Canvas Readings & Resources: Add Items

Options for Adding Items

After you set up the Reading List, you're ready to add items. You can also add collaborators so that others can add to your list.

• If you are adding your own files or references saved in your citation manager to your list, you can add items directly in Canvas.
• Library resources can be added directly in Readings & Resources in Canvas or through Library Search. Use Library Search if you need more searching capability beyond known title lookups. Physical books and media will be placed on course reserve after they have been processed by library staff.
• Use the Cite It! bookmarklet to add items while browsing the web, including web pages, PDFs, and videos.
• If you want to request an item that SMU Libraries does not have, add it to your list in Readings & Resources, either manually or with Cite It! This will start a purchase request, and you can choose what format you prefer depending on availability.
• If you need to add physical items you own personally to course reserves, contact library staff.

Don't Forget to Publish

After you add items to your list, publish it so your class can see it by clicking "My list is ready." Items on course reserve will appear for students once they have been processed by library staff.

Add Items within Readings & Resources

1. Open your Reading List and click on + Add.

2. Choose how you would like to add items:

• Search SMU Libraries searches our collections. From the search results, click the + sign to add to your list. This method is recommended for adding known items. To find new items for your course, we recommend locating library materials through Library Search.
• Add manually allows you to upload files or fill out a form to add items. Use this option to add PDFs and other files, or to request items that you want SMU Libraries to purchase.
• Add from favorites lets you view and add items from SMU Libraries collections that you previously saved there.
• Citation manager allows you to add items you've saved in your Refworks or Zotero account. You must first connect your citation manger by selecting Settings (the cog wheel, top right corner), then Reference managers.
• Add using DOI or ISBN will pre-fill the information about the work, as long as you have the correct DOI/ISBN.

If you added a physical book or media item, you will be prompted to select the location and loan period for course reserve.

Add Items from Library Search

After you have made a list in Readings & Resources in your Canvas course, you will be able to add items directly to that list from Library Search. 

In the item record, select the Course List button. 

Select which Reading List and section to add it to. Once you've added your item(s) here, you should see them in the list in Canvas.

Note: For physical items added this way, library staff will assign the typical location and loan period. Follow up with them if you want to change the location or loan period.

Add Items from the Web

You may want students to read/view websites, PDFs, and videos freely available online. These can be easily added to Readings & Resources with the Cite It! button.

1. Install the button. Open the Settings (cog wheel), then drag and drop the Cite It! button to your browser’s bookmarks bar.
2. While browsing the internet, click Cite It! on your bookmarks bar. Note: If you have not yet opened up your Readings & Resources list during that browsing session, you will prompted to do that first. Then, use the Cite It! button.
3. In the Cite It! popup window, edit the captured information as needed. Information quality may vary. At the bottom, select the list and the section to which the item should be added.
4. If you link to books and media (like a book in Amazon) that SMU Libraries does not own, you will be asked if we should purchase it.