Recommended Resource List Structure for 2021/22 onwards
The Library's Resource List Strategy was endorsed by Education Committee in 2020 and following a period of consultation is being rolled out across the University for the 2021/22 academic year. The strategy is underpinned by principles of simplicity, consistency and improving the student experience.
Resource Lists should be structured in the following sections:
It is not necessary for every Resource List to feature every importance.
For examples of Resource Lists in the new structure see:
Resource Lists should be submitted to the Library using our new template.
Once completed the form should be returned to library-requests@bolton.ac.uk. Once received, the Library will check your Resource List for availability.
Essential and Recommended Resources
Where items are listed as Essential or Recommended the Library will seek to provide the text in electronic format. This will either be:
When a Resource List is submitted, the Library will check the availability of the Essential and Recommended titles. If titles are not available electronically, they will contact the relevant staff and ask for a chapter or section to digitise. If an item is to remain as Essential or Recommended this information must be provided, or the title will have to be moved to the Further Resources section.
If all of the requested areas of the text cannot be digitised due to copyright restrictions, an alternative electronic text should be recommended. Alternatively, one key chapter could be digitised and made Essential or Recommended, while other print-only chapters could be listed in the Further Resources section.
The Library will aim to provide access to all Further Resources where possible, in either print or electronic format. It will make use of a range of acquisition formats to provide access to material, while ensuring the best financial return on investment.
Academic staff can support this strategy by:
When completing a module specification, or otherwise reviewing a reading list, the following steps are advised:
Resource Lists Online is the primary vehicle for UoB students to access their reading lists. The Library creates RLO lists based on the recommendations of academic staff, and can also provide training if academics wish to edit and maintain their own lists.
RLO lists are embedded on the relevant Moodle sites, as well as being accessible from the Library website, student portal and MyBolton app.
Although we strive to obtain ebook as first option, sometimes there are limits on what we can purchase due to factors beyond out control. We ask that you please reach out to us when planning any changes to a module resource list, or ahead of programme validation so we can discuss learning resources ahead of each academic year.
There are many aspects to consider:
Another aspect of this can be in relation to publishing work, we do recommended you reach out to us before publishing as we can provide tips on negotiations with publishers to obtain institutional access to a resource. Please email Library@Bolton.ac.uk to discuss with the Academic Liaison Team.
You can find out more about this topic, and sign the campaign at EBookSOS