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The evolution and management of reading lists: RGU’s experienceVictoria Farmer and Colin MacLean, RGU
Reading lists and students Feedback, our experience, and student surveys show that
students are frustrated when reading lists:
Contain material not available in the library Only include print books and nothing else List out of date books Provide no context or guidance Have difficult to access material Do not exist for their module
This leads to a poor learning experience for students, problems for staff, and is detrimental to the student’s interaction with the library service.
So what did RGU decide to do? To undertake a pilot to investigate, purchase, and
implement online reading list software which would: Provide more dynamic, interactive and relevant lists. Give more effective provision of online and print
resources. Streamline access to resources. Offer the potential for a common and consistent approach
to reading lists. Improve communication between academic staff and
library staff regarding resource list content and availability.
Introducing Talis AspireAfter investigation and a tender process RGU
decided on:
Its features and benefits would allow us to work towards the outcomes.
Other benefits were that the company was actively developing the product, the support was good, and the community growing.
What can an Aspire reading list do?They allow you to create a list with a full range of
resources e.g. books, journal articles, web pages, journals, databases, documents, and videos.
What can an Aspire reading list do?They link to library material and tell students
immediately about the holdings.
What can an Aspire reading list do?They provide easier access to eBooks with
accurate links and the ability to add access notes.
What can an Aspire reading list do?They provide easier access to journal articles with
a variety of links, SFX, and access notes.
What can an Aspire reading list do? Lists can include importance levels and contextual
notes, and can be organised into topics / sections.
What can an Aspire reading list do?Where available there are links to Amazon and
to the Google Preview of the book.
What can an Aspire reading list do?They can integrate with Moodle.
Implementation of ASPIRE@RGU
ASPIRE@RGU (http://resourcelists.rgu.ac.uk) was successfully set up and was launched on 31 May 2011.
After the first year of use it was decided to continue to subscribe to Talis Aspire, meaning we are now in year 2 of the project.
Day to day management of lists2 - The list is assigned to one of a core team of 5 library staff This is done using a rota systemWhile creating the list the library checks if we have sufficient copies and looks for new editions / eBooks / etc
3 - When complete the list is made available• T
he list is published, attached to the module and the member of staff informed
• Academic and library staff communicate throughout the process as needed
Day to day management of lists This approach was chosen as:
It was felt offering to do the work would elicit more lists It would allow library staff to review the lists and ensure accuracy
in editions, access information etc. Library staff could take on the associated tasks of looking for
online versions, and ensuring the Library had sufficient / up to date stock.
Issues that have arisen from this approach: Time management especially at key times of year Prioritisation of work for library staff The need to manage expectations from academic staff about the
time for list creation How to manage reviews and updates as list numbers grow
Promotion and raising awareness Academic staff were informed about ASPIRE@RGU in
several ways: Presentations at appropriate events, committees and
meetings General presentations set up with all staff invited to attend A dedicated web page was set up Use of the blog, email, twitter etc
Students find out about ASPIRE@RGU: Links in their modules on Moodle Advertising via blog posts, emails, twitter etc The library web pages
Has it been a success? Number of listsOn 15th January 2013 there were 325 lists on
ASPIRE@RGU.
Approx 19% of modules have a list attached.
Aberdeen Business School
Faculty of Design and Technology
Faculty of Health and Social Care
Other0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Has it been a success? User comments What an excellent tool ASPIRE@RGU
is, I find it so useful to have a 'one-stop' shop for bookmarks, module reading lists etc………………………As a
distance learner I think I am going to find this software/tool very useful.
…………………..I ‘launched’ it at my introductory lecture this week. A few
hours later, in a follow-up ‘clinic’, a student came to explain to me and
her fellow students that she found the resource ‘brilliant’. In particular, she liked the access to the e-books…………
I really like what you have done with the list. The section labels are very helpful, and I think will make it easier for students to
find what they are looking for.
The new facility is very useful indeed…….is it possible to compare usage across
different resources made available i.e. use of e-books compared with use of videos
etc. In this way ASPIRE might be able help us develop a more sophisticated appreciation of different learning
styles……..
Has it been a success? Reading lists to resource lists
A major benefit we see for ASPIRE@RGU is the opportunity to expand on what a reading list can be and create better quality lists.
More use of online
resources
Wider range of resources provided
Greater structure e.g. sections,
importance levels, notes
Has it been a success? Wider influence Changes in the budget for 2012/13
Now assigned at Faculty rather than school level. Split into two areas of spending – orders for resource lists and
orders for general collection/research material. This allows increased focus on providing resources on reading
lists. And more flexibility when resourcing new courses.
Driving policy ASPIRE@RGU also ties in with policies such as library’s
resourcing strategy. The main tenets of this are: All reading lists on ASPIRE@RGU. All resources for distance learning students available electronically. Early engagement of academic staff with the library prior to the
development of new courses.
Monitoring usage - Google Analytics Aspire uses Google Analytics to provide statistics Statistics cover areas like:
Visits Unique visitors New and returning visitors Page views Sources i.e. referrals and direct links Locations of visitors Average time on pages Browsers and networks being used
Can create comparisons between time periods Can export statistics to excel
Visitors to the site – 01/06/11 – 15/01/13
124425 visitors to the site
Jun-11Jul-1
1
Aug-11
Sep-11
Oct-11
Nov-11
Dec-11
Jan-12
Feb-12
Mar-12
Apr-12
May-12
Jun-12Jul-1
2
Aug-12
Sep-12
Oct-12
Nov-12
Dec-12
Jan-13
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
16000
18000
20000
Visits / New and returning – 01/12/12 – 31/12/12
Location / Referrals – 01/12/12 – 31/12/12
List usage with comparison – 01/12/12 – 31/12/12 (compared to same period 2011)
Top ten lists – 01/06/11 – 15/01/13
Research Methods BS3184
Finance For Managers BSM017
Health Needs Assessment NU4773
Poverty Inequalities, Vulnerability & Social Exclusion NU4773
Research Methods PH4014
Principles & Concepts of Public Health NU4773
Strategies & Approaches to Community Health NU4773
Learning for Professional Person Centred Care NU1442
Business strategy BS4104
Business Environment BSM029
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500
Monitoring usage - Dashboard feature New feature that sits on the lists themselves and
gives users a easy look at list usage.
What next? Review and development
Potential appointment of a manager for the running of ASPIRE@RGU
Investigation and use of the acquisitions and review features
Involvement of academic staff – potential for library to create the list and then for academics to update
Build on the ability to create better quality lists Need to embed ASPIRE@RGU in all library workflows Monitor and integrate developments of the software Engage with the Talis Aspire community
