To set up your Reading List, log into Blackboard and then access the relevant module. On the left hand side menu on your module VLE page, navigate down to the ‘Books & Tools’ section and then click on the ‘view course & institution tools’ link. A menu will appear on the right hand side of the page, click on the plus (+) sign next to the Reading lists box.

Tip: If you can’t see Reading Lists, either use the FAQs for instructions on how to add Reading Lists to the VLE or send us an email and we will do this for you.

If you’re starting from scratch or making major changes, you can send your list to us and we will set it up. The information below will help you with selecting resources, how we provide resources (e.g. digitised readings) and information about the tags you will need to use.

Before adding items to your list, you should set up sections in the list. There is a default setting and a weekly structure setting, in which you can choose from. The default option gives you a blank list and you can see this as a preview on the page. If you do choose this option you can still add sections yourself using the ‘add’ button and navigating down to ‘New section’ on the drop down menu. The ‘week’ section setting gives you the option to enter the number of ‘week’ sections you want on your list, as you change the number of ‘week’ sections it gives you a preview of how the list will look. 

A lot of students we have spoken to say that they find the weekly list structure helpful in prioritising the reading they need to do across all of their modules each week. Whether you use the weekly template or create your own,each section needs to have a title and there is the option to add a description. 

Once you have created sections, you are ready to add items to the list. You can continue to edit section titles and move them around as needed.

There are different ways to add items into your reading list depending on how you prefer to work. 

• Add an item that is already available in the Library 

You can add items straight from Yorsearch or from within your list. This includes both books and journal articles. If you know that what you want is in the Library then this is the easiest option to use. 

• Add an item that isn't in YorSearch and needs to be purchased

Use the Cite it! Bookmarking tool to gather items whilst searching the Internet e.g. online videos or useful web pages. We recommend you use a site like amazon.co.uk to add details of books that we don't already have; we don't purchase the books from there but the bookmarking tool can extract the bibliographic information needed. Remember to add an importance-level tag so we know how many copies we need to purchase (see step 4).

• Import lists from reference managers

Use the FAQs to learn how to import references from EndNote, Paperpile and other reference managers.

Tip: It is also important to think about how your students will access the reading for your module. See our full handout for tips on selecting resources to use in your Reading Lists.

Once items have been added to a list, you need to add tags to each item. There are two types of tags: importance-level tags that are visible to everyone, including students; and tags which are only visible to Library staff.

Importance-level tags help students manage their workload and it also informs the Library about how many copies to purchase.  

“The grouping of reading into "essential" and "recommended" allows me to develop my understanding when necessary, whilst still managing my workload” — English student

There are three tags you can use:

• Essential - students must read this. The Library will meet demand using a range of options, including print and electronic copies, digitisation and ‘Use in Library Only’ copies.
• Recommended - all students are advised to read this. It is expected that students will read at least some material from this category. We will purchase at least one copy of these titles.
• Background - students may choose to read this. We may not automatically purchase background items, but we will add items to stock based on student demand.

Tags only visible to the Library are for requesting scanning for both the Digitisation Service and for requesting reading in an accessible format:

• The Digitisation Service can provide high-quality copyright-cleared scans of reading needed for your course e.g. a book chapter or journal article. This is particularly useful for helping students get access to reading that is in high-demand.
• Our Alternative Format Request (SSP) tag is for students with a print impairment disclosed in their student support plan who need course materials providing in an alternative format. Furthermore, there are lots of different ways that we can help students and staff with disabilities use the Library and we’re always happy to discuss this with people so please get in touch.

Reading Lists allows you to annotate both sections and individual items.

• Public notes can be viewed by anyone and display when you expand the citation or click through to see the full details of a citation, under the Item Actions tab. This is useful for providing guidance to students about why you have recommended items.
• Private notes can only be viewed by yourself.
• Library discussion can be used to send comments on an item to Library staff.

Finally, you need to publish your list so that it is visible to students. You can do this by clicking the ‘My list is ready’ button at the top of the list. 

Tip: You don’t need to worry about telling the library as well. We run reports every night to pick up new items and updated Reading Lists so we can order your items and organise digitisation. 

You can also unpublish your list if you no longer want it to be visible to students. To unpublish, click the menu button at the top next to the title of your reading list and select ‘Unpublish list’ from the drop down menu.

• I don't have a module site in the VLE. What should I do?
• When I make a new list, is it visible to students straight away?
• What is the Cite it! tool and how do I access it?
• How do I move a section in my Reading List?
• Can I hide items from student view?
• If I don't tag an item on a list, what happens?

See more FAQs on the FAQs page of this guide.