Our Readings & Resources Lists service provides students easy access to the prescribed, essential and additional resources in one easy place via the Readings & Resources tab in vUWS sites.

Our Library Readings system provides students easy access to the readings they need to succeed  in one easy place via the link in vUWS sites.

Subject Outlines submitted via the CMP no longer include reading list information. All Reading lists must now be sent to the Library using the Submit a New Reading List for Library Review form. Please note: the WesternNow form is currently being updated, but it is the correct form to use.

A Readings & Resources List will be created in your subject’s vUWS site. This will contain direct links to the electronic resources themselves or to the Library catalogue for items held in print. If we don’t hold the item we will buy it, with electronic access as a priority as per the Library Collection Development Policy. You should allow 6-8 weeks on average for new items to be received. See the Timeframes below.

Zero-cost Library Readings

To support student success, the Library encourages the use of resources that will not require students to purchase them. These include open access materials, licensed digital content, and other resources that are freely available to students.

If you need help identifying suitable  resources, your School Librarian can assist you in finding alternatives that minimise costs.

Choosing e-Books for Reading Lists

Publishers provide various licensing models for e-books. To help you navigate these options, we've created a guide on Choosing e-Books for Reading Lists, which aims to minimise costs for students around curriculum material.

Open Education Resources (OER)

Open texts and resources are an excellent option as they offer unlimited user access so lots of people can use them at the same time. They also have the added advantage of a Creative Commons licence that may allow you to tailor their content to best suit your students’ needs.

Good places to start are:

• Pressbooks Directory
• CAUL OER Collective Catalogue
• Open access finder tools
• Western Open Books for WSU publications

Reserve Collection

Our students value the flexibility of accessing course materials anytime and anywhere. As a multi-campus environment, linking to electronic and digital formats for prescribed and essential texts in Readings & Resources Lists is our priority.

Not all course materials are available electronically so each University campus library maintains a limited Reserve Collection. This collection includes physical items, such as books with no digital equivalent. Under exceptional circumstances, personal copies of academic work could be included.

Contact your School Librarian to help you identify digital alternatives to print resources.

Timeframes