Ask the Library: Why are Course Reading lists important and what resources should I include?
The University Library supports access to course reading materials for students via the Course Readings tool in聽MyUni. This tool allows you to share learning materials with students, including readings, videos, textbooks and more. As semester 2 approaches, we encourage staff to create or roll over their readings lists as early as possible. Publishing a list sends it to the University Library, where staff can confirm the availability of materials for you. This saves you time and ensures we know what you need聽 - and if we don鈥檛 know, we can鈥檛 source it for you!听听
Why are reading lists important?聽
Resource accessibility:聽A complete, well-curated reading list created in the Course Readings聽MyUni聽tool ensures students can access required materials promptly, and you can keep track easily of what readings you have assigned.听听
Effective Learning:聽When students know what to read, they can prepare adequately for classes, discussions,聽and assignments. Listing all required and recommended reading material in a Course Readings list improves the student experience as it makes it easier for them to plan what they need to read and when throughout the semester.聽
Library Acquisition:聽Whether it鈥檚 textbooks, journal articles, or multimedia resources, having a clear list simplifies the acquisition process.聽By knowing which materials are needed, librarians can check availability of those resources and source digital access (if available, purchase physical copies and keep track of which resources are being used and needed.听听
What should聽teaching聽staff include in reading lists?聽
Short answer:聽You can add all types of resources to a reading list. But here are some below we specifically want to mention.聽
罢别虫迟产辞辞办蝉:听List all required textbooks and/or required readings聽and use appropriate tags. This allows the聽Library聽to track textbook requirements,聽provide聽eBook聽access where聽available聽and聽move physical items to聽our聽High Use聽collection.聽Please include Open Educational Resources if you are using these in your course as a textbook.听听
Multimedia resources:聽Don鈥檛 forget聽to聽add聽videos, documentaries, or other multimedia content.聽 If you plan to use聽Kanopy聽videos, include them in the reading list. The聽Library聽can then check availability of these titles and source them if possible.听听
Third-party copyright material:聽If you are wanting to supply third-party copyright material for students to read or view during semester, add them to a reading list. This is the聽only way聽to ensure compliance with the University鈥檚聽Copyright Policy. This type of material should not be shared with students in any other way (i.e.聽uploaded聽in a聽MyUni聽course).聽
The University Library has created an聽聽which provides step-by-step instructions on how to create a reading list, add items, review, publish and share. Please look through this course to become familiar with the new Course Readings interface or if you need a refresher. Any questions, please聽contact the University Library.听听
Remember, a comprehensive reading list benefits everyone鈥攕tudents,聽teaching staff, and librarians.聽