Reading and resource list policy

The University of Dundee introduced Reading List Management software in 2014, to improve the student experience and learning opportunities by providing lecturers with tools to create flexible, accessible, and multimedia resource lists. This policy sets out the principles and good practice for the creation, maintenance, and use of reading & resource lists. It also details the roles and responsibilities of academic staff, students, and library staff in implementing this policy.

1. Purpose and Scope

   • Enhance student learning by providing access to reading materials and other resources
   • Ensure that purchasing and supply of Library resources is cost-effective and that resources are available in a suitable format, at the right time and in sufficient numbers to meet the learning and teaching objectives of the modules
   • Ensure compliance with Copyright law and the terms of the Copyright licensing Agency agreement in the re-use of published material
   • Support diverse resources: Library staff can assist academic staff to include resources from a range of suppliers and publishers, to help ensure inclusivity and a diversity of viewpoints. Guidance is available in the Reading list guide
   • Ensure successful management of Reading lists through a collaboration between academic module leaders and the University Library
   • The scope of the Policy
   • This Policy applies to all Schools and the taught programmes and modules for which they are responsible
   • Generally, every module of study should be supported by a clearly defined reading list

2. General Principles

   The University of Dundee uses the Leganto Reading List management system to provide an efficient way for academic staff to compile and publish reading lists for students. 

   • Reading lists will be created by module leaders or other academic staff using the institutional Leganto reading list system
   • Reading lists will be available within MyDundee modules, and from the Library website
   • Links to print and electronic books and journals should be made through the Library Search service, unless openly available online (i.e. not behind a paywall)
   • The Library operates an e-first approach and will provide content in online format, where available and affordable
   • Print books will be purchased where e-books are not available, or where the licencing model proves unsustainable or unaffordable
   • Reading lists will be assigned to an academic year, and rolled over in an automated process to the following academic year, normally during the summer period (for Semester 1 and full year modules), and later in the calendar year for the following Semester 2 and 3 modules

3. Creation and Submission of Reading and Resource lists

   Module leaders and academic staff will:

   • Create and update their reading lists using the Leganto reading list management software and ensure that lists are available for students in advance of the start of the module. Guidance on dates will be provided to the Schools in advance of the main Semesters
   • Ensure their reading lists are ready in good time, to allow for any purchasing or digitisation to take place in advance of the start of the module
   • Attend Leganto training or consult the training documentation included in the Reading list guide
   • Ensure reading associated with their module contains material which is easily accessible to all students and appropriate to the level of study. The Library can provide guidance regarding requirements on accessible formats for students with qualifying disabilities
   • Aim to provide appropriate signposting in lists, so that students understand what is expected of them week by week
   • Aim to select material that is available digitally as far as possible. These can include e-journal articles, e-books, audio-visual sources such as the Box of Broadcasts and authoritative internet sources. Where materials are not available in online format, a digitisation request can be made for one chapter or 10% of the hard-copy book (whichever is greater). Similarly, if a journal article is not covered by the Library subscriptions, a digitisation request can be made for up to two articles per journal issue. Digitisations will be supplied subject to licence and copyright restrictions
   • Ensure that no materials which breach copyright are added to the Reading lists. Typically, these might include PDF files or self-scanned materials. Library staff will normally remove these files, and seek to replace them with legitimately obtained digitisations, or links to subscribed content
   • Ensure that Reading lists are realistic in terms of how much students can read and what the Library can supply. The number of resources will vary by academic discipline and module needs, but as general guidance, it is recommended that a reading list covering a semester of teaching should not exceed 180 items
   • Ensure that all items are relevant and up to date. The latest editions will be supplied unless there are pedagogical reasons for using older editions (in which case this should be made explicit to students and to the Library)
   • Support diverse resources: academic staff should aim to include a range of perspectives, to ensure inclusivity and a diversity of viewpoints. Guidance is available in the Reading list guide
   • Identify or tag items on reading lists into one of the following importance categories. These categories help students to organise their reading and assists the Library in making purchasing decisions
   • Recommended for Student Purchase (usually textbooks which will be heavily used throughout the module, and which students are strongly encouraged to purchase)
     • Essential (core texts that every student must access). As a guideline, a maximum of 10 items should be listed in this category
     • Further reading (defined as supplemental reading around the subject to further or deepen understanding)

   The Library will aim to provide online access to Essential items, if available and within budget. Otherwise, print copies will be purchased, to cover demand across modules, and copies may be placed in the Main library Short loan collection to ensure quick borrowing turnover. Other possibilities include the digitisation of a key chapter from a print resource, or the provision of a copyright cleared journal article where an online subscription is not held

   The Library will aim to provide online access to Further reading items, or if unavailable, a single print copy will be purchased

   • Module leaders can use the Analytics feature on their reading list to monitor the number of clicks on individual items during the academic year. More detailed reports can be requested from the Library, covering Reading list statistics at School or subject level. Contact the Library for details

   Library staff will:

   • Manage the Reading lists service
   • Provide training and support for academic colleagues in the creation and editing of Reading lists
   • Purchase or license the materials listed, subject to budget constraints and copyright considerations
   • Will select the most appropriate formats for purchase in line with budgetary, tendering and consortium restrictions
   • Library staff will assess demand for book provision across modules and purchase accordingly. Titles in high demand may be purchased in multiple copies, and key textbooks may be placed in the Main Library Short Loan collection, or on a limited issue period
   • be responsible for managing the overall budget available for e-textbooks, learning packages, books, and other academic learning resources within the Library
   • Advise on copyright clearance and document digitisation
   • Inform module leaders if resources cannot be sourced
   • Review, check availability of resources, and make content available in the lists
   • Monitor usage and purchase extra copies as required, subject to budget
   • Provide analytics on the usage of reading list resources to module leaders on request (noting that the in-list software allows for a range of reporting by academic staff)
   • Library staff will ensure that Reading lists comply with current copyright laws

   Students are advised to:

   • Look at how the Reading list has been structured, and read any guidance provided on requirements (for example, weekly readings)
   • Plan well in advance if required to read books which are only available in print format, or have restricted online access
   • Report any problems with access to e-resources or availability of print items to the Library. Students should provide their University of Dundee email, module code and title and details of the problem
   • Follow borrowing guidelines and treat physical resources with care
   • Place a request for any required print book where all copies are on issue to others. This alerts Library staff that copies are in demand, and may prompt additional purchases
   • Note that many key titles are held in the Main library Short Loan collection. These issue for 1 day, and allow for fast turnover

4. Updating and Review of Reading Lists

   • Module leaders are expected to update Reading lists regularly (usually annually) to reflect new scholarship or changes in module content
   • The effectiveness of the Reading & Resource list policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Library Service

5. Acknowledgements

   Acknowledgement is given to the Universities of Aberystwyth, Brunel, Manchester and Westminster, whose published reading list policies have contributed to the creation of this document.

Appendix 1: Annual reading & resource list timetable of events and actions

Appendix 2: Useful contact details and links

• Reading & Resource list guide
• Jisc briefing for academic staff on cost, affordability and availability of core reading materials