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Reference Sources - Blackboard

General Information on Blackboard

• PSU Blackboard login page
• Blackboard.com

Linking Axe Resources to Blackboard

Basic Steps for External Links | Adding Online Databases | Adding Full Text Articles | Adding Other Library Resources

With the External Links feature in Blackboard is it possible to add links to the Library's online catalog, to the article databases, and, in most cases, to the online articles found in the databases. By adding links to library resources, students have immediate access to over 10,000 electronic journals, numerous electronic documents and reference sources. In addition, the instructor can create a list of articles for the student to read.

Find out if a journal is available full text online by searching the electronic journals database, Serials Solutions. Tips for searching for journals in the various databases are included on the Serials Solutions page.

After linking to the database where the journal is located, find the article. Follow the directions below to establish a Blackboard link to the article. If you have questions about searching the databases and/or linking articles, please call the Reference Desk at 4894.

The basic steps to create external links

The External Link feature in Blackboard guides you in the steps to add links. The basic steps to create External Links:

1. Log in to Blackboard and click on the course to which you want to add links
2. Click on the "Control Panel"
3. Under "Content Areas" click on "External Links"
4. Click on Add "External Link"
5. Enter a name for the link, e.g. "Ethics Article"
6. In the URL box, enter: http://library.pittstate.edu:2048/login?url= This "proxy" string is necessary for off campus access. It needs to precede every link you want to add.
7. Minimize the Blackboard window (by clicking on the " - " in the upper right hand corner)
8. Open a new browser window and load the Axe Library homepage (http://library.pittstate.edu/)

Adding Online Databases

1. Follow the Databases by Title link on the Library home page. Locate the database you want and hold your cursor over the link. e.g., ABI/INFORM.
2. Copy the link to memory:
   • For PC users:
     IE browsers - Right click on the link, then select "Copy Shortcut"
     Netscape browsers - Right click and select "Copy Link Location"
     
   • For MAC users:
     Hold the mouse button down until a dialog box appears. Select "Copy Link..."
3. Return to the Blackboard Add "External Link" page
4. Use Crtl-V to paste the saved link directly after the "=" in the proxy string
5. Add a description if you wish
6. Skip #2 ; at #3 Options, select the date restrictions you want
7. Click the "Submit" button
8. Click OK, then test the link to make sure it is working. Call ext. 4894 if you have any questions.

Adding Full Text Articles

Linking articles requires a "static" URL for the article. Some suppliers have provided static URLs for their linkable articles and others guide you to a link to locate a static URL.

Adding Other Library resources

The online catalog and full text government documents in the catalog can be added as links. In addition, External Links can be made to library handouts prepared for your class, Research Guides by Subject, or, a general guide finding articles, books, etc. Questions? We can help. Call the Reference Desk at x4894.