Online Reading Lists - guidance for academic staff
About the Library’s Online Reading Lists service
Online Reading Lists offer some significant advantages over static word-processed lists: -
- functionality – users can see availability of books in SAULCAT, connect directly to electronic resources, and make use of features such as citation tools
- discoverability – making it easier for students to find learning materials increases the number of them they use and helps improve satisfaction rates
- flexibility – online lists can be updated instantly, e.g. if you want to change the order of weekly readings or add in a new resource
- accuracy – lists created by Library staff will be thoroughly checked to make sure that all books are in stock, web links are working, links are provided to electronic versions wherever possible, etc.
- usage statistics – academics who maintain their own lists can see a graphical representation of how many times individual reading list entries are accessed by students (video demo)
For more information on Online Reading Lists please contact us using the details below.
How to set up an online reading list
Option 1: Library staff can create a list for you – simply send your module reading list (marked up with items to go on short loan and chapters/articles to be digitised for MMS/Moodle) to the e-mail address below or by internal mail to ‘Online reading lists, Academic Liaison team, University Library’. If you wish you can opt to update the list yourself – contact us for details on how to go about this.
Option 2: If you want to create a list from scratch yourself, send your module number and title, the semester it’s running, and the estimated class size to the e-mail address below. We will set up a basic outline list and send you an e-mail invitation to become a ‘list publisher’. Brief instructions on creating lists can be found below along with short videos on key procedures. You can also arrange a short (30 mins.) one-to-one training session by contacting us using the details below.
Contact details
e-mail: readinglists@st-andrews.ac.uk
Coordinator: Colin Bovaird (e-mail cab, ext. 2306)
You can also contact your Academic Liaison team for more information.
Brief guide to creating lists:
Reading lists instructions for academics (PDF, 623 KB)
Video guides:
Creating a structure
Adding books (print or e-books) and DVDs
Adding e-journal articles
Video tutorials from the software provider:
http://support.talisaspire.com/categories/20001087-video-tutorials
