Resource Lists @ Edinburgh now have a series of short 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
Q. I notice that I often seem to trigger a library review of the list without knowing how that happens. How I can avoid that?
No, when a list is published (or republished) the resource list system (Talis Aspire) will automatically trigger a review of that list. The request to review the list is sent to the Library. The review process helps us check that links to resources are working as expected.
Updating a list
If you have made only minor changes to your list, we will do a quick check to make sure that the links on your list are working. We’ll let you know if we’ve had to amend anything. If your list is reviewed and everything is okay, you won’t hear from us.
New Lists
If a list is being published for the first time (and has not been created by Library staff) we will review the list and create a spreadsheet summarising availability and highlighting any queries about editions or number of copies held by the Library. A copy of the spreadsheet is emailed to the creator of the list and the relevant Academic Support Librarian.
Please be aware that we do not made any changes to the content of your list.
We may clean up metadata and fix broken web addresses where possible, otherwise the purpose of the review is only to check that links are all working, items are held by the Library, and to provide suggestions that may assist both you and your students in using the resource list.
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.
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Stephanie Farley
Library Learning Services Assistant
The content is important, but what about the style and structure? What about length? Can a list be too long? Or too short? In what ways can a resource list interact and engage with students?
A great feature of Resource Lists @ Edinburgh is the flexibility. We have lists created by academics across the University across a wide variety of schools and subjects, each using resource lists in their own specific way.
CertAVP Equine Dentistry by Sharon Boyd at the Royal Dick Veterinary School
Sharon’s list contains just seven items and provides clear instructions on reading expectations for the class. It also advises where to go find additional abstracts and sources. The Vet Schools’ ‘Instructions for using this Reading List’ is extremely useful and has been adapted by Library Learning Services and is used on many of the lists we create for course organisers.
The sources of knowledge: Understanding and analysing research literature by Dr Peter Allison at the School of Education
Featured as one of our ‘Great Lists’ last year, this continues to be an excellent list. What initially caught our attention was Peter’s note at the top of the list encouraging students to contact the course organiser with any materials that may be particularly useful in particular web pages or YouTube clips. These have been collected towards the bottom of the list in the section ‘Useful Websites’ and, by the number of resources in this section, it looks to have been quite successful in promoting self-study and engagement with students.
Peter also uses the list to encourage skill learning. In ‘Session One’ a resource link is provided to the University Library Catalogue and then in the notes students are directed to search for and locate a specific article. Details are also provided on where to find additional guidance via the information skills module in Learn.
Social History 2.2 The Making of the Modern Body – History, Classics, and Archaeology
History reading lists tend to be quite large as the format of their lists are to provide a wide range of options from which students are encouraged to self select and prioritise.
To help make this large volume of reading options easier to navigate, Social History 2.2 has been split into three separate lists. One for Lecture and Tutorial readings (226 items), one for the Essay Title readings (141), and one for the Group Project readings (62 items).
If you would like to create a resource list but are unsure how to best format a list for your course please get in touch, we’re more than happy to sit down with you and come up with a solution together.
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.
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Stephanie Farley
Library Learning Services Assistant
As you enjoy the summer sunshine we at Library Learning Services would just like to remind you of some of the ways we are available to help lecturers and course organisers prepare resource lists for the new academic year.
Did you know that Library Learning Services are able to take your existing Reading List and turn it into a Resource List for you?
If you have a reading list that you would like to see transformed into an interactive online reading list at resourcelists.ed.ac.uk we can do this for you!
Simply send us your list, and the earlier the better.
This service also includes providing a summary of the items on your list, books, journals and articles, with information on how many are held and at what locations. This means you can see in advance where additional materials might need to be ordered or moved into reserved/short loan sections of the library.
If you would like to send us your reading list there are a few important pieces of information that will help us provide you with the best possible service:
Required information for Resource List creation (PDF)
If you prefer to create your own resource list we have guides and example lists to help!
Creating a resource list is a fairly simple process
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. The guides are available on our Resource Lists @ Edinburgh using Talis Aspire webpage and also on our blog User Guides page.
Example lists are provided for you at Resource Lists – Library Guides on the use of sections, notes, fields, and general good practice to demonstrate the variety of resources and formats available. Note: if you haven’t done so already, you will be prompted to log in to EASE.
Prefer assistance that is more hands-on? Try one of our hands-on sessions this July.
The sessions are designed to introduce a new users to Resource Lists, to become familiar with the system and feel confident creating and editing lists. All sessions are bookable via MyEd.
The sessions are open to all Course Organisers, Programme Directors, College/School IT staff or Admin staff and Library staff who may create lists on behalf of others.
Dates/Times/Venue
Tue 22nd July 2014: 10am-12noon, Main Library, George Square, Training Rm 1.12
Wed 30th July 2014: 2-4pm, Main Library, George Square, Training Rm 1.08
Before you attend
When you register for the session, you will be sent an email inviting you to register to use Talis Aspire. Please follow the link in the email to accept the invitation. This will give you access to the Resource List system.
If you can’t make these dates
If you are interested in Resource Lists @ Edinburgh but can’t attend on these dates, please get in touch. We are happy to arrange alternative training sessions for individuals or small groups.
More information is available on the Resource Lists using Talis Aspire webpage and the ResourceLists@Edinburgh Blog.
Stephanie Farley
Library Learning Services Assistant