How to link to material with online access

Here are some examples of how you can link to material with online access that you can save or share with others.

How to link to material with online access

Here are some examples of how you can link to material with online access that you can save or share with others.

A permanent link (permalink) is the safest way to create a link that you can save or share with others. When you link to online books or articles it is important to consider if it is part of the library's subscriptions.

It may seem a bit complicated, but these are examples that cover most cases.

If you teach and work on compiling reading lists/course literature, we recommend that you check out the page about links to reading lists.

Create links via Primo

You can hardly go wrong if you use Primo to create permalinks.

Search for the material in Primo
Click on the small 🔗 link icon for show the material's PERMALINK
Copy and use the link

This feature is also available if you open the full record and view the PERMALINK under the heading "Send To".

Primo has a built-in functionality for permalinks that you can save and share with others. As the link refers to Primo you can see requirements for online access. Print editions will also be visible.

Create a link from a DOI or PMID

If you have a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or PMID (PubMed Identifier), you have the following options:

Search with DOI or PMID in Primo and locate the material
Create a PERMALINK as explained in Create links via Primo

You can use our Citation Linker to create a permalink. This method works particularly well with PMID, which can be a bit difficult to search in Primo.

Open Citation Linker
Type DOI or PMID (or other information) in the form and click SEND
Create a PERMALINK as explained in Create links via Primo

NOTICE! When you search using a DOI, remember to remove part of the URL. A DOI begins with 10. and a following string. If your DOI begins with e.g. https://dx.doi.org/ this is the part to remove.

Link to a database record

Linking database records can be tricky, because methods may vary from one database to another.

Here are examples of what to try first.

Use a library link

Several of our databases offer library links that help you locate the material in Primod. AUB Link is one term for it. Follow the link to Primo and create a permalink as explained in Links to material in Primo.

Several databases offer library links that link the database to the library's search engine Primo

Use DOI or PMID

Most material has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) that you can copy and use as explained in o Lav et link ud fra en DOI eller PMID.

Use database share-function

As a last resort, you can try to use a link from the share-function in the database. However, with this option you and others will most likely run into a paywall when using the link at a later stage.

Luckily, you can convert the link using our link converter - Convert Link to Online Access - where you connect it to AAU-username login.

Most databases offer some sort of link sharing. However, theses solutions do not take into account that access requires login with AAU-username.

Create a link from a direct link

If you have a link to a document in your browser, you can use our link converter to check if the library has a subscription. When you convert the link, you connect it to your AAU username login.

If the converter shows that the library does not provide online access, you can try using the link as it is. If you get access to the document, it is probably because it is freely available or Open Access.

If the converter shows that the library provides access, you should go ahead and use the converted link.

Keep in mind that ...

In general, you should keep in mind that although we support online access with a link or a page (supplier platform), it does not necessarily mean that the library provides access to the material. We only do so provided that we have a subscription.

There are several platforms from which you can access single book or journal titles, but not all the content on the platform. This is important to check, if you are using a direct link.

A direct link does not take into account that material can shift from one supplier to another - i.e. move to another platform. With this in mind, you might prefer some of the other methods.

If possible, create a direct link to the material's landing page and avoid direct links to PDF files etc.

The link is way too long

If you think that you link is way too long, you can use a service such as e.g. Bitly to shorten it. Be aware, however, that you and those with whom you share the link will be unable to see which page the link refers to. As such it might be mistaken for phishing.

Sharing links

All links based on the examples on this page can and may be shared with others. This is due to the fact that you are sharing a link, not the actual content. As such, your links comply with the university's access control.

How to link to material with online access

How to link to material with online access

Create links via Primo

Create a link from a DOI or PMID

Link to a database record

Use a library link

Use DOI or PMID

Use database share-function

Create a link from a direct link

Keep in mind that ...

The link is way too long

Sharing links

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