UVic Libraries FAQs

Persistent URLs (also called PURLs, stable URLs, persistent links, or durable links) are internet addresses that remain constant. They are provided by many online databases for consistent access to individual full-text articles when links are needed, e.g., in course management systems such as CourseSpaces or in webpages. Because most of these are paid-for subscription databases with license restriction, and therefore not freely available to the public, proper linking using these persistent URLs is also important for copyright purposes.

Adding the Proxy Prefix - In order for these links to work from off campus locations, the University of Victoria Libraries proxy server address MUST be attached to the beginning of the database-provided persistent URL. Our proxy server address is: http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=

1. Persistent URL method

Many databases vendors (Ebscohost, ProQuest, Gale, JSTOR, Safari) include a stable or persistent url in the record. 
a. Go to the database. (Databases A-Z)

b. Find an item and look for the stable url (eg http://www.jstor.org/stable/1242447). It's often found under 'cite' or 'permanent URL' links.  Do not use the URl in the address bar! 

c. Add the ezproxy prefix if necessary - http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url= (note: Ebscohost and Proquest databases include the ezproxy prefix already)

Example: Article from JSTOR

http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/1242447

Example: ebook from Safari Books Online

http://exproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com/9781593273866

2. DOI Method

Other databases (Web of Science, CSA, Project Muse, BioMedCentral, SpringerLink) include DOI numbers within the record. DOIs are unique numbers assigned to digital objects and will not change over time.  DOIs are usually found in the abstracts or table of contents, at the top or bottom of an article.

a. Go to the database. (Databases A-Z)

b. Find the DOI number within the record: (eg. 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.05.092)

c. Add the DOI prefix to the number http://dx.doi.org/

d. Add the ezproxy prefix http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=

Example : Article from Web of Science

http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2008.05.092

Example: e-book from Springer Link

http://ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-32189-9