Between April and July 2025, Library staff explored staff and student experiences with the Online Reading List system to better understand what’s working well and what could be improved. The insights obtained, via online surveys, focus groups, UX techniques and 1-1 interviews will help shape how we support and develop the system going forward. On these pages you'll find advice on best practice, summaries of student feedback and links to training and guides.
All modules are different and our Online Reading List system (Talis) is flexible and can fit the structure of your teaching. Talis has several features which can be used to transform a reading list from a list of books into a high quality teaching resource. Consider the following:
Guidance: Add clear notes: e.g. what chapters to read, indicate whether something is essential or recommended reading, and mention links to assignments.
Consistency: Promote standard practices across modules to reduce confusion.
Promotion: Reinforce Online Reading List usage throughout modules. Consider using the 'Online Customisable Reading List' option in MyBeckett, to add links to the whole list, or parts of a list, anywhere in your module.
Currency: Ensure materials are up-to-date and link accurately.
Variety: Aim to have a range of resources. Lists can contain websites, videos, databases and journal articles as well as books.
Engaging: Use notes as a teaching and learning tool. Ask students questions that encourage them to engage with the reading and encourage critical thinking and reflection.
Encouragement: Share good practice with colleagues and spread the word about where and how to get help.
By putting items on your Online Reading List, you can avoid missing resources, fix broken links and ensure new editions are available. We service these lists for you, whenever you ask us to, by pressing the "publish" button.
Lists don’t need to be perfect. Send to review (by pressing the "publish" button) and we can tidy records, check for new editions etc.
We can support you in how to structure and organise content and embedding your Online Reading Lists.
Items must be on your Online Reading List to support students who require texts in alternative formats.
If you can’t find what you want adding to your list – ask us! ReadingLists@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
The Library can provide training of varying lengths, 1-1, groups, MS Teams, School meetings etc. Ask your Academic Librarian team.
Find out how to create your Online Reading Lists by viewing the Reading List System instructions. You can also obtain copyright advice and have material digitised for your modules from the University’s Copyright and Digitisation Service.
The Library published a student blog on 10th September, entitled '5 Ways your Online Reading List can Help You Work Smarter, not Harder'.
Skills for Learning podcast episodes are published regularly and cover a broad range of academic skills topics. The latest in the series looks at how using Online Reading Lists can help students develop important skills.
