Library

Teaching resources

CDU Library supports teaching and learning by providing a broad range of online and physical resources.  

Use Library Search to check if the Library already has what you want. If you cannot find the item in Library Search, please request it.

For advice on selection and inclusion of resources in your units, contact a Librarian. It is also useful to familiarise yourself with the Subject Guide for your discipline. 

Resource ready checklist

  1. Do you have a variety of up to date, quality resources for students to access? See the Evaluating Information Sources Guide for evaluation criteria.
  2. Have you considered whether the reading workload is achievable within the expected time investment for the unit?
  3. Have you chosen resources that are available online such as eBooks or via Library subscription databases to maximise their accessibility for all students?
  4. Have you tested all the links to online resources and removed any associated PDF files? Licensing agreements do not always allow materials to be embedded. Whenever possible used a permalink or if necessary constructed a stable link.

How to make resources available to students

Whenever possible CDU Library will provide resources in digital format. This is to ensure clients have flexible and equitable access. The Library uses an authentication system called OpenAthens to manage access to digital resources.

If you have directly linked to resources from your Learnline unit using EZproxy links, you will need to update those links to the OpenAthens format or replace them with a permalink from Library Search. EZproxy links will no longer function. Links to freely available websites and open access resources do not need to be updated.

During Semester 1 2021 we are transitioning from eReadings to Reading List, a reading management system which integrates with Learnline and the Library management system. It provides streamlined access for academics and students.

To discover how to create a Reading List and add items, please explore our Reading List Guide. It is still possible to add to eReadings in your unit. See below.

  • Use Library Search to locate specific book titles.

    If you are currently using eReadings for your students’ unit readings, here’s how to link to books in your unit teaching materials:

    1. Search for the item in Library Search. If it’s not available, request it.
    2. Copy the permalink from Library Search. The permalink is more reliable than a database link, which means it is less likely to need updating.
    3. Embed this Library Search permalink in your Learnline Unit.
    4. Advise students which chapter, section or pages they should read.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Add Library resources tab of the Reading List Guide

    Contact Learnline support if you need help with Learnline.

    Mashup textbooks

    Some publishers sell interactive online textbooks, e.g. Top Hat. Unlike Library resources and Open Education Resources, these incur extra costs for students and cannot be made available through the Library.

  • Copyright regulations state that only one chapter or 10% may be digitised from a single book for a unit.

    If you are currently using eReadings, here’s how to include a chapter.

    If the required chapter is in a print book use this form to request it to be added to your eReadings.

    If the chapter is in an eBook, link to the eBook by:

    1. Searching for the item in Library Search. If it’s not available, request it.
    2. Copying the permalink from Library Search. The permalink is more reliable than a database link, which means it is less likely to need updating.
    3. Embedding this Library Search permalink in your Learnline Unit.
    4. Advising students which chapter, section or pages they should read.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Request resource tab of the Reading List Guide

    Contact Learnline support if you need help with Learnline.

  • Journal articles, newspaper articles and conference papers can be found via Library Search.

    If you are currently using eReadings, here’s how to include an article in your unit's teaching resources.

    1. Search for the item in Library Search. If it’s not available, use this form to request it to be added to your eReadings.
    2. Copy the permalink from Library Search*. The permalink is more reliable than a database link, which means it is less likely to need updating.
    3. Embed this Library Search permalink in your Learnline Unit.
    4. Advise students which section or pages they should read.

    *Note: some articles can't be found in Library Search so try Google and Google Scholar or you may need to search for them in subject specific databases. When linking to articles from databases, find a permalink or convert the URL into a stable link to ensure access for external students.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Add Library resources tab of the Reading List Guide

    Contact Learnline support if you need help with Learnline.

  • For material that is freely available on the web, such as websites, PDFs, or YouTube videos, paste a link directly to this resource in your Learnline module.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Add online resources tab of the Reading List Guide and use the Cite it! tool.

  • Find videos and other digital learning objects in Library Search or platforms like YouTube. The Library subscribes to streaming video platform Kanopy for documentaries and films.

    If you are currently using eReadings for your students’ unit readings, link to this content or embed it in your unit's teaching materials.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Add Library resources tab (items accessed through the Library)  or the Add online resources tab (items accessed online) of the Reading List Guide.

  • Open Educational Resources are materials that are licensed in ways to allow individuals and institutions to reuse, adapt and modify for their own use. OERs include lesson plans, full courses, textbooks, streaming videos, exams, apps, and other materials or techniques that support learning. Take a look at CDU Pressbooks. If you are interested in using OER see the Library’s OER guide or contact a Librarian.

    If you are using Reading List go to the Add online resources tab of the Reading List Guide and use the Cite it! tool.