X Close

ReadingLists@UCL

Home

Menu

Archive for January, 2016

A librarian asks: which books are not in the library?

By Sandra Bamborough, on 25 January 2016

We were recently asked by a librarian if there was any way to see which books on a reading list did not link out to the book in the library catalogue, Explore?  Librarians check through newly updated reading lists to ensure books and other resources have been purchased, where possible.  Once purchased, librarians can also update the reading list to link to the available book or journal.

 

csvTo answer the librarian: there is a way to check this!  You can ‘export’ a reading list into a spreadsheet (CSV) format.

Sort by ‘Type’ to view all ‘Books’ and if the ‘Local Control Number’ field is blank there is no link to Explore. Either UCL doesn’t hold the resource, or the academic didn’t make a link to it.

This can also be useful for those librarians who are updating lists, or who have inherited one and want to check whether you need to link any items to the catalogue to make them more readily accessible for students.

Of course, you can also ask our team to do the checking for you, by publishing the reading list and clicking on the ‘Request review’ button. TLSS will check through and link to books or journals where possible, or update unstable links to e-books or e-journal articles.

Ziggy Stardust’s reading list

By Hazel M Ingrey, on 14 January 2016

As Term 2 begins, comfort yourself: even glam rock stars have reading lists.

A list of David Bowie’s top 100 books was published on his website in 2013. His reading list is heavy on 20th centry classics, from Capote’s ‘In cold blood’ to Stoppard, but also has a nod to the ancient (Dante and Homer) and the mystic, with Levi’s ‘Transcendental Magic’.  That last one isn’t held in UCL library, but many of the others are: take a look and enjoy reading the literature that helped shape this artist.

You can contribute your views on Bowie’s book choices using the Twitter hashtag #bowiebookclub – or, of course, set up your own reading list to inspire your students!

 

How do I add a Lynda.com course to my Reading List?

By Sandra Bamborough, on 11 January 2016

Lynda offers a huge range of video tutorials supporting learning in software, creative and business skills – all free to UCL staff and currently enrolled students.

 

Lynda 5

 

Log on to Lynda, using your UCL username and password when prompted.

 

 

Lynda 4

 

 

Find the video or section of the Lynda course that you would like to add to your reading list and bookmark as normal, by clicking on the ‘Add to my Bookmarks’ button. (For further information on how to set up a list and add the bookmarking button please see our webpages).

 

 

 

Change the ‘Type’ to ‘audio-visual document’, then add any other metadata you think necessary, e.g. change the title to display the title of a section. Finally, check the ‘Online resource’ box is ticked, save the bookmark and publish your list: when your students now click on your reading list they will be taken directly to the video or section.

It is also possible to search for and bookmark Lynda resources from the library catalogue, Explore.

How do I update my reading list for Term 2?

By Sandra Bamborough, on 11 January 2016

As many of you will be aware online reading lists are a fantastic way to present course materials to your students in order to better, and more fully, engage them.  Feedback from students has been very positive!

There are benefits for you, too:

  • Update readings and publish immediately
  • Flexible layout makes them suitable for a few essential readings, or fuller lists.
  • Ideal for a variety of resources, such as film or TV clips (e.g. using YouTube or Box of Broadcasts), online training tutorials with Lynda.com, professional body webpages, image database resources etc.

During the start of Term 2, TLSS* are happy to help by creating empty reading lists for new courses and to help with your digital readings.  You can then take ownership and share editing rights with your colleagues.  We will show new colleagues how to use their reading lists.  For those of you who may like a quick reminder, would like some tips, or have questions, we are also continuing our drop-in sessions throughout the winter.

Our drop-in sessions are held in the TLSS office every Wednesday afternoon, 2.30-4.30 p.m, and will continue up to and including 24th February.  Visit us in UCL Senate House, 3rd floor, room 317 in the staff area (ask at the UCL reception desk). See our poster for more details.

In addition we welcome the opportunity to visit departments for ‘Getting started’ sessions or for one-to-one refresher sessions; email us for further information, to set up a reading list, or to book a visit!

* TLSS: the Teaching & Learning Support Section, part of UCL Library Services.