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Reading lists: a guide for academics: Talis Aspire

Talis Aspire

The online reading list software used by the Library is called Talis Aspire. It's integrated into Brightspace and should be used by every unit leader to provide a central set of information sources to support the independent learning of the students taking their unit.

Unit leaders can manage the content of their online reading list through Talis Aspire by:

  • Adding and removing items
  • Requesting that the library purchase books, journals, DVDS or other types of resources
  • Requesting digitised content, i.e. scanned copies of book chapters / journal articles
  • Structuring recommendations by week or theme
  • Enhancing recommendations with annotation
  • Tracking use of items

The Library can keep track of reading list items through this system to make sure there is sufficient access to resources to meet demand across all lists.

Key reading list principles

In response to BU’s decision to adopt a blended model of teaching and learning in 2020-21, it's essential that students are able to fully access library resources online. Although the physical libraries will be open, it's likely that many students will be infrequently present on campus and the necessary quarantining of books (max 72 hr) means that access to the library’s print collection will be more challenging.

As agreed with Deputy Deans of Education in each of the Faculties, and aligned to the Reading List Strategy 2020/21, Library Faculty Teams will be working collaboratively with academic colleagues to develop reading lists that align with the following key principles:

  1. E-books to be selected wherever possible
  2. If an existing reading list title is not available as an e-book, select an alternative title from BU library’s e-book collection
  3. Consult with the Faculty Library Teams about the purchase of e-book versions of titles
  4. Where there is no alternative other than a print book, consider including key elements from that source as scans/digitisations (in accordance with relevant copyright permissions)
  5. Label any remaining print books on a reading list as ‘optional’ reading
  6. Make increased use of specific e-journal, digitised and video content as appropriate
  7. Organise into sections and ensure that they are focused and succinct e.g. max. of 20-30 items

Click here for the Reading List Strategy for 2020-21: Semester 2 Revision document.