to obtain copyright permission. 

What does a durable link look like?

• A durable link combines the proxy prefix which hooks the link into Himmelfarb Library: https://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url= with a stable URL for the item (example: http://www.nejm.org).  The two components are combined with no spaces:  https://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=http://www.nejm.org
• Durable links may also be created by using a standard number from the item to create a link: the PMID for PubMed articles, the ISBN for books, and the ISSN for journals.​
  • PubMed article example:

https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/pmid/25766056

• DOI example: 

http://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/doi/10.1001/jama.2020.7709

• E-Book example: 

https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/isbn/9780071843249

• Journal example: 

https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu/issn/00987484 

If an e-book as limited simultaneous users online, can I create a PDF and load it to Blackboard?

• No: creating a PDF and loading it to Blackboard may violate copyright as this could affect the sale of the original work.   Please contact the Himmelfarb Library Reserves Department by email mlbrsv@gwu.edu or telephone at 202-994-2962 so that we can assess options. 

Where can I learn more about copyright and 'fair use' of materials?

• The Fair Use Checklist may be a useful place to start.
• Himmelfarb Library's Copyright Research Guide may also be useful. 
• Blackboard Copyright Chart.

How many users/copies/seats are available for specific books or articles?

• Most electronic resources available via Himmelfarb Library provide 'unlimited users' access, however some resource permit a fixed number of concurrent users.  
• To ensure adequate access for your students, please check with Ian Roberts (imroberts@gwu.edu or 202-994-3685) prior to assigning a reading to fifteen or more students.

In cases where it's not possible link by using a standard identifier (i.e. DOI, PMID, ISSN, or ISBN), you may still compose durable links to connect users directly to content on publisher/provider websites.

A durable link is composed in two steps:

1. Obtain a direct link to the desired article or book.

• This link should be formatted so that it works consistently and is not dependent on a specific computer or browser session.
• Instructions for specific resources, publishers, and platforms are provided in the E-Journal Articles and E-Books and Databases sections of this guide.

2. Append the proxy prefix to the beginning of the direct link; this step provides secure off-campus access to resources.

• The proxy prefix is: https://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=
• The form below will help you append and test the durable, proxied link.

Example: Durable Link via Publisher/Provider​

To create a link to this article: Abate, L., Gomes, A., & Linton, A. (2011). Engaging students in active learning: use of a blog and audience response system. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 30(1), 12-18. doi:10.1080/02763869.2011.540206.

   1. Direct link to article:

• http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02763869.2011.540206

   2. Proxy prefix + direct link:

• https://proxygw.wrlc.org/login?url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02763869.2011.540206

We will create durable links for you!  

Library staff are ready to help!  Send us your syllabus and we will:

• Check for broken links and update links as needed.
• Ensure that links work from on- and off-campus locations.
• Add new links to materials in Himmelfarb Library's collections. 

Please contact: himmelfarb@gwu.edu