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Libraries and Learning Skills

Online reading lists (Talis Aspire) for Academic Staff

Before you create a new reading list it is recommended you:

Before you create a new list it is important to see if a list already exists for your module. You can do this by searching for the module name or code in the search box on the Talis Aspire homepage. If a list does already exist, edit this one rather than copying it or creating a new list for the module. If you are unable to edit the existing list, please contact your Academic Subject Librarian for editing rights.

The quickest and easiest way to add items to your reading list is to use the Bookmarking Extension. Click on the 'My Bookmarks' tab and then 'Install Bookmarking Extension' and follow the instructions on the screen. Click here for more information about downloading and using the Bookmarking Extension.

Use the library website to search for books and journal articles to add to your reading list. Click here for more information about adding items to your reading list.

Create a new list

To create a new list select 'My Lists' from the navigation bar, then the 'Create new list' button.

Screenshot of Creating a new list screen

For more information on how to fill out the list details, click on the options below:

We have a naming convention for list names which include the module name and module code in brackets:

Example reading list title: Research Skills 3 (PRD3004M)

If a list is not connected to a module it does not need to follow naming conventions. For example, a list of reading recommendations for a book group or material promoted as part of an event.

This field is not mandatory but can be used to add information about the list, add collaborators names or simply give some overview guidance on using the list.

The hierarchy allows us to link the reading list to a specific module on Blackboard once the list is published. Search and select the relevant module code from the results.

When searching for the module, if no results are returned, the most likely reason is that the module code has not been added centrally. This is often the case with new modules and newly validated programmes. Contact your Academic Subject Librarian, who will be able to organise adding the module details.

Select a time period. This allows us to associate the list with the correct module in Blackboard, and enables a student to see they are working from the latest version of a reading list. For each teaching period, your list will be copied to a new version for you by the centralised rollover process. This is to ensure the right list appears in the correct version of the module in Blackboard. This also makes sure that any digitised item will be viewable by that cohort of students.

If at the point of list creation the student numbers are unknown or unconfirmed, this field can be left blank and completed at a later date. Accurate student figures help the University of Lincoln Library understand the potential demand for an item and help with decisions on electronic sourcing. Because the Library also accesses the Talis Aspire Digitised Content, this provides the student numbers used when reporting to the Copyright Licensing Agency.