Canvas - UW Libraries Course Reading Lists in Canvas (UW-Madison)

At UW-Madison, the UW Libraries Course Reading Lists tool is integrated with Canvas. This document describes how to add UW Libraries Course Reading Lists content in Canvas and how instructors and students access such content in Canvas.

Library Course Reserves is one of many campus services that can help you connect your students to course materials. Materials found in the library catalog, such as books, textbooks, and e-books, that an instructor has selected for use by students enrolled in a specific course, are placed “on reserve” at the UW-Madison Libraries. These materials are then made available through UW Libraries Course Reading Lists. Learn more about how to place materials on reserve.

Embedding UW Libraries Course Reading Lists in Canvas (Instructors Only)

There are two ways to add UW Libraries Course Reading Lists content to a Canvas course:

1. Instructor adds a librarian to a course, and librarian embeds content
   1. Instructor places a request for books or materials to be placed on reserve
   2. Librarian creates a course reading list
   3. Instructor adds librarian in “Librarian” role to course
   4. Librarian embeds course reading list in course
2. Instructor embeds content
   1. Instructor places a request for books or materials to be placed on reserve
   2. Librarian creates a course reading list
   3. Instructor embeds course reading list in course

See below for details and instructions.

1) Instructor adds a librarian to Canvas course, and librarian embeds content

At UW-Madison, an instructor or owner of a Canvas course site can add a librarian to the course site in the “Librarian” role.

Adding a librarian to the course site in the “Librarian” role in Canvas can help the course instructor and the librarian collaborate more efficiently. In the “Librarian” role, a librarian can

• Access course materials
• Add Course Reading Lists
• Add Research Guides content
• Post to the announcements and discussion areas
• Add to course content

A librarian added to a Canvas course in the “Librarian” role cannot see the list of enrolled students or other protected information such as grades.

If you would like to add a librarian to your course site, contact your subject librarian or use this form to request an embedded librarian.

How to add a librarian to a Canvas course site

An instructor can add a librarian to a course site in the same way that an instructor adds any other individual not on the official roster.

1. On the People page for the site, click +People button.
2. In the Add People text box, enter the librarian’s UW-Madison email address.
3. Select Librarian from the Role menu.
4. Click Next.

2) Instructor embeds content

There are two options for adding UW Libraries Research Guides content to a Canvas course:

1. Add course reading list to course site top-level navigation
2. Add course reading list to a module

For a consistent user experience across courses, the Libraries recommend as a default that the course reading list content be added to the course site top-level navigation. This consistency will help library staff at service desks, the Library Technology Help Desk, and the DoIT Help Desk assist and troubleshoot problems that may arise with course reading lists within Canvas.

A. Add course reading list to top-level course site navigation

The UW Libraries Course Reading Lists are available to all course sites that have placed materials on reserve. The tool is hidden by default. The course instructor or others with set-up privileges on the site can enable the tool.

To enable the tool by adding it to Canvas course navigation bar:

1. Click on Settings, then select the Navigation tab.
2. At the bottom of the page is a list of tools that are not in the navigation bar. Locate UW-Madison Libraries Course Reading Lists and drag and drop it into the list of tools directly above.
3. Click Save to save your changes.

B. Add course reading list to module

The UW Libraries Course Reading Lists tool can be used to embed a course reading list into a Canvas module. The embedded content will appear within the frame of the course site. This approach can improve the effective integration of library materials into the flow of course work.

1. Add a new item to an existing module. Select External Tool from the item type drop-down menu.
2. Locate the UW Libraries Course Reading Lists tool.
3. Scroll down the list of external tools and select UW Libraries Course Reading Lists. Selecting the option will automatically populate the URL field with the tool launch URL. IMPORTANT: Do not change this URL
4. Click Add Item. This should return you to the Modules list, where you will see the new item added.
5. To change the default name of the item, select Edit from the item mini-menu.
6. Do not forget to publish the item to make it visible to students.

Accessing UW Libraries Course Reading Lists (Students)

1. The UW Libraries Course Reading Lists tool will appear in the course site top-level navigation (or in a module where the content is embedded).
2. The course reading list will appear to the right of the navigation bar.