Documents and reports from websites

PDFs from websites require copyright consideration. The best practice is to provide a link to the webpage where the document is available from - do not link directly to the PDF as this may bypass important terms of use and other important website functions. If using the Reading List app then follow instructions on How to add readings from the internet - Cite It.

If you have problems locating a suitable link for a website document, then contact the Library Teaching Support team.

To use a PDF from a website use one of the three options below.

Note: If the PDF is from a Library subscribed resource use one of the Tools for linking to Library subscribed resources. 

Option 1 - Add the online location of the document to your Reading List

This is the best practice option.

Create a Reading List item for the document, providing a link to the webpage where the document is available. Add instructions as a Public Note for your students on where on the webpage to find the document if it is not obvious.  Do not link directly to the PDF online.

PDFs of Creative Commons licensed material may be added to your Reading Lists, along with the CC licence.

Option 2 - Upload the document to your Reading List

If you do not have an online location for the PDF, you can upload it to your Reading List using the 'Create' function.

Send it through to the Library to be assessed for copyright compliance.

Option 3 - Link to an online location for the PDF in your Canvas module

For copyright compliance, PDFs must not be uploaded to Canvas modules.

Also, do not link directly to the PDF as this may bypass important terms of use and other important website functions.

You can link to the landing page where the PDF is located by inserting a hyperlink to the webpage location in your Canvas page.

Go to the Canvas Page where you want to put the link.

1. Select the Edit button
2. In the Rich Content Editor mode, type the citation details of the article or relevant text.
3. Select the text
4. Select the Links icon
5. Paste the permalink you copied into the Insert Link box.
6. Select Done, then Save.

If you have problems locating a suitable link for a PDF then contact the Library Teaching Support team.

Hard copy books

If you want to refer your students to a hard copy book in the Library, then use Reading Lists, or follow the instructions for adding a LibrarySearch link to your Canvas course.

Scanned pages from print books or journals

RMIT University is bound by an educational licence with the copyright agency that sets out how RMIT staff can use chapters or scanned pages from published works for learning and teaching purposes. The licence requires that items be placed into eReserve.

Note:

• Only one chapter or 10% of the total number of pages in a work, whichever is greater, may be digitised.
• Additional pages from a book that exceeds the 10% or one chapter limit will require the permission of the copyright holder. The Permission service team will investigate and request the copyright clearances on your behalf.
• One journal article or more if they relate to the same subject matter.

Option 1 - Reading Lists

If using the Reading list app in Canvas then follow the instructions to request digitisation. Ensure all citation information is provided and tag with 'digitise'.

Option 2 - Request digitisation

If not using the Reading List app then the e-Reserve team will source and scan documents, such as chapters from books, journal articles, and artistic works, and add them to the e-Reserve collection. Find out more information about the eReserve service and how to make your requests.