Why Reading Lists Matter
Reading Lists provide students with structured, equitable access to essential learning resources in one place.
When well-designed, they:
- Support positive learning outcomes and student success
- Remove financial barriers by using free, digital-first resources
- Ensure copyright compliance and accessibility
- Align with subject workload for meaningful engagement
- Reading Lists are a shared endeavour between academic staff and the Library, combining pedagogical insight with resource expertise to create effective, curriculum-aligned learning experiences.
Effective Reading Lists are accessible, current, relevant, copyright-compliant, sustainable, and free for students.
Every item on a Reading List is essential to student learning and directly supports subject learning outcomes.
When creating your Reading List:
- Focus on essentials – Include only resources students must engage with for learning outcomes.
- Keep workload reasonable – Aim for readings within 20–50% of the total learning effort.
- Ensure easy access – Use Library-licensed digital resources or open access materials without barriers.
- Stay copyright compliant – The Library checks compliance for you.
- Keep it current – Review and update lists regularly based on engagement data.
- Work collaboratively – Partner with your Learning Partnership Librarian for resource expertise and support.
Reading Lists are a shared endeavour between academic staff and the Library. This partnership ensures:
- Pedagogical alignment – Academic staff bring subject expertise to select resources that directly support learning outcomes.
- Resource expertise – The Library ensures resources are accessible, copyright-compliant, and available in digital-first formats.
- Student success focus – Together, we create lists that are essential, equitable, and sustainable.
- Your Learning Partnerships Librarian is your key partner in:
- Identifying zero-cost alternatives
- Navigating licensing and copyright
- Reviewing engagement reports to improve future lists
From 2026, the Library is transitioning to 100% digital-first Reading Lists. However, we recognise that some resources may not be available electronically and there is no digital alternative.
Our Librarians will work with you to:
- Identify digital alternatives wherever possible
- Suggest open access or licensed options
- Explore different formats to ensure equitable access
If no digital alternative exists, the Library will provide short loan access for the physical item within the main collection. This ensures students can still access essential resources without maintaining separate Reserve Collections.
To ensure your Reading List is ready for students and all resources are available:
- New Reading Lists – Submit at least 6 weeks before your teaching session starts. This allows time for checking copyright and licensing requirements, sourcing new items (especially electronic versions), and publishing the list in Ultra.
- Existing (Rolled Over) Reading Lists – Submit updates at least 4 weeks before your teaching session starts. This ensures items are reviewed for currency and accessibility, and any new resources can be processed and added promptly.
Reading Lists help ensure:
- Compliance with copyright legislation and licensing agreements
- Legal use of digitised content under the statutory licence (e.g., up to 10% or one chapter)
The Library navigates copyright on your behalf and ensures all resources meet legal and licensing standards. If you need assistance you can contact the Copyright Officer for advice.