Reading lists: Staff - how to guide

In this section...

Creating list sections

Rearranging list sections

Setting sections collapsed by default

Creating list sections

Reading lists need to have at least one section, but we recommend more for a clear structure, for example by name of teaching staff, week of study or topic:

• Click ‘New Section’.
• Enter a section title.
• Click ‘Create’.
• Repeat the process to add more sections.  If your list has a lot of sections, add them in reverse order as the last added will always show at the top.

You cannot create further sub-sections within these sections. However, you might want to consider using notes to further structure a section.

To add a note:

• Click on the '...' button at the top of the section.
• Choose 'Add a note'.
• Give the note a title.
• Click 'Create'.

Rearranging list sections

To rearrange the sections in your Library List, collapse the sections by clicking the ‘Toggle section view’ icon.  Then hover over the section you wish to move and two horizontal lines in a blue block the length of the collapsed section will appear on the right-hand side.  Click here and drag to move the section.  You can also shift sections up and down one place at a time using the blue arrow buttons.

Setting sections collapsed by default

If you choose this option, the first thing students will see is a list of all the section headings.  This can be good from an accessibility perspective, making it easier for students to navigate to the section they require, rather than having to scroll down past multiple book/article records to get there.  It is also good for promoting the full range of content and allowing students to see how the unit is set up at glance.

To set the sections as collapsed, you select the 'Reading List Options' menu:

In this section...

Adding books to your list (from the library catalogue)

Adding tags to identify essential, recommended or background reading

Adding a public note

Adding books not available on the library catalogue

Converting a book into a book chapter reference

Adding books to your list

• Click the ‘Add Items +’ button to add an item to your list. 

• Then choose 'Library Search' to add books from the library catalogue.

• In the search window, enter author’s/editor's surname and/or title keywords and run the search.
• If multiple versions of the same title are available, click on the 'X additional versions available' link to display all.
• Click on the item you want to add in the results list.
• Select the appropriate 'Section' from the drop-down menu.
• Click 'Add'.
• Alternatively, drag and drop a record from the results list into the relevant section.
• Please add all relevant editions and formats (i.e. print book and e-book records should they not display in the same record).

Adding tags to identify essential, recommended or background reading

Please add one of the following tags to each item to help students understand their reading list and to support the Library in making appropriate purchasing decisions.

• Essential reading: students will require regular access to the item while taking the unit.
• Recommended reading: students will require some access to the item while taking the unit.
• Background reading: students may use the item for additional breadth/interest.

Adding a public note

Consider adding a public note to the item to provide your students with important information, for example 'Please read pp.10-25'.

• To add a public note, click on the item which will open in a pop-up window.
• Scroll down and click 'Add public note'.
• Enter the note and then click 'Save'.

Adding books not available on the library catalogue

If you cannot find the book you would like to add through the Library Search, you can add a reference by creating an item from scratch.

• Click the ‘Add items +’ button to add an item to your list.
• Select 'Blank Form'.

• Under ‘Type’ select ‘Book’.
• Enter as many details as possible, as a minimum title and author are required.
• Select the 'Section', then click 'Add'.
• Please tag the item as detailed above and add a public note if required.

Converting a 'book' into a 'book chapter' reference

You do not need to change a ‘book’ to a ‘book chapter’ reference; adding the chapter or page range information in a public note as detailed above is sufficient.  However, if you want to request a digital copy of a book chapter from a print book, the reference needs to be in ‘book chapter’ format.  For full details on how to make a request for a scan under the Copyright Licensing Agency’s (CLA) licence, please consult the Library Scanning Service for Teaching Staff guide.  If you want all ‘book chapter’ references on your Library List to be in the same format, please follow these steps:

• Add the book to your list as before.
• Click the '...' button next to the title and select  'Edit item'.

• Click on the 'Type' drop-down menu and change it from 'Book' to 'Book Chapter'.

• Enter the chapter details (chapter title and page range, etc.).  If it's an edited book, make sure to get the book editor(s) and chapter author(s) right.
• Click ‘Save’ and check the amended item in your list to ensure it displays as intended.

In this section...

Adding items while browsing in the library catalogue

Adding items while browsing in the library catalogue

• While browsing the catalogue, click on the link to the item.  

• From 'send to' options, select Library List.  You will be prompted to sign in to your university account.

• You will be prompted to add the item to a Collection or List.   
• If you add to a collection, this will hold the item within your Library List profile, and you can add to a Library List at a later time.  This is particularly useful if you would like to add it to multiple Library Lists. 
• If you select List, click on the down arrow and you will see a dropdown list of the Library Lists that you are attached to. 

• Select the Library List that you wish to add to and then select the relevant section. 
• Click Add to a Library List 

In this section...

Adding journal content using Library Search

Creating an item from scratch

Adding journal and web content using the Cite It! widget

Adding journal content using Library Search

You can add a journal article similarly to how you would add a book:

• Click the ‘Add items +’ button to add an item to your list.

• Then choose 'Library Search'.

• In the search window, enter author’s surname and/or title keywords and run the search.  You can also search for a DOI.
• You can refine your search results to show articles only: select ‘Article’ under ‘Resource Type’.
• Click on the article you want to add.
• Select the appropriate 'Section' from the drop-down menu.
• Click 'Add'.
• Alternatively, drag and drop a record from the results list into the relevant section.
• Please consider tagging the item and adding a public note if required.

Note: It is possible that the article you want doesn’t appear in the search results, despite the Library having a subscription to the journal.  This is because not all article titles are indexed in the library catalogue. In that situation, use one of the other two methods listed below.

Creating an item from scratch

You can add journal or web content to your Library List even if you cannot use the Library Search function.

• Click the ‘Add items +’ button to add an item to your list.
• Select 'Blank Form'.

• Under ‘Type’ select the correct item, e.g. article, website.
• Under ‘Source’, paste the URL.
• Enter as many details as possible, (e.g. title, author, journal title, DOI etc.).
• Select the 'Section', then click 'Add'.
• Please consider tagging the item and adding a public note if required.

Adding journal and web content using the Cite It! widget

The Cite It! widget is an easy way to add to your Library List any links to resources you gather while browsing the internet, for example websites, journal articles, videos, etc.

How to install the widget

• Within Library Lists, click on your initials at the top right of the screen.
• Click on Cite It!

For Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox:

• Drag and drop the purple Cite It! button into you bookmarks toolbar.

How to use the widget

• Navigate to the online resource you wish to add to your Library List.
• Click on the Cite It! widget from your bookmark.
• In the pop-up window, select the item 'Type' of resource from the drop-down menu, e.g. article, website.
• Verify that the data entered is correct (title, author, journal title etc.).
• Select the ‘List’ option and type the name of your reading list.
• Select the 'Section'.
• Click ‘Add & Close’.
• Please consider tagging the item and adding a public note if required.

​​​​​​​

Scanning requests

The University subscribes to the Copyright Licensing Agency's (CLA) Higher Education licence.  This grants library staff permission to make digital copies of articles and chapters for embedding into a unit's Library List as long as the material meets the terms of the Licence.  You can use the Library Lists software to make scanning requests.  For full details please consult the Library Scanning Service for Teaching Staff guide. 

Rearranging items

If your Library List items don’t appear in the appropriate order, you can drag and drop them into place.  Hover over the item you wish to move and a blue line will appear on the right-hand side, click here and drag to move the item elsewhere in the list. 

You can also shift items up and down one place at a time using the blue arrow buttons.  Alternatively, you can add one or more items to the clipboard and then go to where you want to move them and paste them back in.  You can also use the 'Add to clipboard' functionality to copy an item into a different section.

Deleting items

Click the ‘…’ button to the right of the item and select ‘Delete item’.

Publishing a Library List

Your list must be ‘Published’ in order for students to view it.

Click the ‘…’ button next to the list title and select ‘Publish’.

Send a list to the Library

When you have finished adding and editing Library List items, you need to send the list to the Library.  This allows the Library to check items on the list and to ensure we have holdings in line with the updated Library List.

Click the ‘Library Review’ button below the reading list title. The first time you publish a Library List it will be sent to the Library automatically, but following any other edits to a list, please use the Library Review button.

Once you have submitted your list for Library Review, library staff will process the list and purchase resources as required. Library staff will update the Library List if necessary. If you have any queries, please contact us providing the unit code.

In this section...

Sharing a list

Linking to a section

Moodle: Adding a link to a Library List section

Sharing a list

Students should access their reading list by clicking on the Library List link in their Moodle unit.  However, teaching staff might want to share the list in other ways, for example to include a link to the list in a unit outline document or to link to a reading list section from a specific Moodle section.  Please see below for several ways to share lists using permalinks.

• Click the ‘…’ button next to the reading list title.
• Select ‘Create a shareable link’, and then ‘To List’.

• Then click 'Copy to clipboard'.
• To create a link to all lists associated with a course, select ‘To Course’.  This link will bring you to a page showing all lists associated with the same unit.
  

Linking to a Section

You can share a section by linking directly to it.  This collapses all other sections in the reading list showing only the one you have chosen.

• Click the ‘…’ button next to the section you want to share.
• Select ‘Create a shareable link'.

• Click 'Copy to clipboard'.
• If you want to add a link to a reading list section in Moodle, follow the instructions below.

Moodle: Adding a link to a Library List section or item

There may be occasions where you want to link to a Library List section or individual item directly from your Moodle page.  For example, if your Library List is very long and your Moodle unit organised in topics/weeks, you might want to break down your list in sections that will replicate the different topics/weeks of your unit.  You may then want to have a ‘required reading’ link from each of your Moodle sections, linking to individual sections of the reading list.  A link to a section has the benefit of only opening up the relevant section and collapsing all the other ones.  Alternatively, you may wish to link directly to an item that is on your list that is a priority for students to read that week. 

Here is how to create a link to a specific section or item.

In Moodle

• Go to the correct Moodle unit and select 'edit mode'.
• Select where you want to add the link to your section.

• Click on  and select the ‘External tool’ option. 
• Give your link a name, e.g. ‘Library List: Topic 5’ or if you are linking to a text, copy in the title here.
• Under ‘Preconfigured tool’, select ‘Library Lists’.
• Click 'Select Content'

• A preview of your Library List will pop up.  You can select individual items or sections to link, by checking the box to the left.
• If you wish to link to a specific section of the list, you may wish to 'toggle' the sections collapsed.  This allows you to just see the titles of the sections

• Select the relevant sections/items and click 'Select'.
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Save and return to course’.