Faculty & Staff Library Tools

Database Content Links

In order to access content from within Library databases, links must include the proxy URL, which typically (but not always) comes at the very beginning of the link:

• https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=

Links may include the proxy info within the link structure: 

• https://research-ebsco-com.proxy138.nclive.org/linkprocessor/plink?id=28425480-920f-33fd-bdc0-7581194bb3a0

Purpose of Proxy Linking

Library database costs per year are determined by FTE and other factors. Database license agreements typically require that the databases only be accessed by PCC students, employees, and/or library patrons. 

In order to comply with these requirements, anyone accessing database content, whether on or off campus, will be prompted to login to myPittCC or with a username/password issued by the library to current library account holders. 

You can add links to databases in your Moodle course.

1. From the Online Databases page, right-click the database link.
2. Click Copy link address from the pop-up box.
3. The link provided is a friendly URL that is configured to access the proxy server. There is no need to add the proxy URL to these links.
4. DO NOT copy the URL that appears in the browser address bar once you click the link. It will not be the link that will work from off-campus once you get to that point. 

REMEMBER! Let your students know that a link is a "database" link that will require them to enter their myPittCC username and password if they are not already logged into the campus portal.

You can provide a link to a specific article, video, etc., that resides within a database. In order for students to be able to access these resources from off campus, you must use permalinks that include the Library's proxy URL. If you need help or want a librarian to check your links, please let us know. We will be glad to help you.

What are permalinks?

Permalinks are static or permanent web addresses (URLs) which point to a specific item such as an article or e-book.

Why can't I just copy the link in the address bar?

If you copy an article or database URL directly from the browser's address bar, it will typically no longer work once the browser is closed. Instead, look for a share icon or permalink provided on the page where the item is being displayed.

Example:

Do not copy the address bar URL. Instead, use the link provided once you click the share icon.

How do I find permalinks?

Databases may provide icons or hyperlinks that will take you to a permalink. Look for words or phrases such as bookmarks, document URL, share, etc. We've provided a few examples from some of our more popular databases below. If you can't find a permalink, please ask!

Do permalinks automatically work from off campus?

Sometimes! Many databases already include information in the URL that will prompt users to log in when trying to access database materials from off campus. If that information (called the proxy URL) is not included, you can easily add it. If you're not comfortable with that, we can help!

What is the library's proxy URL? 

https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=

All you have to do is copy the proxy URL and paste it at the beginning of the permalink. There should not be a space between the proxy URL and the permalink. Again, some databases will already include the proxy URL at the beginning of the permalink, but if not, just copy and paste it to the beginning and you should be good to go.

Example of a link that includes the proxy URL at the beginning:

https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=451870&site=ehost-live

Example of a link with the proxy info included later in the link:

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy138.nclive.org/lib/pittcc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1630583

ComicsPlus is a bit different in that you must have a myPittCC email address in order to create an account, and you must create an account before you can access the content.

If you want to assign readings from ComicsPlus, provide students with the link to the database and have students create their own account. If they get a message stating that they must be "inside the Library" in order to create an account, have them email the Library's reference desk at pittref@email.pittcc.edu and we will create an account for them. 

There is no limit on how many people can access a comic at any given time, so this does accommodate for entire classrooms using ComicsPlus to access the same story, issue, etc.

Proxy info is already included in Credo Reference links even though you will not see the proxy prefix in the links. 

How does this work?

With the "aid=" account number link style, the links will redirect unauthenticated users to the preferred remote access method, in this case the proxy.

Example: https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NDU2MDYyNA==?q=Encryption&aid=14630

1. Click the Share icon and choose Copy Link, or click Copy Link in the top-right corner.
2. Use the link as is. Do not add the proxy URL.

1. From the results list, click the title of the book.
2. Click Share Link to Book.
3. A new window will open with the permalink.
4. Permalink provided by database:
   • https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy138.nclive.org/lib/pittcc-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6226958
5. This database creates links that include the proxy info within the link - not at the beginning of the link like others do.
6. You do not need to add the proxy prefix in this case. 

EBSCOhost provides many of our databases such as Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, CINAHL, and more.

1. From the results list, click the title of the article.
2. Click the share icon.
3. Click Create Link.
4. Click Copy to Clipboard.
5. The proxy info is already included in the link.
6. Example: https://research-ebsco-com.proxy138.nclive.org/linkprocessor/plink?id=9e519050-fc28-32c4-94ec-0bbcaee10450

1. Click Share, then choose Embed/Link.
2. If you just want to paste a link into your course so that students are taken to the database to watch the video, copy the Record URL.
3. If you want to embed the video into your course page, copy the Embed Code.
4. The proxy URL is already included at the beginning of the URL.
5. Example: https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=14630&xtid=239836

• With Flipster, all you have to do is navigate to the page in the issue where you want to go when the link is clicked.
• Click Settings to change the view so that either both pages are showing, or just one page. If you only want one page, make sure the page you want seen first is what you are seeing on your screen. Changing the settings will change the link, so get your settings like you want them first.
• Copy the link in the browser's address bar (this is different from most other databases).
• Make sure that you copy the entire link!
• The link in the browser address bar already includes all of the info needed for that link to work.
• The next time you click the link, you will be prompted to log in with myPittCC, but after that you will go directly to the page within that issue that you originally visited when you copied the link.

Moodle LTI Plugin for JoVE

You can import JoVE content directly into your course by using the Moodle plugin. This is an easy way for your students to be able to click and play videos without having to log in again in order to view via the JoVE library database. You will need to have already created a JoVE faculty account in order to embed materials into your course.

1. In your course, click Create Learning Activity.
2. Under Activities, choose Jove (LTI 1.3).
3. Click Select Content. 
4. Read the instructions that appear in the pop-up window. Click to "Continue in a new window."
5. You can choose between Videos, Quiz, or Playlist.
   • NOTE: When selecting from Videos, you will see either a green or grey dot at the end of the title. A green dot indicates that the video is part of PCC's JoVE subscription; a grey dot indicates it is not.
6. Use the search box or click to view items by category. To select a video from the list, click the plus (+) sign.
7. We suggest that you add one video at a time. 
8. Click Submit.
9. Go back to Moodle and you should see the title of the video that you selected.You can change this if you want.
10. You can now apply any settings that you need.
11. Click Save and Display. 
12. Your video should now be embedded.
13. If the window to view the video is not big enough, you can click the expand button to view the video full screen.

Links for Moodle

• Link to the JoVE database: https://libguides.pittcc.edu/jove
• Sign in using your JoVE faculty account.
• To link to an individual film, open the page to the video you wish to share.
• Click the Embed link.
• Scroll past the embed code and click Copy URL.
• Here's an example of what a JoVE video link will look like: 
  • https://app-jove-com.proxy138.nclive.org/embed/player?id=11243&access=0e249071e0&t=1&s=1&fpv=1
• These links include everything needed for the link to work for students. It will prompt them to login to myPittCC when clicked.
• If you have questions about adding JoVE content to your Moodle courses, please contact the Library. 

Services for Instructors

• JoVE offers many services for instructors including curriculum mapping (send them your syllabus and they will map videos to your course sections), test questions, and more.
• To create test questions, you will need to register with JoVE. Go to the page of the video for which you want to create a test, click Create Test, and click Register or Login. There is a screening process for new registrations in order to make sure you are an instructor.

Links for Moodle

• Link to the Kanopy database: https://pittcc.kanopy.com
• Link to an individual film: Find the film in the database, click Share, copy the Share Link. Embed code is also available. 
• If you have questions about adding Kanopy content to your Moodle courses, please contact the Library.

Can't find something?

Some films in Kanopy are only available via special order. We also have access to SWANK Digital Campus and Films on Demand. A librarian can help you figure out if the Library can provide the video you need.

DO NOT use the URL found at the top of the page in the browser address bar.

1. Open the article. Click Get Link.
2. Copy the entire link provided in the pop-up window.
   • https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010324205/OVIC?u=pittcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=26b31490
3. Add our proxy URL to the beginning of the link: https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=
4. Make sure there is no space between the proxy URL and the database link.
5. Copy the text of the entire new link so that when you click to add the hyperlink, you have the entire text of the new URL.
6. The new link should look like . . .
   • https://login.proxy138.nclive.org/login?url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010324205/OVIC?u=pittcc&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=26b31490

ProQuest includes the proxy URL automatically. You do not need to do anything except copy the URL they provide on the article page.

1. Open the article, then look for the Copy URL icon in the top right.
2. The permalink will be automatically copied to your computer's clipboard.

Another way . . .

1. If you want to view the URL before copying it, click All Options.
2. In the pop-up window, the permalink will appear at the very top. 
3. Highlight the link, then copy.

STAT!Ref (TDS Health) includes the proxy URL info within the link.

1. From a content page within STAT!Ref, click the permalink, or static link icon.
2. Copy the link provided in the pop-up box.
3. You do not need to do anything to the link. The proxy info is already included.
4. Example: https://online-statref-com.proxy138.nclive.org/Home/Resolve?id=22996&grpalias=NCCS

Direct Links for Moodle

• You must use the direct link provided by SWANK in order for the films to work from off campus.
• Open the SWANK Digital Campus database and click to open the film you want to assign.
• Click the "Copy Direct Link" button.
• You can then add the URL as a resource in your course. There is no need to add anything to this link for it to work from off campus.

Licensing

• These films can be linked in your online classes or shown in the classroom.
• PCC Library is paying for the licensing for each film through SWANK Digital Library.

Request Programs

Find something?

Let us know what program(s) you are interested in by sending an email to:

• Angela Davis at adavis@email.pittcc.edu
• Leigh Russell at lrussell@email.pittcc.edu