Users can link to items in many of the library's research databases. In order to create these links you need to find item you want, find the stable URL of the item and add the library proxy URL in front of the stable URL.

Proxy URL

The library proxy URL needs to precede any web link created to a library database. If the proxy URL prefix is not used, the link will only work on the campus network. The proxy URL is:

http://libproxy.xu.edu:2048/login?url=

Stable Database URLs

Databases with stable/static/persistent URLs permit you to link directly to the full-text of individual items in that database from course management systems such as Blackboard, MyXU or Electronic Reserves. The links remain active over time. The instructions for doing this varies for each database vendor/producer/distributor. An example of a stable database URL is:

http://search.epnet.com/login.aspx?direct=true&d b=aph&an=15289239

Example of the Proxy URL Plus the Database URL

Click to view.

Using XLinks to Find Stable URLs

Click XLinks in each database description (see example below) for instructions for linking to items in a specific research database from Blackboard, MyXU or Electronic Reserves.

No XLinks in Database Description?

If your database does not have XLinks in its description, this usually means the database has no full-text of its own. However, check the (Electronic Journal Locator & more!) to see if the full-text is available in another database and then follow that database's XLinks instructions.

The absence of XLinks in the database description may also mean the database simply does not provide stable URLs or the library has not yet created XLinks instructions for this database. Contact the reference desk at 513 745-4808 or askus@xavier.edu to clarify these issues and to report any problems you might have with existing XLinks instructions