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Course readings: Information for instructors

You can distribute course readings to your students in these ways:

Library Reading List  |  Uploading to Quercus  |  Short term loan books  |  Course packs

Library Reading List: A new application

The library will be using a new reading list application called Library Reading List to prepare course reading lists as of Fall 2021. This replaces the previous Library Course Reserves application.

  • The new application streamlines access to a wide variety of course and library materials for students and instructors by being closely integrated with Quercus and our library resources
  • It creates a single list of all the course materials you have requested for your class through the Library’s Course Reserves & Syllabus Service, allowing students to access many of their readings directly online.
  • The list can be made up of articles, books, web links, and media resources
  • Library staff will also ensure your course readings are made available to students while respecting Canadian copyright law and existing U of T licensing agreements and policies.

How do I submit my reading list? 

The submission instructions, and instructions on how to make the finished readings visible to your students, are described here

Having trouble finding or accessing your online course readings through Quercus? 

See our help page.

If you need any further assistance with this tool, contact syllabus.service@library.utoronto.ca

Uploading to Quercus or other Learning Management Engines (LME)

You may choose to upload resources to a Learning Management Engine (i.e. Quercus) yourself; however, you must do this in compliance with Canadian copyright and any other applicable laws. Copyright compliance includes:

  • Use of library licensed material within its permitted uses;
  • Use of openly licensed material (i.e.: Creative Commons material)
  • Permission from the copyright owner to use material;
  • Use of material within one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act, such as Fair Dealing;
  • Cases where no permission is required, such as scanning a public domain work.

Refer to the Copyright Resources, which includes the University of Toronto’s Fair Dealing Guidelines and  Copyright FAQs, for further guidance.

Library staff can check your reading list for copyright compliance and investigate alternative options and negotiate copyright clearance for items that exceed our current licences or fair dealing guidelines, if available, at no cost to you.

How do I submit my reading list? 

The submission instructions are described on this page

Questions?

Contact syllabus.service@library.utoronto.ca 

For more information on uploading resources into learning management environment, please visit the Quercus Support Resources hub for information on building your course. 

Short term loan books

Update: December 21, 2022: the Course Reserves desk in the Media Commons has been relocated to the 1st floor Robarts Library Loans Desk.

  • Pending reopening of physical spaces for Fall 2021: We will place print items in the course reserves collection of your preferred library – if open – for the duration of the course.  
  • Email syllabus.service@library.utoronto.ca to request that physical copies of assigned course materials be placed on reserve in the library,and your item(s) will be directed to the appropriate library.
  • Please include the following details:
    • The course name and course code
    • Your name and contact information
    • Titles of books (including author, editor, or edition details)

In addition, library staff will do their best to locate and acquire electronic versions of needed texts. Please read our statement on the challenges on the challenges of acquiring electronic textbooks.

If you are interested in inquiring about audiovisual material for teaching, please visit the Media Commons Book programs/screening rooms page for more information.

Course packs

If you want to distribute a printed course pack of readings for your course, you have the following options:

Use the U of T Bookstore

  • The University continues to work closely with the University of Toronto Bookstore to provide course materials to students.
  • To produce a course pack, visit their 'How to build your course pack' webpage for guidance. 
  • You are encouraged to contact them for your course pack needs.

Use a Licensed Access Copyright copyshop  

  • This is a list of copyshops with a current Access Copyright License.
  • It contains many options in the Toronto area that can support your course pack needs

–Updated December 21, 2021