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OCLC Support

Add a URL

Add a record in CONTENTdm (new version) that links to an online resource outside your site, such as an online exhibit, and describe it with metadata

 Roles: Users must have the Administrator, Collection manager, Collection editor, or Collection builder role to add items in CONTENTdm (new version). Users assigned the Collection editor role can only add items to their scoped collections. Users with the Collection builder role can save items as drafts but cannot publish them.  Refer to CONTENTdm (new version) roles.

A URL item is a record that links to a web page or other online resource outside your site, such as an online exhibit or a resource hosted by another organization. Visitors see the item's metadata and a link to the resource. CONTENTdm (new version) does not store a file for a URL item.

If you want to add a record with no file and no link, refer to Add a metadata-only item.

Before you begin, have the complete web address of the resource ready.

To add a URL:

  1. From the Content management > Add items, select which collection to add the item to from the Collection drop-down.
    • The default collection is displayed initially, but the last collection in which items were added will subsequently appear in your session.
  2. Click Add a URL under the Add more details heading.
  3. On the Add a URL screen, enter the URL. If the field is empty or contains only spaces, an error appears (URL is required), and you cannot continue.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Add metadata. Enter the properties for the collection. Required fields are noted with an asterisk (*).
    • Refer to Metadata for more information.
    • The properties you enter come from the collection's metadata template. Title is always required.
    • Only the metadata properties with a value will appear to end-users on the public-facing site.
  6. Click Next to see a Summary of upload. The Summary of upload screen provides the following details:
    • Collection
    • Draft items to be added
    • Thumbnail
    • Permissions
  7. Determine whether to save the item as a draft or publish directly:
    • Select Save as draft to save this item in My drafts for later review and editing. Drafts are specific to the user who created them and are not shared across the site.
    • Select Publish to publish the item to the collection.

The item is in processing and cannot be edited, published, or deleted until processing is complete. To check the status, refer to the Process manager.

 Note: CONTENTdm (new version) does not check that the web address works. If the resource moves, edit the URL item to update the address.