Deeplinking: linking to full text database articles

I just finished a guide to linking in to full text articles within our subscribed databases: http://www.library.southernct.edu/deeplinking.html. The practice is generally called deeplinking (linking deep into the database, instead of to the entry page.) Unfortunately, each database vendor uses a different scheme for linking (and a few don't link at all), so the guide is long and complex. I included screenshots for many of the databases, and examples (on a separate page) for each one. All of these links include the proxy server information, so off campus users will be able to log in to access the articles.

Why would you want this? Faculty can create online reading lists with links that go directly to the article. Students can put proper links in their reference lists (i.e. Retrieved from...) Anyone can send links by email, without worrying if an off campus user will be able to get to the article. (Just be careful of sending links to non-CSU users!)

To test your links, copy them into a different browser (i.e. from Firefox to Internet Explorer) or save them and test them the next day. Most "problem" links come from time- or session-dependent URL's created by the database company on the fly to track usage. Switching to a different browser usually creates a new session, and waiting long enough for the session to expire definitely works. If you have questions or problems, let me know. (And if something doesn't work, please let me know right away--database companies change interfaces regularly.)