E-Books: Finding and Using Electronic Books

Before you add a link to a library ebook to Canvas, be sure to check the number of users. Especially if the book is going to be used by the entire class at the same time. If you can't determine the number of users, you can ask your subject librarian.

Once you've found an ebook in IUCAT, you have a couple of options for getting a persistent/stable URL to add to your Canvas course site.

1. Use the IUCAT link in your browser bar, which is persistent/stable. 
   • Pros: If who is providing access to the ebook changes, then you don't need to worry about the link going bad.
   • Cons: It can be a lot of clicks from the IUCAT link into the book, and can be a bit confusing.
2. Click into the book itself and get the database specific persistent/stable link.
   • Pros: Direct access to the book or chapter you want students to read.
   • Cons: If the library looses access to the book through that provider the link will no longer work.

There are a couple of ways to add an e-book to your Canvas course site.

1. Use the persistent link you found for the e-book and simply add that link into a Canvas module either:
   • As a hyperlink in a Canvas PAGE in the module.
   • As an EXTERNAL URL in the module.
2. Use the Reading List tool in Canvas which allows you to find e-books and automatically link them into your Canvas course site. Information on how to enable Reading Lists is in the IU Knowledge Base > Use the Reading List Tool in Canvas.