What's New? Library Resources and Free E-textbooks available in Canvas

Many library services and resources are now accessible directly from Canvas, the learning management portal through which students can access course materials and submit assignments. UT Libraries also has partnered with the VolShop to provide students with affordable course materials at the lowest possible price.

From the “Resources at UT Libraries” page in Canvas, students can access free e-textbooks for many courses being offered this academic year.

The Libraries’ page in Canvas also provides direct links to databases and research guides. Hundreds of research guides are available online to direct students to the best library resources. The library’s Canvas page lets students: chat online with a librarian; find answers to frequently asked questions; and link to tutorials on using library resources, evaluating information, and the basics of conducting library research.

In addition to freely available e-textbooks accessible through the Libraries’ Canvas page, other required course materials, available through the VolShop’s Total Access* program, can be accessed from the “VolBooks Course Materials” page within Canvas.

Total Access offers undergraduates one flat fee per term for most required course materials and gives them access to most required course materials. All undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in Total Access, and the fee is processed to the student’s account. Students may opt out of the program, as long as they do so by the August 26 deadline. A different program, Inclusive Access, is available to graduate students.

Students can easily access all of their digital materials by logging into their Canvas account. If there are any non-digital course materials, undergrads enrolled in the Total Access program can visit VolBooks in the Student Union and receive a print copy at no additional charge.

If a resource is freely available through UT Libraries, it is not included in the Total Access program — which helps to keep the student fee as low as possible.

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*Total Access is a program that offers one flat fee, per term for most required undergraduate course materials, similar to a subscription plan. Where Inclusive Access lowered the cost of individual items, Total Access reduces the overall cost for required course materials across all undergraduate disciplines and areas of study. Required materials are available if the instructor has placed an adoption with VolBooks and a publisher/EdTech vendor follows federal affordability guidelines.