Using a durable persistent identifier, your digital object always remains available online in the same location.

Using a Persistent Identifier (PID) ensures the continued availability of your digital objects in a consistent online location, a crucial aspect in digital collection management to prevent link rot, which refers to broken hyperlinks. A PID offers a robust solution to this problem. Below we explain how a PID works and how we generate it automatically using PIDs from KLEKSI or from the internationally recognized Handle.net PID system.

What is a Persistent Identifier (PID)?

A Persistent Identifier (PID) is a unique and long-lasting reference to a digital object, ensuring that this object remains accessible regardless of any changes to the URL or location of that object. A PID consists of three parts: a resolver (in this case Handle), a prefix (your organization's ID), and a suffix (the ID of the specific object or description).

How does a PID work?

You need an account for your organization at Handle. Based on the prefix you received from Handle, we generate a sitemap bundle that we link to your account at Handle. Then all existing and future objects, documents or descriptions are automatically assigned a PID from Handle. If you already used Handle, we will take over the data and all objects, documents or descriptions will retain the same PID as before.



This mechanism guarantees that your digital objects remain persistently and reliably accessible, regardless of changes in the URL structure of your website and links in your Linked Open Data. In this way, a PID contributes to maintaining the accessibility and integrity of your digital collections.

In the case of KLEKSI, PIDs are generated and managed using the Handle System, ensuring stability and sustainability in maintaining access to your digital heritage.