Lifecycle of your Reading List

The Reading List Lifecycle restarts every year in early May with the Talis Aspire Rollover actioned by the Library. This generates new draft lists for the next cycle by creating a copy of every published list from the previous cycle. Lists for new modules or those which have not previously had a reading list on Talis Aspire can be set up individually thereafter as needed.

A flow chart depicting the reading list lifecycle

Annual Timeline

While the graphic above outlines the different stages your reading list goes through each cycle, the table below explains in more detail the different actions and responsibilities that you can expect with each stage at different points throughout the calendar year.

Early May	Library staff ensure that all published lists on Talis Aspire for the current cycle are rolled over into new draft lists for the following cycle. Please note: Draft lists are not visible to students yet– they only become visible once published.
May to July	All teaching staff to: Log in to Talis Aspire (creating a profile if prompted) to check whether a reading list for their module is already on the system. If a Reading List is already on Talis Aspire and if the module is running in the coming cycle: check the draft make any changes required (a good time to revisit any important Library Notes from the previous cycle related to resource access and availability, for example "no ebook available") request digitisation (scans) if needed publish by the recommended deadline (end of July for Term 1 lists, end of November for Term 2 lists, start of April for Term 3 and Summer lists). If a Reading List is not on Talis Aspire and/or help and support is needed: contact Link opens in a new window for help and advice in setting up a new list and linking it to the correct module in the hierarchy.
May to October	Library staff focus on processing Term 1 and reading lists for year-long modules as they arrive, in date order. We may contact you if there are any elements of your list which require clarification and/or if your list is particularly long.
October to November	Library staff begin to archive lists from the previous cycle lists (with the exception of several departments), unless notified otherwise.
November to March	Library staff will focus on processing Term 2 lists and updates to previously submitted lists as they arrive, in date order. We may contact you if there are any elements of your list which require clarification and/or if your list is particularly long.
April to May	Library staff will focus on processing Term 3 and Summer Term lists, as well as updates to previously submitted lists as they arrive, in date order. We may contact you if there are any elements of your list which require clarification and/or if your list is particularly long. Library staff also archive any remaining draft lists in preparation for the rollover, as well as chase up any lists which Talis considers “published with unpublished changes” to ensure these changes are reflected in the rollover copy. Draft lists clearly labelled Term 3, Summer Term, Venice Summer Shool, etc., are not archived in case they are yet to be published.
Year-round	Library staff offer training for individuals on Talis Aspire. Bespoke sessions for your Department can also be arranged on demand. All such training can be conducted either online (via Microsoft Teams) or face to face.