Writing & Citing

PURLs

Creating Persistent Links in TWUniversal

STEP 1:  Search TWUniversal.

STEP 2:  Click the Details link

STEP 3:  Click E-mail and send article information to yourself

STEP 4:  Open your email account.  

Right click on the bolded title to Copy Hyperlink or Copy Shortcut

     or   

STEP 5:  Paste link into Blackboard or Canvas.

What is a PURL?

PURL is an acronym for Persistent Uniform Resource Locator and is an internet address (URL) that stays the same over time and is more reliable than regular internet addresses found in browser address boxes.

 A PURL:

• Must be configured or created.
• Can be created for:
  • Research articles found in a library database.
  • Ebooks
  • Webpages
  • Videos
  • And more!
• Can be copy-and-pasted anywhere, including email messages, Word documents, and online courses.

Follow the directions provided to create your own PURLs and provide your students with links straight to specific articles in TWU databases. Users who click on your PURL link will be prompted to provide their TWU login and password for user authentication and copyright compliance.

Confused?

Some databases do not offer ready-made PURL features. In those cases, custom-made PURLs must be configured. Designated library staff can help you with those. 

In addition, database technology evolves constantly, so PURL instructions may change over time.

If you need assistance creating PURLs, please contact the following library staff:

       Stephany Compton
       940.898.3797
       SCompton@twu.edu