Add a Talis reading list

Using Talis Aspire reading lists will provide your students with familiar, consistent and easy access to the required reading for their programme. The use of Talis Aspire reading lists also enables the Library to ensure that an appropriate number of copies of key texts are purchased.

In this guide:

How to add reading lists to Moodle
- Reading list block
  - Add a reading list block
  - Hide or delete a reading list block
- Reading list activity
  - Add a reading list activity
Should I use the block or activity?
Help with reading lists and Talis Aspire

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How to add reading lists to Moodle

There are two ways to link a Talis reading list with your Moodle course; via the reading list block in the right-hand block drawer or via the reading list activity in a course section.

Reading list block

The Talis reading list block adds a block on the right-hand side of your Moodle course with a link to the reading list on Talis, as shown below. The block automatically links to the current academic year's Talis reading list(s) linked to the module code. The Moodle course for AR101-25/26 would automatically link to the 25/26 reading list(s) in Talis that has been linked to the module AR101.

Add the reading list block

Enable Edit mode.
Click the Open block drawer button on the right-hand side if not already open.
Click Add a block at the top of the block drawer.
Select Reading lists (Talis Aspire).

Hide or delete a reading list block

Enable Edit mode.
Click the Move icon to move a block.
Click the Edit menu and select:
- Hide Reading lists (Talis Aspire) block to hide the reading list block from students, or
- Delete Reading lists(Talis Aspire)block to remove the reading list block from the Moodle course

Reading list activity

The Talis reading list activity adds a link(s) to an entire reading list or to one or more section(s) of a reading list. The activity can be added amongst the content on your Moodle course.

Add a reading list activity

Enable Edit mode .
Navigate to the section where the resource will be added.
Click Add an Activity or resource.
Select Reading list (Talis Aspire).
If prompted, click Start to authenticate.
Click the Select content button and search for the relevant reading list.
When you have found the correct list, choose between Select section or Embed list. You can only link to a section if the list has been organised into sections within Talis beforehand.
Change the title, if required. We recommend replacing Talis Aspire with Reading list.
Click Save and display or Save and return to course.

The previous option of displaying the reading list 'inline on a course page' is no longer available due to an updated version of the Talis plugin.

Should I use the block or activity?

Whether the block or activity is most appropriate will depend on how you want your students to interact with your reading list and how you plan to maintain your Moodle course. We have detailed some things to consider below.

Consideration	Reading list block	Reading list activity
Choice	Limited to the reading list of the module	Link to any reading list
Control	Link to a whole reading list only	Link to a whole reading list or section of a reading list
Display	No options	No longer any options
Prominence	The block displays in the right-hand side block drawer of the Moodle course	A link can be added anywhere on the course page
Usability	Students will view the reading list outside of Moodle	Students view the reading list within Moodle
Annual Maintenance	None. The block is copied over each year and will link to the published list for the module automatically	Annual maintenance required to link each instance of the resource to the current year reading list/section
Future-proof	Will NOT continue to work once the reading list is archived	Will continue to work once the reading list is archived

Help with reading lists and Talis Aspire

The University Library supports Talis Aspire and can advise on reading list practice. Email the Reading List Team at readinglists.library@warwick.ac.uk

View advice and guidance on using Talis Aspire on the Library's pages.

Contact your Academic Support Librarian.

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