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Our Services: Reading Lists: Submitting reading lists

A guide on how to create and maintain reading lists using Talis Aspire

Context and principles

The University continues to offer a blended model of teaching and learning in 2021-22, so it is vital that students can fully access all essential materials described in their reading lists online, along with as as much of the background reading as possible. Although the situation shows signs of improving, the possibility of reduced access to physical library resources in 2021-22 remains. If library support is needed for modules delivered in 2021-22, tutors will need to develop reading lists that align with the following key principles:

  1. All essential readings, and as much of the additional readings as possible, should be accessible online.
  2. If any significant readings are not available online, select alternative titles from the library’s existing online resources or investigate the option to purchase ebook versions, bearing in mind that many titles - especially textbooks - are not available to purchase for institutional use.
  3. Where there is no online option available for purchase, consider selecting key extracts for scanning from an existing print copy (in accordance with relevant copyright permissions) or searching for an open access version.
  4. Set any materials not available in the library or only available in print as 'optional' reading and flag to students that library access may not be available or may be limited.

Submitting reading lists

Tutors should continue to create and manage their online reading lists through the Talis Aspire interface, clicking the 'publish' button when they are ready to use, and selecting 'Request review' from the 'edit' menu to alert the Library to any changes. Use the 'Request digitisation' function to request scans of key extracts.

Changes to reading lists can be made at any time of year and will be reflected in the student view as soon as you publish the list.. However, bear in mind that requests for new acquisitions or scans need to reach the Library by 1st July each year to ensure availability to students by the start of Michaelmas term. Such requests for Epiphany and Easter term can be submitted later - allow 3 months' notice in each case.

Ensure you are editing the version of the list marked 2021-22, unless this year's cohort need to see the changes too.

Instructions for editing reading lists and alerting the library to new provisions needed are available in a series of step-by-step instructions and video guides in the Using Talis Aspire Tab at the top of this page.

If you cannot log into Talis Aspire, email library.resources@durham.ac.uk to request 'list publisher' permissions.

Checking for online access

  • Check for existing ebooks using the catalogue with the ebooks or eresources filter in the drop-down menu applied.
  • Where an ebook isn't already available, you can check for library licences using Gobi and LibCentral.
  • Where an ebook is not an option available, check whether sections can be scanned.
  • Where there are no suitable online options available, discuss potential solutions with your Faculty Librarian.

What to do

What should I do now?

  1. Check whether a list is present on Talis Aspire for your module and that all expected items are present. Create one if needed, or seek assistance if a list you expect to see is absent or empty. 
  2. Review the list to ensure all relevant materials are present, making additions and removals as necessary.
  3. Request extracts for scanning if any are needed.
  4. Add sections and re-arrange the list structure to make it intuitive to your students.
  5. Highlight any essential readings using the drop-down options adjacent to each item.
  6. Annotate key items, using the 'note for students' feature to explain their significance and add contextual notes where appropriate.
  7. Press the 'publish' button to reflect any changes in the students' view.
  8. Select 'Request review' from the 'edit' menu above the list to alert the Library, especially if you have added any books that need purchasing or designated new items as 'essential'.
  9. Link to the reading list from the module in Learn Ultra using the instructions available there. Click the question mark then the magnifying glass to search for 'reading lists'.
  10. [Optional] Link to the relevant sections of your reading list from the respective sections of your module in Learn Ultra to help guide your students' reading.

Alerting the Library to new materials needed to support teaching

Online reading lists should now be maintained by the module tutors instead of sending files to the Library. If you cannot log in to Talis Aspire, request editing rights from library.resources@durham.ac.uk.

New materials can be added or deleted using the instructions available in the Using Talis Aspire tab near the top of this page. Books already in the Library's collections can be added to a reading list from their records in the catalogue or Discover using the Talis bookmarking tool. Books not already in the collections can be flagged for purchase by bookmarking them from an external supplier like Amazon or the publisher's web pages, adding them to the relevant reading list, then by selecting 'Request review' from the edit menu above the list. 

If you want to add further information for the library regarding a purchase of material please use the 'Note for Library' function.