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Linking in Canvas

Link to library resources in Canvas using permalinks. Learn how below.

Why Use Permalinks?

We recommend using permalinks because they:

Help you avoid violating copyright, which commonly occurs when instructors upload copyrighted PDFs to Canvas;
Work off-campus;
Don’t break over time.
Link you to more accessible articles.

How to Find Permalinks

Permalink locations vary by database, so we detailed how to find them below.

SuperSearch

Select the title in the search results.
Select 🔗 from the Tools menu.
Select the link.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link.
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

Alexander Street Press

Select a streaming video title.
Select Share.
Select Copy Permalink.
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

EBSCO

Examples
EBSCO databases include Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, CINAHL Plus, MegaFile, Points of View, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PsycTESTS.

Article Permalinks

Select the title in the search results.
Select from the menu.
Select the link.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link.
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

Ebook Permalinks

Select the title of the ebook in your search results to open the EPUB/full text version.
Select the permalink icon.
Select the link.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

Films on Demand

Select a streaming video title.
Select Share.
Select Embed/Link.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

OVID

Open the full text of an article.
Select Email Jumpstart link. A pop-up box will appear with the persistent link, called a Jumpstart URL.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link.
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

ProQuest

Examples
ProQuest databases include US NewsStream newspapers, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, etc.

How to Find Permalinks in ProQuest Databases

Select the title of the resource.
Select All Options. The permalink will appear at the top of the pop-up box.
Select the link.
Select CTRL + C to copy the link
Select CTRL + V to paste the link into Canvas or into your syllabus.

Adding Permalinks to Canvas

Once you’ve found the permalink, you can add it to your Canvas course using the instructions below.

Log into Canvas and open your course from the dashboard.
Open the module, page, announcement, or other section where you’d like to link to the resource.
Select Edit.
Type the text that you would like to link to your resource.
Highlight the text with your mouse.
Select the link icon in the text editing menu.
If prompted with the dropdown, select External Links.
Copy and paste the resource’s permalink into the Link field.
Select Done.

Updating Library Links

With the launch of our new login system, you may need to update library links that you have used in your courses.

Syllabi

If you have links to library resources (articles, streaming videos, books, etc.) in your syllabi that start with http://ezproxy..., you will need to update them by following our instructions below.

Canvas

We already updated all library links that were in Canvas prior to November 14, 2022. If you have added library links to Canvas since then, you can email us your links, and we will update them for you, or you can update them using our instructions below.

How to Update Library Links

Paste (CTRL + p) your old link into the text box below.
Select the submit button.
Select the copy link button.
Paste (CTRL + p) the new link in your browser's address bar to test it.
If you see the
Please contact us know if you encounter any issues.

Questions?

If you have any questions about best practices for linking to online resources, please contact us!