Linking Electronic Reserves and Library Database Articles in Blackboard John Burke Gardner-Harvey Library or November 3, 2004

Practice classroom My practice classroom is available to anyone 1. Enter Blackboard (blackboard.muohio.edu) and login 2. Click on the “Courses” tab, and under “Course Search” on the left, enter “John’s Practice Classroom” 3. Click on the course title to enter 4. Look under “Course Documents” and then “Linking Library Resources” for material from this session

What does the library have to offer? 20,000+ electronic journals (direct & via aggregators) Bibliographic databases (catalogs) Electronic books (netLibrary, Safari, etc.) Digital resources - Maps, GIS data, photographs, etc. Electronic reserves Librarian expertise in reference assistance

Why is linking a good idea? Works with principles of course management software – bring course materials together in one place (faculty convenience) Gives students quick access to information for use in projects (aids learning) Makes use of diverse and rich library materials and services

What about copyright? Linking directly to articles in databases is covered in our OhioLINK licensing agreements Placing materials in BB is covered under Fair Use Guidelines (login required). See the article “Course Management Software and Copyright” at for additional issues and questions. Also, see the bottom of the document at /ffaq.php for links and clarification

Where the links are In Blackboard, links may be placed in several places I use two areas for these examples: “Course Documents” – can link scanned documents, copied article files, or URLs “External Links” – works with any URL and label See handout for step by step directions for some types of items

Linking to electronic reserves Use if you have materials on electronic reserve at: See my handout for instructions Find more information on placing items on electronic reserve at: ffaq.php

Linking to full-text articles Making a direct link to an article Three types: Linking to an article within a database (EBSCO) Linking to a single electronic journal (OhioLINK EJC or Miami subscriptions) Linking to free online journals or sample articles See handout for instructions for first two; Third can be done by copying URL to External Links or Course Documents

Linking to copies of full-text articles Use this method when database does not allow direct linking See handout for instructions You can save copies of the articles as HTML or PDF files and then link them in BB Same process would work for items you scanned yourself and placed in PDF format

Linking to e-books E-book collections: netLibrary and Safari Find through MU Libraries Catalog Add “netlibrary” or “safari” as keyword Labeled as [Electronic Resource] Search them directly under “Online Texts” on The Learning Hub Right-click on link to book, and use “Copy Shortcut” to copy book’s URL to BB Also electronic reference sources (try “Research by Subject” on The Learning Hub)

Linking to library catalog searches May wish to show class successful searches for materials on given topics Can run searches in the Catalog, and then copy the URL in the “Location” box to BB Works with any type of search, including limits Search will continue to work, though results may change

Linking to Internet search results Same idea as linking to catalog searches Could support an assignment: “From this Google search, pick three sites and evaluate why they would or would not be useful for a research paper on blump.” Fine-tuned searches could serve as a reserve list of documents Copy URL from “Location” box to BB

Linking to library chat reference For MU Libraries chat reference, see the page at “Get Help” on The Learning Hub’s front page for the hours of operation. The link to “Live Online Assistance” could be copied and placed in BB classroom OhioLINK chat reference is also available at chat.ohiolink.edu BB gives students ability to work and discuss class materials at any time; they should also be able to ask research questions if needed

Assistance with incorporating library resources into Blackboard I would be very happy to: Guide the creation of links to existing items Aid in the location of individual articles, documents, or images Create suggested lists of Internet and library resources for a course Suggest organizational schemes for resources to complement course content