How to Link to Library Sources

Instructions for Common Platforms

EBSCOhost Linking

How to link to Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, and other EBSCOhost databases.

EBSCOhost Linking Instructions

Gale Linking

How to link to Academic OneFile, Business Insights: Global, and other Gale databases.

Gale Linking Instructions

ProQuest Linking

How to link to ProQuest News & Newspapers, Medical Database, and other ProQuest databases.

ProQuest Linking Instructions

Infobase History Linking

How to link to Ancient & Medieval History and other Infobase history databases.

Infobase History Linking Instructions

Off-Campus Link Generator

For links to articles, e-books, and videos from the Library's databases to work off campus, they need to include https://ndcproxy.mnpals.net/login?url= in the link address. Use the link generator below to add this to your library links, so you, your classmates, and your instructor can access your sources from off campus.

To start, paste in a stable link to a source from a library database below. Not sure if the link you are starting with is "stable"? Stable links are also sometimes called Permalinks, Document URLs, Bookmark URLs, or Stable URLs.

Warning: Some URLs must be edited before going through the generator. If the beginning of your URL includes hyphens where periods would normally be, replace the hyphens with periods before using the link generator. For example, change library-artstor-org to library.artstor.org, doi-org to doi.org, and www-oxfordmusiconline-com to www.oxfordmusiconline.com

Remember to test your new link!

(When using your link off campus, you will first be prompted to login with your StarID and password.)

Linking in D2L Brightspace

Below are several copyright-compliant ways to add library-provided content in D2L Brightspace. Uploading content directly into D2L (e.g., copy and paste, PDF files) may be a violation of database license agreements or copyright.

Link Topics in the Content Area

Start with a stable URL to the content suitable for off-campus access.
In the Content area of D2L, click the Upload/Create button and select Create a Link.
(Warning: Do not use the Upload/Create Video or Audio option to link to library resources.)
In the New Link pop-up box, enter the title of the link and the URL. Click Create.

Links in the Links Area of Materials

Start with a stable URL to the content suitable for off-campus access.
In the Materials menu, select Links.
On the Manage Links page, click New Link.
On the New Link page, select a category or create a new category if needed. Enter the title of the link and the URL. Optionally, add a description or note. Click Save.

Links in Pages, Posts and Announcements

Start with a stable URL to the content suitable for off-campus access.
Click the Insert Stuff button in the editing toolbar.
In the Insert Stuff pop-up box, select Insert Link.
Enter the URL and click Next.
Enter your desired link text (optional), and click Insert.

Embedded Videos

We have several streaming video providers that allow embedding videos in D2L pages, posts and announcements. If you choose to embed a video, always include a link to the video below the embed as a backup.

Some videos do not embed as expected. "Embedded" Kanopy videos act as links out to that video's page on Kanopy. Because students must log in to their individual Kanopy accounts before watching, they cannot watch a Kanopy video within D2L. We do not recommend embedding videos from Feature Films for Education in D2L.

Embedding Films on Demand Videos

We recommend you embed Films on Demand videos in D2L. When you embed following these instructions, students can play the video in D2L with no additional sign-in steps.

Click the Insert Stuff button in the editing toolbar.
In the Insert Stuff pop-up box, scroll down and select Films on Demand.
Search for the video you want.
Identify your video in the search results and click the corresponding Embed button. Choose the size video player you want to embed.
Click Insert to embed the video.

Remember to include a link to the video as well. You can add a link using the same process — instead of choosing a video player size in Step 4, choose Record URL. (The process described on our Linking to Sources in Films on Demand page achieves the same result.)