Register for an upcoming OpenAthens Q&A session to learn more about accessing library resources, managing previous library resource links, and integrating OpenAthens with other research tools like RefWorks and EBSCO!
OpenAthens uses a different technology to manage access to resources than proxy-based authentication, which will change the syntax of the links the NU Library uses to access subscribed databases and content.
NOTE: Students, faculty, and staff will need to update any bookmarks, saved links, or reading list links they maintain apart from the Library's web presence.
Library links that include the previous proxy information (proxy1.ncu.edu) will no longer route properly and will need to be updated. The NU Library is working with the Instructional Design team to update course content links in NCUOne.
Furthermore, NU students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to follow these basic steps for updating saved links and bookmarks to the Library's resources:
EZProxy Cleanup Tool
This link generator will clean up and convert many variations of EZproxy links so that they utilize the new OpenAthens proxy prefix. The goal of this tool is to make it as easy as possible to convert links to OpenAthens. Note that some databases do not have the OpenAthens proxy prefix even if they use OpenAthens. Instead, they rely on some kind of identifier in the URL.
For URLs that include the EZproxy string proxy1.ncu.edu
NOTE: Links that contain the previous EZProxy information (proxy1.ncu.edu) cannot be used with this tool. ALL links MUST have the proxy information removed in order to generate an appropriate link that works for OpenAthens.
The OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator allows you to create redirector links that will take NU users to the defined login page to access specific resources in full text. You can use this tool to obtain the specific NU URL for a general resource. Links produced through the redirector will include "openathens" in the URL with a prefix such as this: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=
NOTE: Some exceptions to using this tool include creating links to resources from EBSCO, ProQuest, Ebook Central, O'Reilly and Gale. Additionally, the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator will NOT work with previously proxied NU links that have proxy1.ncu.edu embedded.
You can also use the following Excel sheet to athenize multiple database links by pasting them into the file.
Incorrect: Error displayed in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator when using a previously proxied link such as https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy1.ncu.edu/doi/full/10.1177/0013161X18769048
Correct: Edit the link to remove the proxy information. To generalize this link, remove the proxy1.ncu.edu and replace the hyphens (-) in the link address with periods (.):
Next, run the new generalized link through the OpenAthens Link Generator to obtain the NU specific link in order to access the resource in full text. This link is made up of two parts:
All those %this and %that bits in the target are called percent encoding and are used on characters like / and : when one web page is being passed another web address in the URL. They make sure that the webpage that is reading them doesn't get confused.
The end result is the following link: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fjournals.sagepub.com%2Fdoi%2Ffull%2F10.1177%2F0013161X18769048
Overall, this link allows NU users the ability to access a resource through an authenticated route.
Resources that use the OpenAthens redirector
Most resource URLs will include the OpenAthens redirector information (https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=), which provides NU users the ability to access a resource through an authenticated route. Review information on using the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator tool and obtaining permalinks.
Databases and publishers that use the redirector include the following:
Databases that do NOT use OpenAthens in the URL
While the following databases are accessed through OpenAthens, they use a different linking structure. These URLs do not work with the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator. Please refer to the examples below:
| Platform | Steps | Example URL |
| EBSCOhost & Roadrunner Search | Includes authtype=shib&custid=s1229530 in the URL | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=shib&custid=s1229530&direct=true&db=ehh&jid=1F4R&site=ehost-live |
| Ebook Central | URL should include ncent-ebooks | https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ncent-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1593399 |
| GALE | URL should include pres1571 | https://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=pres1571&v=2.1&it=aboutJournal&id=GALE|4TLF |
| O'Reilly | TBD | TBD |
| ProQuest |
URL should include ?accountid=28180 |
https://search.proquest.com/compscijour?accountid=28180 |
A persistent URL (PURL) is a durable link that connects users directly to an article, eBook, or other item in our Library.
PURLs can be useful when creating syllabi, bibliographies, and other research tools. PURLs also help us remain in compliance with copyright rules when linking to Library resources.
Each Library database has a different process for capturing PURLs. This guide addresses the unique process for each database.
Links are usually persistent but NOT necessarily permanent. PURLs may become obsolete over time, especially as our Library database subscriptions change year to year. Make sure to test links on a routine basis.
Copyright rules are no exception for PURLs. Make sure to cite the source when linking or downloading Library resources.
Not all database vendors offer PURLs. This guide covers all databases which do offer PURLs.
Unfortunately, not every NU Library database supports persistent linking. The following databases currently do not support persistent linking: ETS Test Link, ReferenceUSA, Ulrichsweb, Web of Knowledge, Westlaw Campus Research. Please contact the Instructional Design Librarian Taylor Duncan directly for alternative solutions for course integration.
If a PURL is producing an error or you are unsure how to capture it, please contact the Library at library@ncu.edu or 888-628-1569.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Roadrunner Search and EBSCOhost Databases
ALWAYS LIMIT SEARCHES TO FULL TEXT FOR COMPLETE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCE!
If you see the PDF or HTML file, then you are ready to capture the permalink. Click on the result and select Permalink from the Tools menu on the right-hand side.
If you see Link to Full Text, View Full Text Online, See Full Text From, or anything other than PDF/HTML, you will need to click the resource link to access and capture the permalink from the referenced database. Use the subsequent tabs in this guide for steps on obtaining the permalink from a specific database.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Alexander Street Press
Click Share.
Then click Copy next to the Via embed code option.
Lastly, paste the link into Notepad or a Word document. Copy the hyperlink within the embed code.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in ACM Digital Library
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for ACM Digital Library:
1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.
2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1145%2F3374587.3374635
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Annual Reviews
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Annual Reviews:
1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.annualreviews.org%2Fdoi%2Fabs%2F10.1146%2Fannurev-environ-110615-085634
Accessing a Resource Permalink in BioMed Central
Scroll down to the About this article section and copy the DOI link.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Cochrane Library
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Annual Reviews:
1. Right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.
2. Enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1002%2F14651858.CD010070.pub3
Accessing a Resource Permalink in CREDO Reference
Click on Page Link at the top of the resource page. Then, copy the link displayed.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
Copy the DOI link found on the page. Double-check the link to ensure it connects you to the full-text article.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
Copy the link in the URL field found on the resource's page.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Ebook Central
Click Share Link to Book and copy the link that appears in the pop-up window.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in ERIC
Right-click and copy the Download full text link.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Films on Demand
Click the Share link directly below the video player. Then, select Embed/Link and copy the Record URL.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Gale
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Gale:
1. First, click the Get Link option in the right-hand corner of the page and copy the link.
2. Next, you MUST edit the link provided by removing the &xid=***** value from the link prior to posting. Posting an incorrectly formatted link can be in violation of our licensing agreement.
INCORRECT: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A418467179/AONE?u=pres1571&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=43fe14fd
CORRECT WITHOUT THE &xid=***** value: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A418467179/AONE?u=pres1571&sid=bookmark-AONE 
Accessing a Resource Permalink in HeinOnline
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for HeinOnline:
1. Click on the chain-link icon near the top of the page. 
2. Next, copy the HeinOnline link provided and enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fheinonline.org%2FHOL%2FP%3Fh%3Dhein.journals%2Fukalr12%26i%3D521
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Homeland Security Digital Security
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Homeland Security Digital Library:
1. First, click the Open Full Abstract link found below the resource title and copy the link in the URL field on the next page.
2. Next, enter the URL in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hsdl.org%2F%3Fview%26did%3D808154
Accessing a Resource Permalink in IEEE Xplore Digital Library
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for IEEE Xplore Digital Library:
1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fdocument%2F9156050
Accessing a Resource Permalink in IGI Global InfoSci
To link to an entire book or entire video, copy the link in the URL address bar. To link to a specific book chapter or video segment, right-click the title and copy the link for the specific section.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in JSTOR Open Access
Copy the link in the Stable URL field.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in LearnTechLib
Copy the link found in the URL address bar.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in MergentOnline
Copy the link found in the URL address bar.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in National Academies Press Free eBooks
Scroll down to the Publication Info found towards the bottom of the resource page. Copy the DOI link found there.
NOTE: Users can freely read National Academies Press eBooks online. However, you must create a free account if you want to download the eBook in PDF format.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Nexis Uni
Click the Actions hyperlink found to the right of the resource title and click Link to this page from the drop-down that appears. Copy the resource permalink.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in O'Reilly for Higher Education
You can create a permalink to an O'Reilly title by adding our main login URL as a prefix https://go.oreilly.com/northcentral-university/ followed by the URL to the resource title.
For example, if the title URL for Hands-On Machine Learning is https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/hands-on-machine-learning/9781492032632/?ar
Then, the permalink for the title is the main URL followed by the title URL:
https://go.oreilly.com/northcentral-university/https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/hands-on-machine-learning/9781492032632/?ar
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Ovid
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Ovid:
1. First, click the Email Jumpstart link near the top of the page and copy the link that appears in the dropdown.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fovidsp.ovid.com%2Fovidweb.cgi%3FT%3DJS%26CSC%3DY%26NEWS%3DN%26PAGE%3Dfulltext% 26D%3Dovft%26AN%3D00004650-900000000-99942%26PDF%3Dy
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg eBooks are in the public domain and may be freely read online or downloaded in a variety of formats. To link to all of the available download and format options, simply grab the URL in the address bar.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in ProQuest
From the resource page, navigate over to the Abstract/Details tab. Scroll down on the page and copy the link found in the Document URL field.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Psychiatry Online
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Psychiatry Online:
1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.
2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1176%2Fappi.books.9780890425596
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Psychotherapy.net
Copy the link in the URL address bar.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in SAGE Journals, SAGE Knowledge, and SAGE Research Methods
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for SAGE Journals, SAGE Knowledge, and SAGE Research Methods:
1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Freference%2Fthe-sage-encyclopedia-of-educational-research-measurement-and-evaluation%2Fi15659.xml
Accessing a Resource Permalink in SAGE Video
Click the Get Link icon found directly below the transcript.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in ScienceDirect
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for ScienceDirect:
1. First, copy the URL found in the URL address bar.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0039606018302186
NOTE: When obtaining resources from this database, first-time users may be required to click Access through Your Institution where they must search for Northcentral University. 
Accessing a Resource Permalink in SpringerLink
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for SpringerLink:
1. First, copy the link found in the URL address bar.
2. Next, enter the link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.springer.com%2Farticle%2F10.1007%2Fs10880-015-9441-8
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Statista
Copy the link in the URL address bar.
NOTE: When obtaining links from this database, users may be routed to the OpenAthens administration page where they must search Northcentral University under Find Your Institution.
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Taylor & Francis
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Taylor & Francis:
1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.
2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1080%2F02607476.2020.1829965
Accessing a Resource Permalink in Wiley Online Library
Use the following steps to access and create a resource permalink for Wiley Online Library:
1. First, right-click and copy the DOI link found near the top of the resource page.
2. Next, enter the DOI link in the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an encoded access URL and permalink for NU users. Then, click Copy for the new resource permalink. Your link should look similar to this example:
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/ncu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1111%2Fpolp.12411
Bad Request Error when Accessing a Library Resource
A Bad Request error can be attributed to an improperly formatted link to a resource. The NU Library can assist with locating the resource and providing a properly formatted link to access it. If you have received this message in error, please contact the NU Library directly by calling 888-628-1569, by texting 928-550-6552, by emailing library@ncu.edu, or by chatting with us during live help hours.
