Resource Libraries

Table of Contents

• Definition of a Resource Library
• Benefits of a Resource Library
• Considerations when Using a Resource Library
• An Alternative to Using a Resource Library
• Create a Resource Library
• Add Content to a Resource Library
• Access Content within a Resource Library

Definition of a Resource Library

An ANGEL resource library is a special course that an instructor can use to share course "Lessons" tab content items with other instructors.

Benefits of a Resource Library

• You have a space where you can place content one time for others to access repeatedly.



• You can specify who can access a library, from all people with editor rights in any course throughout the University down to the editor in a specific section of a specific course.



• Individuals who have access to a library can copy items from the library into their course, or they can link to those items. A linked item is like a shortcut or an alias. Linked items will change if the original item in the resource library is changed. This can be a useful feature if you have a frequently-updated content item that is used in many courses.

Considerations when Using a Resource Library

Potentially, people who should not have access to a resource library might gain access.

Although you may have set your resource library to be available to other faculty, those faculty may grant course editor rights to individuals unknown to you. An editor has the same access to the course as the faculty member. These individuals may be undergraduate students taking the course, teaching assistants, staff, colleagues from other universities, or anyone granted full access to the faculty member's course. Once such individuals have editor rights in a course that has access to your resource library, they will also have access to that resource library. While this is a convenience in most cases, it is possible for individuals to view sensitive course information in your library without your knowledge or consent.

If you have any questions or concerns about security of sensitive material that you wish to make available in ANGEL, you may submit your question through the ANGEL Ask Question form and the ANGEL Help Desk staff will assist you.

If others rely on your resource library, it is your responsibility to update and maintain it.

An Alternative to Using a Resource Library

If you have sensitive material in ANGEL you wish to share only with specific colleagues, consider creating an ANGEL group and adding those colleagues to the group. Group settings allow you ensure that only the individuals you specify can access the group and its contents.

Create a Resource Library

Complete the Resource Library Request Form. The ANGEL Help Desk staff will then create a resource library in a timely manner and notify you when it is ready.

Add Content to a Resource Library

Once your resource library is created, it will be listed on your "My Profile" page like a course. In fact, it is a course—just a specialized one. To add content to the resource library, select its name to enter it and add content on the "Lessons" tab just as in a course.

Note: Only items on the "Lessons" tab of the resource library will be available to others accessing it.

Access Content within a Resource Library

To use content from a resource library to which you have been granted access:

1. On "My Profile," select the name of the course to which you are adding content.
2. Select the "Lessons" tab.
3. Select the "Add Content" link in the toolbar.
4. Select the "Import Items" link.
5. Within the "Libraries" box, select the name of the appropriate library.
6. Click the "Search" button.
7. Select the check box next to each desired item.
8. Click either the "Copy Items" or "Link to Items" button.

Note: A linked item is like a shortcut or an alias. Linked items will change if the original item in the resource library is changed. This can be useful for a frequently-updated content item used in many courses.