Quick Start for Librarians
Visit UCSB Library Service Integrations in Canvas to see the available library service integrations with Canvas.
- *Be sure your instructor adds you as a "Librarian" to their course in Canvas.
What are the differences between LibGuide LTI display in Canvas compared to Gauchospace?
The difference between the LTI display in Canvas and Gauchospace is the embed location of the auto-match LibGuide and manually added LibGuide. While Gauchospace uses External Tool to embed and display auto-match and manual LibGuides in the course sections, Canvas relies on the left-side course navigation to display auto-match LibGuides and course modules and pages to display manually embedded LibGuides. (See image below).
Currently, Canvas courses that adopt the Canvas course templates will have the auto-match LibGuide feature on the left-hand side of the course navigation.
Enabled auto-match LibGuide appears on the left-side course navigation and will remain there when enabled in Canvas. Manually added LibGuides are embedded as a part of a course module or page. To remove auto-match LibGuide from the Canvas course, you can simply drag the item below to hide it from students. (See image below)
Librarian FAQ Overview
LibGuides LTI in Canvas
Libguides and other Springshare materials are integrated into Canvas using Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI). In this application, our Library Research Guides can be displayed directly in Canvas.
What is the Canvas Transition Timeline?
UCSB has completed the learning management system (LMS) transition from Gauchospace (Moodle) to Canvas in Fall 2023. Most of the courses beginning in Fall 2023 have moved into the Canvas environment. During the Canvas transition, we have integrated auto-matching at the subject level for our research guides, experimented with other library service integrations in Canvas, and provided and assisted resources for the librarians in this transition. For the latest update on the UCSB Canvas Implementation, please visit UCSB Canvas Transition.
If you have questions about supporting instructors in Canvas for the upcoming academic year, please get in touch with teaching&learning@library.ucsb.edu.
How do course department code and LibGuide Metadata connect LibGuide LTI tools in Canvas?
The department codes are course identifiers needed to connect LibGuide LTI tools in Canvas. (i.e., PHIL 124A - PHIL OF SCIENCE - Fall 2022). These codes have to match the LibGuide metadata codes we assigned on the backend of the Research Guides. That means there may be instances where subject-level Libguide does not appear in the appropriate course. If you and your faculty liaison encounter this issue or need to connect subject-level Research guides to a specific course, you can reach out to your LibGuide Admins to assist with your request.
What can I do if I need to display LibGuide for two or more subject areas?
For interdisciplinary studies requiring two or more subject areas, you can rely on LibGuide’s auto-match feature and manually add additional subject-level LibGuide(s) into the course*. For directions on integrating LibGuide's auto-match tool and manually adding LibGuides into an instructor’s course, go to the UCSB Canvas Guides. *Note: Your faculty will need to assign you the "Librarian" role inside the Canvas course to complete this step.
Will this take the place of working with faculty to make individual course guides?
Absolutely not! This is just another tool and way to provide just-in-time library resource support for our students in Canvas. We encourage you to work with your faculty to enable LibGuides LTIs inside their course. If the general guide does not meet the course's learning goals, you can provide a way for the faculty to reach out to you and work with your LibGuide Admin to connect your LibGuide to the faculty’s course. Additionally, not all of the courses have adopted or use the Canvas LMS; thus, you may encounter faculty without a Canvas course page, which is why it is important to work closely with your liaison faculty to provide needed materials for the class.
Information for your faculty and instructors
UCSB Canvas Support - Getting Canvas help and training from the College of Letters and Science IT.
FAQs:
Why would I use the LibGuide LTI tool rather than just linking to the library website?
Using the LTI to embed a research guide ensures that your students are taken directly to resources uniquely curated for the subject area. Additionally, since the embedded page is a live website, students can find up-to-date resources for research before leaving Canvas.
The subject research guide was too general for my Canvas course
Reach out to your subject librarian, and they'll work with you to make sure what your class needs are added to the general subject guide, create a guide specifically for your class, or make targeted recommendations of sources to link to
The subject research guide was not available for my Canvas course
If you find the research guide displayed in your Canvas course is not a great fit for your class, please email your subject librarian or contact teaching&learning@library.ucsb.edu.
My subject librarians created a course guide for my class and matched my course, but I would like to use the general landing page for research guides
There are directions on the UCSB Canvas Guides for how to embed research guides manually. If you have difficulty locating the guide you need, please email your subject librarians or contact teaching&learning@library.ucsb.edu.
Let your students know about their librarians and library services in Canvas
You are our advocate for library services and resources! We encourage you to direct your students to set an appointment with our Librarians for any research assistance and use all available library services in Canvas for your course.
Library Resource Integrations in Canvas Course Templates
The UCSB Canvas Team has created video tutorials to showcase the integration of Library Research Guides and Library Resources inside two of the Canvas Course Templates: Minimal and Deluxe Course Templates. The locations to find these library services are the same across both templates.
In both minimal and deluxe course templates, you will find the "UCSB Resources page" that directs students to the Student Research Support website.
Accessibility Checker in Canvas LMS
When building learning content inside the instructor’s Canvas course, use the Canvas Accessibility Checker to ensure your content is accessible to all users.
If you are embedding a LibGuide inside your instructor’s course, please double-check that your LibGuide(s) is accessible by following the Instructional Resources for Library Instructors for LibGuide accessibility best practices. If you need help making your learning materials accessible, you can reach out to teaching&learning@library.ucsb.edu.