Research Guides: Canvas Library Resources: Link to Library Materials

Link to articles, eBooks, or videos

Provide access by linking to articles, eBooks or streaming videos from library subscription databases
Instructors may need to check with the library to determine the number of user licenses (single or unlimited) per resource to determine the simultaneous user view options.
When you are searching in one of the library's many individual databases and find a library resource you want to share, look for and copy the item's permanent link. Permanent links (or permalinks, or durable links) are URLs that will not time out or change. Each library database provides their permanent links in different ways:

Embedding EBSCO and ProQuest documents into Canvas

UMKC Instructors are able to search for library subscriptions through EBSCO and ProQuest from within Canvas, select them, and embed them for viewing within Canvas courses and assignments. The advantage of this method is that users will be able to read library resources without leaving Canvas, and not be prompted to authenticate.

After logging into Canvas, select Courses from the left menu and select the course where you would like to embed a reading.
For an existing module, select the + sign at the right to add a content item. If you don’t have a module, you can add one with the + Module button.

From the Add dropdown, select External Tool.
From the list of External Tools that appears in the popup, select the EBSCOhost Library or ProQuest external tool.
A frame will open and display the home page of the EBSCO or ProQuest platform configured for your Canvas account.
You can search and browse within this frame to find the document you wish to link to.
Once identified, the document display page will have a Select this document (ProQuest) or +Add (EBSCO) button near the top of the page. Use this button to select the document you’d like to embed in your module.

This will return you to the Add Item form in Canvas. Scroll down and enter a meaningful Page Name.
For the best experience, we recommend checking the Load in new tab checkbox.
Click the Add Item button to complete the addition of the link. Click the new link. It should open a new frame to the document page identified above, without requiring authentication.

Video Tutorials

Share your link

Once you have created the link, you can use and share it! Post it as a link in your syllabus or add to your course.
To add a link to a Canvas module:

From an existing module, click the "+" button

From the drop-down menu, click "Add External URL"

Paste in the generated link for the article, eBook, or video
Provide a name for the link.
Select “Load in New Tab”
Click “Add Item”

NOTE: For information about copyright, please see the Copyright Guide. Linking to resources also helps the library track which resources are being used. Usage statistics help the library buy the right resources for you!

Problems or comments? Please contact us.

Proxy Link Generator

Make the link work off-campus

After finding a permanent link to a library resource, you need to make sure that it works from off-campus. Use this tool to create links to resources that will work both on- and off-campus. Permanent links found using the discovery tool (above). Some library databases will already include the proxy server. Use this tool to check if you aren't sure.

Tips for using this tool:

The link must be a permanent link (see above).
You do not need to do this for freely available sites (such as Google) or links that already begin with http://proxy.library.umkc.edu....
If you have addresses such as http://someaddress.com.proxy.library.umkc.edu..., this will fix them for you.
This tool requires JavaScript enabled in your browser to work.

Copy and paste your permanent link:

Copy and use the resulting link:

Canvas Library Resources

Librarian