Embedding Library & Open Resources

The library has one image database:

Some databases are multimedia containing not only articles, but books, audio clips, images and other types of content that can be filtered for. One such database is:

1). When searching for images on a library database, search the database directly. Access the library's A-Z Databases list at http://fitchburgstate.libguides.com/az.php and select a database to search. This example looks at the Art Museum Image Gallery database.

2). Type your keywords into the search box. 

3). Click on a title in the results list to access the image's landing page. EBSCOhost calls the permanent link Permalink. It is available from the right-hand tool menu.

4). Click on the permanent link icon on the tool bar (it looks like an infinity symbol and is usually near the bottom of the toolbar).

5). The Permalink box will appear above the article. Copy the Permalink URL. The Permalink includes the Library proxy prefix so it can be accessed by individuals off-campus with their Falcon Key credentials.

1). Go into your Blackboard course, select or create the Content Area where you want to embed the image. Click on the Build Content drop-down then click on Web Link under the Create column. 

2). Add in the required information. Title the image in ihe Name Box and paste in the perma link/stable link from the database into the URL box.

Note: Make sure the URL includes the library's Proxy prefix. Some databases include the Proxy prefix in the link they provide. For other databases, you need to add the Proxy prefix to the front of the URL the database provides.

• The Library's proxy prefiix is https://fitchburgstate.idm.oclc.org/login?url=
• An example of a stable URL for an item in JSTOR is https://www.jstor.org/stable/2929597. Once you add the proxy prefix the stable URL would be https://fitchburgstate.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2929597

3). Scroll down to enter additional optional information, if any, you want to add. Optional fields you can include are:

• Description - add a description of the image or instructions
• Web Link Options - indicate whether you want the link to open in a new window
• Standard Options :
  • Permit Users to View this Context - make sure this says Yes or they won't be able to see the Web Link item.
  • Indicate if you want to track the number of views.
  • Specify date and time restrictions. Use the Display After fields to add a specific start date and time; when that date/time arrives, Blackboard will actively display the item to students to see and access. Use the Display Until to add a specific end date and time; when that date/time arrives, Blackboard will hide the item so students can no longer see or access it. 

4). After adding the required and any optional fields, click the Submit button to save the Web Link.

5). You should now see the image Web Link item displayed. Click on the link to make sure it connects correctly. Tips:

• Check the link from off campus to make sure it connects through the library's proxy server directly to the image. If it doesn't work:
  • check the link you put in the URL field to make sure it has the Proxy prefix.
  • make sure you used the database provided Perma link/stable link.
• Use Blackboard's Student View option to make sure the student sees the item content you want them to see. If you used the Display After date restriction, you will want to remove the restriction so you can see the item displayed and then add the date restriction back on and use the Student View to make sure it currently has the image hidden.

In this example, the student will see the image title. When they click on the item, off campus students will be prompted to login with their Falcon Key then go directly to the image. On campus students will connect directly to the article.