Reading Lists Online (RLO): guide for academic staff

Frequently asked questions

Some of the more commonly asked questions about using reading lists online (RLO), along with their answers, can be found below. 

If you have any further questions or would like training on how to use RLO please contact your Academic Librarian. 

I've logged on to RLO but cannot make any changes. Why?

You need to be a registered user on the system to create, edit and publish lists. Contact your Academic Librarian, they will send you an invitation to enable you to do this.

Which web browser should I use?

We recommend using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox when editing or creating reading lists.

Can I create a list if I haven't got a Module Code?

Yes you can create a list without a Module Code as it can be added later. This is usually because it’s a module for a new programme that’s being developed so make sure ‘Subject to Approval’ is added in front of the module title and Library staff will sort out which module code it should be linked to.  

What name should I use when creating a reading list?

The reading list title must match the title of the module as it displays in ModCat/UTReg.  

What do I put in the description for the list ?

You don’t have to provide a description, but this could be module code, level, location or a short description about the course. The description appears beneath the title of the reading list. You could indicate in this section if a module is taught at Darlington campus or if it is a distance learning course as this will assist Library staff when purchasing new books for stock. 

What do I have to call the sections of a list?

To make your list more relevant for students you could organise the sections by themes or weekly reading. If the list is being prepared for an approval/review event you may need to use the traditional ‘Essential’, ‘Recommended’, ‘Journals’, and ‘Electronic’ sections as given in the indicative resources section of the UTREG form.

Can I use RLO on my iPad?

Yes, although you will bookmark items in a different way. See the information on the Getting Started page.

Where should I look for resources for my reading list?

To add resources which are already in stock in the Library use the Discovery search tool to find books (print and electronic), journal articles and conference papers. Sign in to Discovery to view full availability of resources. There is more information on the Editing lists and Online resources are key pages. 

Can I only add items available in the Library?

When adding items to reading lists please make use of the Library's extensive collection of book titles, electronic journal titles and articles, and other formats of materials rather than requesting new resources. 

If an article/paper is not available via the library's subscriptions or open access please see the Scanning for Teaching page as it may be possible to supply a copyright cleared version.  It may also be possible to use the Scanning for Teaching service to digitise a chapter from a book (or up to 10% of the book) which isn't available in ebook format.

How does the Library decide how many copies should be in stock of items on my reading list?

The number of copies of a book that the Library will buy is based on the Importance Level that you assign – ensure you set the ‘importance’ level, even if the book is in a ‘Recommended’ or ‘Essential’ section. This gives an indication of the level of use likely to be made of an item by the students on that module. Further information can be found in the Editing Lists page. 

I want all my students to read a specific chapter in a book, can this be added to RLO?

Yes, the Library can digitise book chapters and journal articles. You can use RLO to request a legal, digitised copy of a book chapter which can be added to the reading list and to Blackboard. Simply add the book to your list as usual and in the Create & Add to List pop up box add a Note for the Library to explain which chapter/pages you would like digitising. Further information can be found on the Editing Lists page in the document explaining how to add a book. There is also more information on the Scanning for Teaching page.

How do I copy a reading list?

Sign in to Reading Lists Online, click ‘My Lists’ and choose the list you want to copy. Click on ‘Edit’ and select ‘Copy List’ from the drop down menu. Fill in the details on the form that appears and click ‘Create list’. The list will appear as ‘Copy of…’ and will be in draft format. Make sure to rename the list and remove 'copy of' from the start of the name.

How often should I edit my list?

You are not restricted to editing and publishing your lists only once a year. Keep your list fresh and up-to-date by adding new items (or removing items) but remember you must publish the list again after making any changes

How do I change the name attached to a reading list?

You can change the ownership of a reading list by clicking on Edit and choosing the option to Assign list owner. You can either type the name of the person who should own the list into the search box or click on the link Assign to me. Then click on 'Save with list publisher role'.

I’ve received an email to say that my review is complete - what does this mean?

An email is sent to you when the library team have completed the check of your reading list for stock levels, new editions and e-book availability. This process is the 'Review'.

How do I know if people are using my list?

You can use RLO Analytics to view how people are using your list. You can look at the total usage, weekly statistics, or you can choose a specific date range. For more information see the Usage Figures page.