A persistent URL (PURL), also known as a stable URL or permalink is direct link back to online articles (or searches) once you have left a database.
In many databases, the web addresses (URL) in your browser's address bar are dynamically generated in the case of articles in databases, and will only work for your current login session. This means that once you leave the database, that URL will not take you back to the article in question, nor will it take your instructor, classmates, or anyone else to that article.
So, in addition to the web address in your browser's address bar, the database also gives you a permalink, which will take you directly to the article.
In the Library Search, you can also save a specific search using the "Save Query" link located just above the first result on the results page.
On an item's record page, there is a permalink icon underneath the citation. Clicking this button, will display a permanent URL that you can copy-paste into a word document, email ,or elsewhere for later use.
To save an item to your favorites list, click on the pushpin icon to the far right of the title.
Your selected items can be accessed through your library account.
To save your searches, select "Save query" under the search box. This will save your search terms.
To access the saved query, click on "My Favorites" through your library account.
Then select "Saved Searches" to retrieve your search terms and scope. Performing this search at a later date retrieves recently published materials.
FYI: Search History is only valid for the current search session. You cannot see the history from previous search sessions unless you save your searches.
A reference management tool (or citation manager) is a piece of software that:
You can usually log in from any computer with an internet connection to access all of these resources.
Reference management tools can format your citations for you, but they are only as good as the information that you enter. Double check your manual entries as well as items imported from databases for spelling, capitalization, punctuation and accuracy.
