Importing Existing Pressbooks Content
Why use the Pressbooks import tool?
- Maintain attribution, image metadata and other features from the source (if importing from another Pressbook)
- Importing typically creates better source code than copying & pasting
- Import multiple/specific sections of another Pressbook easily
There are a number of ways to add OER content from existing sources into Pressbooks. Take a moment to consider how much of a source you need to import. If desired, you can clone an entire book from another Pressbooks site, using the Clone A Book tool. If you’re not planning to use an entire book, it may make more sense to use the Import tool.
Before you begin
- Check for Creative Commons/Open licensing in source materials before importing – if materials are not explicitly marked with a CC license or Public Domain, please check with us OER@georgiancollege.ca for guidance
Keeping track of sources
- Create or clone the Imported Content Tracker Template (temporary page) at the beginning of your pressbook (in the front matter section)
- note the URL for any content you import, aligned with the new chapter/section name and/OR
- as you import, add the source URL to the top of the Pressbooks page
- Download/save a copy of the source materials in PDF format (if available) and add to the relevant row in your tracker
(Web content can change drastically and/or disappear in the time it takes to create an OER. this helps us to verify sources, licensing and copyright in case the source is removed/taken down after you imported it into Pressbooks. You can download the full book if you’re using a base text, or print/save individual PDFs for smaller sections of multiple sources).
- Keep running notes about any major modifications you make – eg: changing photos, rewriting a paragraph or adding your own content
- you can use temporary pressbooks text boxes to highlight these and leave notes highlighted in yellow
- Do not modify the “Permalink” at the top of each page – this helps differentiate original sources. This will be adjusted in the final stages of book editing/reviewing or at an agreed upon stage once content has been verified
Importing from another Pressbooks site
Video demonstrations (BC Campus)
Using the Import a Webpage Tool
Import type: Webpage or Pressbooks webook (.html or URL)
Import source: Import from URL – you must paste in the URL here
On the next screen, you should see an option to select the areas of the source book that you want to import
- Click the checkbox next to sections you want to import
- Note/adjust the area you want them to appear in your book
- Note/select any glossary terms that appear in the section you’re importing and add them (very bottom of the Select content to import screen
- Toggle whether or not you want the new content to show on the web immediately using checkbox
- Wait for the import.
- Return to the Organize screen to review what’s been imported
- Open the page you’ve imported, add the URL (top or very bottom of page is fine) that you imported from & save.
