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Integrating Library Resources into Canvas

This guide is a step-by-step how-to on embedding TCC Library resources into Canvas courses.

Persistent Linking to eBooks

While directly embedding eBooks into Canvas is not possible, all Library resources have permalinks (short for permanent links) that will perpetually link to direct access to eBooks. It's important to always use permalinks when directing students to specific Library resources as these links are configured to prompt students to log in with their TCC credentials. This is a necessary step in accessing TCC Library resources because while Library resources are free for TCC affiliates to access, the Library does pay for this content, which can only be accessed by TCC students, faculty, and staff.

While these instructions use an example of an eBook Central title, the instructions are the same for linking to any eBook database!

  • On your Canvas page, open the text editor, and type in any necessary information to inform students about their need to access the specific Library eBook you are using. In the example below, I've asked students to please read Chapter 1 from a book in ProQuest eBook Central.

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Screenshot of a Canvas page in edit mode. The text in the textbox reads "Before Monday's class, please read Chapter 1 in 'A Trauma-Informed Approach to Library Services' [links to ProQuest eBook Central Database] by Rebecca Trolley."

  • Next, select the text you would like to have hyperlink to the eBook's permalink

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Screenshot of the same Canvas text box with the title of the book highlighted.

  • Once you've selected the desired text, hover over the chained link icon in the row above the text box and select "External Link"

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Screenshot of Canvas page text box with the "External Link" button highlighted.

  • Next, an "Insert Link" popup will open. Paste the permalink you copied from the database into the "Link" box and hit done.

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Screenshot of the "Insert Link" popup on a Canvas page.

  • Once you are done with these steps, hit "Save" as you normally would when done editing a Canvas page!

eBook Collection (EBSCO)

Once you have found the book you would like to use in your course, click the title to open the book's landing page (this may also be called the Detailed Record). 

  • On this page, look to the right side of the screen to locate the "Tools" column. At the very bottom of the "Tools" column, you will find a button labeled "Permalink" with a linked chain icon.

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Screenshot of the Detailed Record for an EBSCO eBook. The "Permalink" button is enclosed with a green box to draw attention to it.

  • Once you click the "Permalink" button, a new row will appear above the title of the book. It will be labeled "Permalink" and the appropriate link will be to the right.

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Screenshot of the Detailed Record of an EBSCO eBook with the permalink above the title of the book. The permalink is enclosed with a green box to draw attention to it.

  • Highlight the entire link in that box and click Ctrl + C or right click and hit "copy" to copy the permalink. 
  • Now that you've successfully copied the book's permalink, go to the bottom box on this page to see how to link to books in Canvas pages.

Gale eBooks

Once you have found the book you would like to use in your course, click the title to open the book's landing page (this may also be called the Detailed Record). On this page, look to the upper right corner of the top bar (the same area where the search bar is, just to the right). There, you will see a button that says "Get Link" with a linked chain icon. 

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Screenshot of the Table of Contents page for "The SAGE Encyclopedia of Trans Studies." A green arrow points to the upper right corner of the page where the "Get Link" button is.

 

  • Once you click "Get Link" a popup window will appear with the book's link. Click the "Copy" button to copy the link.

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Screenshot of the Gale eBook's popup window that opens when "Get Link" is clicked from the Table of Contents Page. A green arrow points to the "Copy" button.

  • Now that you've successfully copied the book's permalink, go to the bottom box on this page to see how to link to books in Canvas pages.

eBook Central (ProQuest)

Once you have found the book you would like to use in your course, click the title to open the book's landing page (this may also be called the Detailed Record). 

On this page, look below the small image of the book cover to locate the button that says "Share Link to Book"

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Screenshot of the landing page of a book in the ProQuest eBook Central Database. The button "Get Link to this Book" is enclosed in a green box to draw attention to it.
 

  • Once you click "Share Link to Book," a popup window will appear with the book's link. Type Ctrl + C to copy the full link.

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Screenshot of the popup window with the permalink to the book.

  • Now that you've successfully copied the book's permalink, go to the bottom box on this page to see how to link to books in Canvas pages.

CC BY SA license

Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.

Tacoma Community College Library - Building 7, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466 - P. 253.566.5087

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