Q. Why am I getting errors when trying to access course materials in Canvas?

If you are encountering errors when trying to access course materials through the Library Reserves section of Canvas:

1. Try clearing your session cookies using your browser's settings and signing back into Canvas and then the Library Reserves section.
   • This will resolve most access problems. We suggest clearing your session cookies often to proactively avoid the problem. Clearing your session cookies helps because various Harvard platforms and integrated tools all have different "time out" periods for your Harvard Key credentials (e.g., Canvas, Library Reserves Tool, HOLLIS, etc. all time out at different periods.)

If you cleared your cookies and are still experiencing access issues please verify the following:

1. You are on the correct course site in Canvas (and that you are enrolled in that course, confirmed in your my.harvard course enrollment view) 
2. You are logged in with your Harvard Key 
3. You can navigate to the Library Reserves list in the left menu panel 
4. You can click on Library Reserves and see the list of materials 

If, after taking these steps there are still issues, you can try using the "Report Broken Link" on each reading within the Library Reserves section of Canvas.

Or submit an Ask Us form and tell us which course you're enrolled in and a description of the problem you are encountering. Including a screenshot is very helpful. We will work with HGSE IT, teaching teams, and others, to troubleshoot your access issues.