Faculty can use library resources in their classes by linking to eBooks or eJournals through their Canvas site.
Please note that the rush for course reserves occurs at the beginning of each term. The earlier you get your "reserve lists" to the library staff, the sooner your materials will be available. Each item may be placed on reserve for only one term/semester. At the end of each term, instructors should come to the library to collect any personal materials and photocopies that are no longer needed on reserve. If an item is to remain on reserve, you must obtain copyright permission and provide proof to the library staff.
For faculty members to request items use the form below:
For reserve inquiries,
Email: lib-reserve@wpi.edu
Phone number: 508-831-5410
It is your responsibility to understand copyright laws and, if necessary, to secure copyright permissions. Consult the Educational Materials section on the Gordon Library's copyright guide to determine if you can re-use a resource in your own class; on the guide, you can also find how to request permission, if necessary. Contact a librarian if you need help tracking down contact details for publishers.
All photocopies must contain a complete citation and copyright information. Photocopies must be bound, either in a manila folder or a loose-leaf binder. A folder or binder must be provided for each copy of an item to be placed on reserve, but please bring your own because the library doesn't supply them.
Within Canvas, instructors can easily and conveniently provide library resources, such as articles and electronic books, to students.
What are the key benefits of linking to library resources in Canvas?
What can you link to?
Millions of full-text articles, thousands of eBooks, IEEE standards documents, and conference proceedings. Please note that Harvard Business Review expressly forbids linking their materials for required course readings. Please contact a librarian if you have any questions.
How do you post links to library resources within Canvas?
To add links to Canvas, consult the instructions linked below:
How do I add a hyperlink to a Module?
How do I create a hyperlink in the Rich Content Editor?
Note: If you are linking to an ebook, please contact a librarian to confirm that there are no access limitations, such as a limit on the number of users.
Links to e-books and articles
For library-subscribed resources, use this prefix before the URL to ensure students have access to articles or eBooks from off campus: https://ezproxy.wpi.edu/login?url=
Depending on the database, you may not be able to simply copy and paste the search web address into Canvas. Generally, there are three types of links:
Tip: Test your links in a day or two to ensure they still work. Check with a librarian if you're having trouble.
Uploading full text
If you have a reading for which copyright permission is cleared, to upload the full-text PDF or DOC into Canvas, use the File Upload area. NOTE: License restrictions apply for most library databases and eJournal publishers, so linking to the item, instead of uploading a full-text PDF, is often the best approach.
Experiencing problems linking?
Issues with links in Canvas often are caused by the "Add External URL" option in Canvas only allowing 255 characters. Add your URL and article citation information in the area as indicated:
<a href="copy and paste the correct web link to Article here">Article Title</a> Author, journal, date (Gordon Library database link).
Options for making print copies of articles accessible via Canvas
What are your options if you have a print article that you'd like to make available to your students via Canvas? The first step is to check to see if the item is online within a library subscription database that can be linked to. Use the Citation Linker to find an item by ISSN, ISBN, or DOI, or consult the WPI Journals List. You can also use course reserve, which is a system that allows you to place printed course materials on two-hour reserve for your students. More information about course reserve can be found above.
To evaluate whether you could post a scanned copy of the article on Canvas, consult the Educational Materials section on the Gordon Library's copyright guide. The guide also has information on how to request permission, if necessary. Contact a librarian if you need help tracking down contact details for publishers.