Creating Course Links: Persistent URLs (PURLs): About PURLs

PURL stands for Persistent Uniform Resource Locator.  PURLs provide direct links to specific resources -- articles, books, book chapters, etc.  You can create a PURL using a URL or a DOI (Digital Object Identifier).

Using a PURL to link to a library resource helps make sure that the link will work both on and off campus.  When you search a library database, the URL that you see in your browser is temporary and sometimes contains session information that expires over time.  Generally, because the session information has expired, if you copy the URL from your browser and try to go back to it later, you will have a broken link.  If you use a PURL, the link will stay the same over time.

PURLs should be used when adding articles or books to SEAMed.  By adding the ACOM proxy prefix (https://acom.idm.oclc.org/login?url=) in front of the PURL, you will be able to access the resource both on and off campus.

To create a PURL using the URL:

1. Open the e-resource and find the URL (see the Examples tab above)
2. Add the ACOM EZProxy prefix in front of the URL from step 1.

Example:

https://acom.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceToc.aspx?resourceID=40

To create a PURL using the DOI:

1. Open the e-resource and find the DOI (see the Examples tab above).
2. Add the DOI prefix (http://dx.doi.org/) in front of the DOI from step 1.
3. Add the ACOM proxy prefix in front of the DOI prefix from step 2.

Example:

https://acom.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1136/gut.2008.149708

Phone:  (334) 699-2266 ext. 4242

Inside ACOM, just dial 4242.

Text:  (334) 384-0868

Email:  lrc.ask@acom.edu