Faculty Guide: Canvas Library Resource Integration: Instructions

Find Course Materials

The MSMU Libraries' research collections are developed and maintained to support the curriculum. As you are designing your course, look to see what resources the library currently has to support course readings, recommended texts, and streaming media.

Find eBooks

The MSMU Libraries subscribe to several dedicated eBook collection databases and many other databases which include eBooks as part of their content. If you are not finding what you need, please contact Samantha Silver (ssilver@msmu.edu) and she will license and acquire the desired content.

Find & Use Open Access eBooks

Try an Open Access database to find literature and scholarship that is available to all. Check out our Open Educational Resources guide for more resources and information.

Find Streaming Videos

The MSMU Libraries subscribe to Kanopy, as well as many other databases that include video content. If you are not finding what you need, please contact Samantha Silver (ssilver@msmu.edu) and she will license and acquire the desired content.

The libraries also support course materials through:

• Course Reserves
• Affordable Learning Materials Initiative (ALMI) 

Link to Library Resources in Canvas

Did you know? You can make most of our online library resources available to students through Canvas for easy off-campus access. You simply need to add our library proxy information to create a stable, permanent URL link to the resource. This lets library databases and vendors know that you are affiliated with MSMU and have access to those resources.

The permalink will prompt you to log in through the myMSMU portal first to verify you are an authorized user. 

The library proxy is: https://msmc.idm.oclc.org/login?url= 
Add the proxy prefix to any link to manually create a permanent URL.
Example:
https://msmc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat06372a&AN=MSMU.b2103676&site=eds-live&scope=site
Note: Many of the databases will have already added the proxy for you when you locate the permalink in each record.

Link to a Print Book on Course Reserve

1. Use the Course Reserve Request form to place an item on reserve. If you would like the libraries to purchase a copy to put on reserve you can also use the Suggest a Purchase form and indicate that it should go on course reserves.
2. Once the book has been placed on reserve (if it is a new purchase or your personal copy) you can find it in the MSMU Libraries Catalog and add the permalink to your syllabus. This will make it easier for your students to find!
3. Find the book record in the catalog.
4. Click on the Permanent Link in the bottom right corner.
5. The URL in the search bar above will change to reveal the permalink.
6. Copy and paste that link into your Canvas course.

Copyright Guidelines

When selecting and uploading course materials to Canvas, keep the following copyright and fair use considerations in mind: 

Electronic library resources 

If the article or chapter you wish to upload is content we provide access to at the library, please do not upload a PDF, as doing so likely will be in violation of our licensing agreement with the vendor. Instead, please provide a permanent link to the article in Canvas. 

Print library resources and non-library resources 

When determining whether it is permissible to upload copyrighted content to Canvas (provided you haven't explicitly obtained permission from the copyright holder), it is essential to determine whether your proposed use qualifies as Fair Use. For a full explanation of Fair Use and guidelines for determining the status of the materials you'd like to use, please see the What is Fair Use? Fair Use: 4 Factors section of the MSMU Libraries' How to Navigate Copyright guide.

Copyright Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get help?

In addition to this guide, please contact Amy Sonnichsen, Assistant Director for UX & Digital Initiatives, or library@msmu.edu and we will help you as soon as we can!

How do I know if something is copyrighted?

Copyright protections are given to any original work that is “fixed in any tangible medium of expression at the work’s creation.” Facts, ideas, U.S. government works, and any work published before 1923 are considered public domain.

See: What is Covered?

How do I know whether my use of copyrighted materials is protected under the “Fair Use” clause of the Copyright Act?

Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows the public to make limited uses of copyrighted works without permission. Fair use may not be what you expect. Therefore, do not assume that a nonprofit, educational use or giving credit for the source of the work, or that limiting access to materials to students in the class creates an inherent fair use. Fair use depends on a balancing of four factors, which may be addressed by a variety of means.

See: Fair Use - 4 Factors and Fair Use Analysis Tools

Can I repost items I find on the web without having to worry about copyright? Isn’t all of that stuff in the public domain?

Many people mistakenly assume that everything posted on the Internet is in the public domain. It is vital for you to know that current copyright law gives legal protection to nearly all text, images, audiovisual recordings, and other materials that are posted on the Internet, even if the original works do not include any statement about copyright. Always give attribution.

See: How do I get permission? and Fair Use - 4 Factors and Fair Use Analysis Tools for more Fair Use Myths

Write or Update Your Syllabus

Are you updating your syllabus? Submitting a new or modified course proposal to the University Curriculum Committee?

Be sure to include a Computer & Information Literacy Statement in your syllabus!

We suggest adding a statement that lets students know how they can receive help with research and information literacy skills: 

Information Literacy:
The MSMU Libraries are here to support you with your information literacy skills. Need to do research but don't know where to start? Searching for a book, article, or data to support your argument? Not sure how to cite a source in your bibliography? Ask a librarian! Research help is available is available through email, appointments, and in-person help at the MSMU Libraries' Research Help desks at either campus. For more information and hours please see: https://www.msmu.edu/libraries/help/

Research & Subject Guides

Research guides are designed by librarians as a one-stop-shop for recommended databases and step-by-step directions for conducting research in a specific discipline. 

Find a Subject Guide, or use the Start Your Research guide for the basics, and add the Research Guide URL to your syllabus and Canvas course.

Or contact a librarian if you are interested in creating a Research Guide that is specific to your course!

How To... & FAQs

The MSMU Libraries provide resources and answers for common research questions. We are also continually adding to our FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions.

Consider including links to some of these resources in your syllabus, assignment directions, or Canvas course:

This guide has been adapted for MSMU by Amy Sonnichsen from the Library Resource Integration for Faculty Guide at CSUDH University Library.

The content in this guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.