In preparing for a class lecture, I have found several articles from library databases that I would like to add to my assigned reading list for my students. Can I download the .pdfs and post them to my course website?
The best way to make electronically-accessible readings available to your students is to copy and paste the persistent URL (when available) from the database article's record onto your Blackboard, e-reserve or course web page. From on campus, this will automatically link a student directly to the database record and thus the full text. (From off campus students will need to authenticate with a username and password; please contact your campus library for instructions on how to set this up.) If there is no persistent URL you may post the downloaded document or print out the document and scan it, then post the PDF to the page. Be sure to always include a copyright notice and a complete citation when labeling course readings on your sites.
If you do not use a web site or course management system, you may also distribute a one-time photocopy of the reading to the class.