First, Check the Library Database for Existing Materials:
The Library recommends linking to public domain, library-licensed, or open-access online content rather than uploading copyrighted materials to your course site when possible. If you wish to upload copyrighted materials rather than linking to them, please consult the Course Instructor Guide to Copyright & bCourses for best practices.
Linking from existing readings from the library has many advantages.
- Saves time for the content creator
- Most, if not all, the files are already accessible
- Will not violate Copyright
Follow the steps below to find and add library-licensed online readings to bCourses:
- Locate the library resource online
- Copy the permanent link for the resource
- Add the permanent link to your bCourses class
For more information, please see the Add Course Readings to bCourses: Add "Reserves" to bCourses help article.
If you can not find a particular resource online in the Library, you can contact a librarian to see if the item is available elsewhere or if it's available to purchase.
Create Accessible Readings
If you find that the desired reading is not available at the Library and you are ready to create accessible content, follow the steps below.
Already have a digital file/scan?
Once you have a clean scan or file available, the file is ready to go through OCR. Students registered with the Disabled Students Program can submit a request to the DSP team to have reading assignments converted to more accessible formats, depending on their need. Without a clean scan, DSP has a more difficult time accommodating the needs of our students.
If Yes: Check the quality of the file/scan. Is it an accessible file/scan?
- Legible?
- Page not slanted?
- Free from a dark binding, due to a bad scan?
- Free from specs, writing?
To gauge whether your scan is accessible, please see the two examples below:
If it is a clean scan, go to "Run the File Through Optical Character Recognition (OCR)".
If it is not a clean scan and you'd like to rescan, go to the step below and watch the video for tips and tricks on how to create a clean scan.
If No: If you do not have a digital copy of the reading material and have the rights to copy the content, please watch the video below with tips and tricks on how to make a scan of the reading content.
Please note: self-service scanners are available in libraries across campus to all UC Berkeley affiliates to scan, email, print, and/or save accessible files to one's USB drive or various cloud accounts.