Reading resources guidance

Library and Learning Services provides reading resources guidance to make sure we have a consistent approach to recommending student reading, taking account of student needs, and managing expectations.

The key outcome from the guidance is to enable students to have equitable access to relevant essential reading.

The aims of our reading resource guidance are to:

• Standardise reading lists at Module Specification level.
• Ensure clarity for students.
• Set realistic expectations in the provision of resources.
• Provide defined categories for annotating lists, linking these to appropriate resource delivery and fulfilment.
• Highlight the importance of embedding Information Literacy teaching to enable students to locate, evaluate and communicate information for high quality sources.

For more information on reading resources for your modules, contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Reading lists

Reading lists are often seen as an integral part of teaching and learning activity. To make reading lists a more effective tool for students to use in engaging in their learning we recommend using annotation. This helps each student understand why they have been asked to read something and to prioritise their reading.

Please note, we are using the word 'reading', but the key principles apply to a range of resources including multimedia resources.

Annotation also allows Library and Learning Services to plan and deliver resources efficiently and effectively. We recommend the following annotations as a minimum.

Set text

To include the phrase: All students are expected to purchase this text.

A title or resource that students are expected to purchase due to the extensive nature of resource use. This resource may include required reading or use for all or most weeks of the module.

It is envisaged that the same set text may be appropriate for several modules so that students may be expected to buy perhaps 1 or 2 set texts per academic year.

Library and Learning Services will purchase limited copies of set texts to facilitate the Accessibility Scanning Service.

Essential reading

Reading that is expected or required of all students but is limited to a section of a resource or is required for a limited amount of time. Items listed within essential reading can be selected from the extensive collections provided by the Library. Where a title or resource is not already available it will be purchased by Library and Learning Services. Your Academic Liaison Librarian will be able to advise on the appropriate ratios of students per copy dependent on the specific contexts for that resource. This context will determine the number of copies purchased.

As far as possible these resources will be purchased or made available in electronic format to offer equitable access to all students, examples include:

• Links to ebooks or electronic journals held by Library and Learning Services
• Scans of digitised book chapters and journal articles
• Websites, where appropriate
• Other digital content such as Box of Broadcasts or full text online resources

Further reading

Reading that is desirable in that it expands knowledge or understanding of a subject. This reading is optional for students and provides them with a list of items to choose from if they wish to extend their understanding.

Items listed within further reading may be chosen from the extensive collections provided by the Library, preferably in electronic format. Where further reading resources are not already held by the Library they may be purchased in single copies by Library and Learning Services, dependent on budget.

These annotations have been set for you to use in the reading list system. To use the system please contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.