To work from off campus, most links to articles, e-books, and videos from the Library's databases should begin with https://ndcproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=. The link generator adds this to your library links.

Warning: Linking procedures vary! Check out our linking instructions by database first.

Remember to test your new link in a different browser or a new private/incognito window!

Need linking help? Ask a librarian.

Linking in D2L Brightspace

Last Updated: August 2026

Below are several copyright-compliant ways to add library-provided content in D2L Brightspace. Uploading content directly into D2L (e.g., copy and paste, PDF files) may be a violation of database license agreements or copyright.

Link Topics in the Content Area

Start with a stable URL to the content suitable for off-campus access.
In the Content area of D2L, click the Add button and select Create New.
Choose WebLink.
In the New Web Link screen, enter the link title and the URL. Click the Save and Close button.

Links in Pages, Posts and Announcements

All links must be set to open in a new window (outside of D2L).

Start with a stable URL to the content suitable for off-campus access.
Click the Insert Stuff button (multimedia icon) in the editing toolbar.
In the Insert Stuff pop-up box, select Insert Link.
Enter the URL and link text. Verify that the link is set to open in a new window.
Click Insert.

Alternate method: Click the QuickLinks button (link icon) in the editing toolbar, select Link, enter the URL and link text, verify that the link is set to open in a new window, click Insert.

Warning: Library links set to open in the same window as D2L may malfunction due to security issues. URLs pasted directly into pages, posts, and announcements are set to open inside D2L by default. Delete and re-add these links using the Insert Stuff or QuickLinks methods.

Embedded Videos

We have several streaming video providers that allow embedding videos in D2L pages, posts and announcements. If you choose to embed a video, always include a link to the video below the embed as a backup.

Some videos do not embed as expected. "Embedded" Kanopy videos act as links out to that video's page on Kanopy. Because students must log in to their individual Kanopy accounts before watching, they cannot watch a Kanopy video within D2L. We do not recommend embedding videos from Feature Films for Education in D2L.

Embedding Films on Demand Videos

We recommend you embed Films on Demand videos in D2L. When you embed following these instructions, students can play the video in D2L with no additional sign-in steps.

Click the Insert Stuff button (multimedia icon) in the editing toolbar.
In the Insert Stuff pop-up box, select Films on Demand.
Search for the title of the film or clip you want.
Identify your video in the search results and click the corresponding Embed button. Choose the size video player you want to embed.
Click Insert to embed the video.

Remember to include a link to the video as well. You can add a link using the process described on our Linking to Sources in Films on Demand page.