Category Archives: Research & Learning Services

Add books not held by the Library to your Resource List

If the Library doesn’t hold a book that you’d like to add to your list, this shouldn’t stop you adding it anyway – in fact, one of the reasons we’re using Resource Lists is to inform our course materials purchasing decisions, so it’s important that you flag it up to us.

Bookmarking a book not held in the Library’s collections

When you’re unable to find a book in DiscoverEd, we’d recommend you carry out the following steps:

  1. Find the book on another website, such as Amazon or the NLS;
  2. ‘Bookmark’ the book from this page (consult our guidance on bookmarking to find out how to do this – Add Bookmarks);
  3. Check that the bibliographic details are as complete as possible (also remember to remove any URL to Amazon) – you can add more using the drop down list at the bottom of the screen;
  4. Add the reading to your list;
  5. Send your list in for a Library review.

Submit your list for a ‘review’

This final point is particularly important: unless you submit your resource list for a ‘review’, the Library won’t see your list and won’t be able to act. Whenever you would like the Library to check or act on items on your list, send it for a review.

Request a Library review of your list

If you have any questions about this, or about Resource Lists in general, please email Library.Learning@ed.ac.uk

Resource Lists Service Statement revised: 10 things you need to know

Making the Library easier
Using Resource Lists Academic teaching staff can avoid filling out multiple forms by sending a reading list and completed coversheet to Libraray.Learning@ed.ac.uk . Provided all the information we need is included, the Library will process E-reserve, print reserve requests and purchase course reading based on a set of ratios.

Resource Lists Service Statement revised
To make this work we’ve had to look closely at our existing library workflows and figure out how we can integrate the work of several different library teams and make sure our colleagues across all the sites know what to expect from Resource Lists.

The Resource List Service Statement provides the detail (and Librarian’s love detail!) that explains who will do what to make sure the Library delivers on the course materials students need. It also explains how we’ll manage exceptions to the rules.

Don’t let the 13 pages put you off reading it. If you want a comprehensive overview of how we’re managing Resource Lists this year, this document is for you! Resource List Service Statement v2 (PDF) If not, you’ll find all the essential information our webpages:http://edin.ac/resource-lists

Resource List Service Statement: 10 things you need to know Continue reading →

Publishing your Semester 1 Resource List

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoSemester 1 resource lists should be published before 7th August 2015 deadline to allow sufficient time for the Library to review the list and process any requests for scans and/or book orders.

More information on creating your own list and how to ensure you provide the right information for the Library to process your requests can be found on the Resource List created by Course Organiser web page.

If you published a list in 2014/15, you can use it again for 2015/16. To update and publish your list for 2015/16, follow the steps below.

Sign in to Resource Lists @ Edinburgh and go to ‘My Lists’.

  1. Click on the 2014/15 list. There will be a pale blue note at the top of the list saying ‘A newer version of this list exists in draft form. Click here to review’.
  2. Click through to view the new 2015/16 draft list. Click on the ‘Add to my Lists’ button on the top right of the screen.
  3. You should now see a new 2015/16 version of your list in ‘My Lists’
  4. The list will remain in draft until you decide to publish it.

Course Organisers are encouraged to review and revise their lists before publishing for the new academic year. There is a short PDF guide on how to review and revise your list(s), including information about book recommendations and E-reserve requests.

How to review and re-publish a resource list for a new academic year

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage  and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

Follow @ResourceListsEd

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Create your own Resource List

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoResource Lists @ Edinburgh uses Talis Aspire to create and manage online reading lists.

Create your resource list using Talis Aspire, include the additional information requested by the Library and publish your list by *7th August*. The Library will then review your list and process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations.

In order to be able to create and edit lists on Resource Lists @ Edinburgh you will first need to request List Creator access to the service. You can do this by emailing IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk.

Great, so how do I create a list?

A good introduction to using Resource Lists @ Edinburgh is to work through the tasks provided in our guide:

Hands-on Workshop Tasks

We have created a detailed user guide to help you get started and a series of shorter guides that focus in on; specific tasks within Resource Lists, functions available within Resource Lists, tips, tricks, and handy information.

User Guides

Resource Lists @ Edinburgh video tutorials!

Taking on board feedback received at workshops, demonstrations, one on one catchups, and email correspondence, we have attempted to address some of the most frequent questions we receive by creating these short videos.

Four videos have been created including:

– How to install the bookmarklet tool in Internet Explorer

– How to install the bookmarklet tool in Firefox

– How to create and add bookmarks to your Resource List

– How to Edit and Publish your Resource List

Our Library Learning Services team are also happy to come out to Schools to do group demonstrations or one to ones. If you’re interested in this please email IS.Helpline @ ed.ac.uk

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Learn how to use Resource Lists in your own time

Univeristy of Ediburgh Logo

 

During our workshops we run through a series of tasks to familiarise attendees with creating, editing, and managing resource lists.

If you are unable to attend one of our sessions, or just prefer to work through at your own pace, this is a good way to familiarise yourself with Resource Lists @ Edinburgh.

Hands-on Workshop Tasks

In order to be able to create and edit lists on Resource Lists @ Edinburgh you will first need to request List Creator access to the service. You can do this by emailing IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk.

Our Library Learning Services team are also happy to come out to Schools to do group demonstrations or one to ones. If you’re interested in this please email IS.Helpline @ ed.ac.uk

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Submit your Resource List by 5pm TODAY and we will create it for you

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoRemember, if you submit your reading list to our Library Learning Services team by 5pm today we will guarantee creation of your resource list ready for Semester 1.

This service also includes processing any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations  included in your list.

Once the list has been created it will be handed back over to you for checking, publication, and promotion to your students.

To submit your list please send us your clearly annotated list with the coversheet found on the page linked below.

Information on submitting your Resource List(s) for Library creation (and cover sheet)

If you are unable to meet today’s deadline remember there is also the option to create the resource list yourself using Talis Aspire, include the additional information requested by the Library and publish your list by *7th August*. The Library will then review your list and process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations.

 

Existing Talis Aspire users are asked to review and republish their lists by *7th August* and to use ‘Note for Library’ on Talis Aspire to provide the additional information required by the Library. The Library will then review your list and process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations.

Information on creating and publishing your own list by 7th August

NB: The above deadlines are for Semester One resource lists. We will circulate further deadlines for Semester two in due course.

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Resource List Workshops

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoInterested in using Resource Lists @ Edinburgh for your course but a little unsure how to go about it. Or would you like to learn how to create lists yourself?  Come along to one of our demonstrations and workshops to hear more about how our service can work for you and have a go at using the system for yourself.

Two events are currently bookable this July via MyEd:

Wed 8th July 10-12pm, Main Library, Room 1.12

Thurs 9th July 2-4pm Main Library, Room 1.08

Sessions will include a brief overview of Resource Lists using Talis Aspire followed by a hands-on workshop. Attendees will be able to start creating their own Resource Lists and have the opportunity to find out more about managing lists using Talis Aspire.

Talis Aspire is a reading list system which allows course organisers to easily create, publish and maintain online reading lists. The system is currently used by approximately 60 HE institutions in the UK.

Any resource with a URL (web address) can be added to a list, including, books, e-books, book chapters, journal articles and videos. Course organisers can assign priority to list items (Essential, Recommended or Further reading) and add notes for students. Statistical data on list usage is also available to course organisers.

Our Library Learning Services team are also happy to come out to Schools to do group demonstrations or one to ones. If you’re interested in this please email IS.Helpline @ ed.ac.uk

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Send us your Reading / Resource Lists

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoThe College of Humanities and Social Science is funding two student interns to work on uploading resource lists to Talis Aspire over the summer, so we are keen to have as many reading lists as possible submitted for them to work on.

There are two options for ALL Course Organisers creating NEW resource lists for session 2015/16

Option 1. Create the resource list yourself using Talis Aspire, include the additional information requested by the Library and publish your list by *7th August*. The Library will then review your list and process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations.

Option 2. Send your reading lists to the Library by *13th July*, provide the additional information requested, and the Library will process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations and hand the list back over to you for publication.

Existing Talis Aspire users are asked to review and republish their lists by *7th August* and to use ‘Note for Library’ on Talis Aspire to provide the additional information required by the Library. The Library will then review your list and process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations.

NB: The above deadlines are for Semester One resource lists. We will circulate further deadlines for Semester two in due course.

Guidance on how to manage new and existing resource lists (using Talis Aspire) and the information required by the Library to process any e-reserve requests, course (print) reserve and book recommendations is provided on the website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/information-services/research-teaching-staff/resource-lists/using-resource-lists/overview

Due to demand we’ve scheduled a further two introductory Resource Lists (using Talis Aspire) workshops for academic staff this July.

The events are bookable via MyEd:

Wed 8th July 10-12pm ML 1.12: https://www.events.ed.ac.uk/index.cfm?event=book&scheduleID=15164

Thurs 9th July 2-4pm ML 1.08 : https://www.events.ed.ac.uk/index.cfm?event=book&scheduleID=15165

If you have any questions please get in touch: Library.Learning@ed.ac.uk

More information on how to make the most of Resource Lists can be found on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Resource List Survey Feedback

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoLibrary Learning services ran a survey from March 30th – April 24th asking registered Talis Aspire users for feedback on our Resource Lists @ Edinburgh service. We had some great responses and would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experience with us.

You said

The top perceived benefits of the service are that it:

  • makes it easier for students to access core materials
  • improves student experience
  • is easy to update and manage reading lists

You also told us that you liked the “open access, allowing other institutions and/or pre-arrival students to gain an understanding of the core readings in particular programmes or courses”.

List Promotion

The most popular means of list promotion was the Resource List tool on Learn. Other popular means included promoting the resource list(s) in lectures and seminars, and including a reference to the list in the course handbook.

Additional tools you’ve been using to promote lists to students included:

  • posting the link up on a private Facebook group for their course,
  • emailing the link out to students prior to the start of the course,
  • and placing it on the new course descriptors on EUCLID instead of the previous list of readings.

We asked: ‘Do you expect ALL of the items on your resource list to be made available by the Library, either online or in print?’

Your response to this was mostly affirmative with course organisers expecting if not all the materials to be made available, then the majority or at least the essential/key items. We are very glad that this is something we should now be able to provide via the Beta service in 15/16. (More information on this new service can be found on our website)

 Continued Support / More demonstrations

You thought we could perhaps provide more demonstrations and continued support.

Over the summer period we are running a targeted series of workshops and demonstrations, both out at Schools when requested by departments, and also in at the Main Library for interested individuals.

The next two events are now bookable via MyEd:

Wed 8th July 10-12pm, Main Library, Room 1.12

Thurs 9th July 2-4pm Main Library, Room 1.08

We’re also looking into the possibility of running short webinars for course organisers unable to attend face-to-face workshops.

Our Library Learning Services team provides support via email, phone, and in-person year-round for Resource Lists @ Edinburgh. Additionally if you or anyone in your department would like to arrange a one-to-one or school workshop session/demonstration, please contact us via IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk

Guides

A few of you were unaware of where to find our user guides, and some suggested that we could provide additional guidance in particular areas.

We have contacted those of you who were unaware of our guidance materials which include our web page, blog, PDF guides, and video tutorials.

We have also created some additional guidance to fill the gaps that were highlighted. In particular,  Sharing Editing Rights with a Colleague (PDF) and Bookmarking a Chapter or Part (PDF).

Our web pages and user guides are regularly updated and we encourage course organisers, students, or anyone using the service to contact us and advise if there is something we have overlooked or could improve.

Interface and Usability

A few of you had suggestions around the interface, presentation, and usability of Talis Aspire. One of the reasons we have been enjoying working with Talis Aspire to provide the Resource List service is that they are continuing to develop and improve the platform and encourage feedback and suggestions from us their customers. We forward on all suggestions for improvement or requests for new features in the system to the Talis development team.

If you have any additional comments or ideas as to how you feel the service could be improved, please drop us a line via IS.Helpline@ed.ac.uk

//

Stephanie Farley

Library Learning Services Assistant

Additional Workshops – Resource Lists @ Edinburgh (using Talis Aspire)

Univeristy of Ediburgh LogoDue to demand we’ve scheduled a further two introductory Resource Lists (using Talis Aspire) workshops for academic staff.

The events are bookable via MyEd:

Wed 8th July 10-12pm, Main Library, Room 1.12

Thurs 9th July 2-4pm Main Library, Room 1.08

Continue reading →