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Library Services in Canvas

Canvas is the single, centrally supported learning management system on campus.  UW-Madison Libraries have integrated many of their services into the Canvas learning management system. The resources on this page describe the course support and instructional services provided by the Libraries into Canvas.

Library Dashboard

The Library Dashboard is a tool that connects students and staff to library resources and services in their Canvas course. It includes direct links to research help, Library search, Ask A Librarian, and course resources. The Library Dashboard is automatically added to all course navigation menus, but will only include course resources if requested. Course resources include:

  • Course Reading List: UW-Madison Library materials such as books, textbooks, articles, videos, solution sets, and exams that an instructor has selected for use by students enrolled in a specific course are placed “on reserve” at the UW-Madison Libraries.
  • Course Guide: Guides created for a specific course and customized for the course topic and assignments. Course guides are created upon request and can be used as supplementary material to a library instruction session or as a standalone resource.
  • Instruction Librarian Information: Contact information for the librarian(s) teaching a library session for your course. To request a library instruction fill out the instruction request form.

For more information, visit the Library Dashboard KB. For assistance, contact alex.stark@wisc.edu

Embedded Librarian

At UW-Madison, an owner or instructor of a course site can add a librarian within the Canvas learning management system.

Adding a librarian 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 research guides content
  • Post to the announcements and discussion areas
  • Add to course content

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

An instructor can add a librarian to a course site the same way that they would add another individual not on the official roster. 

For more details and instructions view the Librarian Role KB.

Library Modules in Canvas Commons

Quickly and easily import tutorials, videos, and interactive activities made by UW-Madison Libraries from Canvas Commons into your course. Modules cover the research process, finding sources and search strategies, evaluating sources, research & data management, citing sources & plagiarism, research support for graduate students, and copyright & intellectual property. To find the modules, in Canvas, click the Commons button in the main red menu on the left side of the screen, click Search in the top blue banner, and search for “UW-Madison Libraries”.

For assistance, contact oist-lib@g-groups.wisc.edu