Q. How can I get a stable link to a library ebook?

Linking to an e-book can be tricky because, usually, you do not get the right results from opening the book yourself and copying the URL from your browser's address bar. Instead, follow these steps:

1. View the e-book's record in the library catalog.
2. For most titles: Click on the “Online Content” button to open the book.
   1. If the book opens in ProQuest Ebook Central (see screenshow below): Look under the image of the book cover and click “Share Link to Book.” A pop-up window will open. Copy the link provided and paste it wherever desired (Blackboard, syllabus, email, etc.). This link will work both on and off campus.
      
   2. If the book opens in EBSCOhost (see screenshot below): Look in the column to the far right and click “Permalink.” The Permalink will appear near the center of the page, below the search boxes but above the book title. Copy the link provided and paste it wherever desired (Blackboard, syllabus, email, etc.). This link will work both on and off campus.
      
3. For occasional other titles: If an ebook opens in a different platform and you cannot immediately see an option for a permalink, do not rely on copying the address from your browser’s address bar; that address will often not be “stable” (that is, it will no longer work a day or two from now) and/or will often not open off campus. Instead:
   1. View the library catalog page with the book’s details.
   2. Towards the upper right of the page, click “Change Holdings Display.”
      
   3. Change Unformatted Display to “Yes” and click OK.
      
   4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and find the row that begins with the numbers “856” – this will usually be the LAST row of information on the page. Here you should see a web address, starting with “uhttp…” and continuing up to a pipe character, which looks like this:  |  . Highlight the text of the address that appears between the u and the pipe (but not including either). For example:
       

      856: 4 : |3Bibliographic record display|uhttps://ezproxy.shsu.edu/login?url=http://www.netlibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=42325|zAn electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information

      You would copy the section in yellow. Do not copy the vertical bars / pipes themselves (  |  ) or the "u."

   5. Copy that address and paste it wherever desired (Blackboard, syllabus, email, etc.). This link will work both on and off campus.