Linking to an article in a database

Linking to an article in a database can sometimes be tricky, but is usually possible.

There are two primary methods that can be used. The first method is to use the "permalink" or "permanent link" or "persistent url" that is actually provided by the database through which the article is accessed. Not all of our databases offer these persistent links in their interfaces, and those that do may provide them in different parts of the page and may call them by different names. These instructions will not cover this method, except to let you know that a permanent link may already be given in the database where the article you want to link to is found.

The second method involves making special use of our "Find It" system.

1. First, go to our E-Journal Locator.
2. Click the "Citation Linker" tab above the gray box.
3. Put in the minimal information needed to find the article. This should include the journal name (or, preferably, the ISSN if you have it available), the year, volume and issue number, and starting page. Please do not include the article title or author's name.

4. Click "Search," and window will pop up labeled "Find It" and "Linking Service."
5. If the Find It system successfully finds the article, you can click the link near the bottom of the Linking Service window labeled "Save the link for this citation," and a new window will pop up providing a link that you can use to link to the article. (If the Find It system does not successfully find your article in full text, to provide a link to it you will either have to use a permalink provided by the database platform, or place the item on electronic reserve.)

Note that these links can be used on web pages or within emails, but are too long to put on a printed handout. For that, we advise creating step-by-step instructions instead.

Tip: If the article you want to link to is something that can be found in PubMed, PubMed provides a PMID (PubMed ID) for the article. In the Citation Linker form, that PMID can be used by itself, with no other information, to link to the article.

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