RLO: Working with Reading Lists Online

These are the main steps for adding resources to your reading list.

• Find the resource you want to add.
• Bookmark the resource using the RLO Bookmarking extension.
• Add the resource to your reading list.
• Publish the changes.

Instructions for Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers

• In your browser open RLO and sign in. https://shu.rl.talis.com/index.html
• Go to My bookmarks and click on Install Bookmarking Extension (depending on screen prompts you may need to do this once or twice).
• A tab or window will open for “Talis Aspire reading lists extension" Click on Add to Chrome or Get [Microsoft Edge], and then Add extension in the dialog box that opens.

The Talis extension will now be available through the jigsaw piece extensions icon next to the address bar in your browser.  You can make sure it is always visible:

• In your browser click on the Talis extension Icon to see all extensions.
• In Chrome: Click on the Pin icon to the right of Talis.
• In Microsoft Edge: Click on the Show in toolbar icon to the right of Talis.

This is how the extension icons will look in the top right of Chrome and Edge browsers when Talis is installed and visible. (Browser updates may mean that your icons look a little different.) 

The first time you click on Talis you will be prompted to select your institution. You can now click on the Talis icon to bookmark items for RLOs.

You need to use the RLO Bookmarking tool to Bookmark resources.  There are different instructions depending on your preferred web browser and whether you are working on a university device or a personal device. 

Instructions for university devices (Chrome and Microsoft Edge)

• Chrome: the RLO Bookmarking tool is under Managed bookmarks > Staff > Bookmark to RLO.  If you don't see the Managed bookmarks option on your browser, click on the three dots in the top right hand corner of your screen, select Bookmarks and lists and Show Bookmarks Bar.
• Microsoft Edge: the RLO Bookmarking tool is under Managed Favourites > Staff > Bookmark to RLO.

Instructions for personal computers (Chrome and Edge):

• Login to RLO.
• Click on the tab for My Bookmarks.
• Click on the button to Install Bookmark Button.
• Follow the instructions to add the Bookmark Button to your toolbar.

Instructions for Macs and iPads (Safari) university and personal devices

The document below provides step by step advice and screenshots for installing the RLO Bookmarking tool if you are using Safari on a Mac or iPad.

Step One: Bookmark 

• Find the book in Library Search.
• Click on the title of the book to display the full record in Library Search.
• Bookmark this page using the RLO Bookmarking tool.
• If you are presented with more than one option for the title, choose the latest edition. If you are presented with a print version and an eBook version (see screenshot below), select the print version. 

• Click Create.  

Step Two: Add to your reading list

• Open the reading list.
• Hover the mouse over where you want the book to go.
• Choose the Add Resource option from the action bar which appears. 
• Set whether the book is Essential or Background reading for the module.
• If the book is set as Essential reading, the library will check if a multiuser eBook is available to purchase. If a multiuser eBook isn't available, your subject librarian will contact you to help identify alternative resources.
• Publish the changes to the RLO.

VIDEO: How to add a book or eBook to your reading list.

The process for adding journal articles is the same as adding books and eBooks:

Step One: Bookmark 

• Find the article using Library Search.
• Click on the title link to open the full record.
• Bookmark this page using the RLO Bookmarking tool.
• Check all the journal details are included. 
• Click Create.

Step Two: Add to your reading list 

• Open the reading list.
• Hover the mouse over where you want the article to go.
• Choose the Add Resource option from the action bar which appears. 
• Set whether the article is Essential or Background reading for the module.
• Publish the changes to the RLO.

If you find an article on Library Search that has the ‘Access content in Unpaywall’ link and no other sources under Full text availability, it should still be added to the RLO as described above. However, these links require checking and updating by library staff so that they link to a full-text version correctly. This will happen during the Review process.

To add audio visual resources from Library Search, follow the process for adding a book (see above):

Step One: Bookmark 

• Find the recording in Library Search.
• Click on the title link to open the full record.
• Bookmark this page using the RLO Bookmarking tool.
• Ensure resource type is set to Audio-Visual document.
• Check all the details are correct. 
• Click Create.

Step Two: Add to your reading list 

• Open the reading list.
• Hover the mouse over where you want the resource to go.
• Choose the Add Resource option from the action bar which appears. 
• Set whether the resource is Essential or Background reading for the module.
• Publish the changes to the RLO.

Box of Broadcasts (BoB) contains a permanent archive of content from nine channels: BBC1 London / BBC2 / BBC4 / ITV London / Channel 4 / More4 / Channel 5 / BBC Radio 4 / BBC Radio 4 Extra.

You can create an account to create and save clips to add to your reading lists.  

How to add clips or programmes from your Box of Broadcasts account to your reading list:

Step One: Bookmark

• You can either add a clip or a link to the whole programme.
• Log in to BoB and select the programme, clip or playlist you wish to add to your list.
• Click on the Share option, and copy the WAYFLESS link.
• Bookmark this page using the RLO Bookmarking tool.
• Remove the existing web address and paste in the web address you copied from BoB. 
• Check the remaining programme details are correct and make sure the blue online box is ticked.
• Click Create. 

Step Two: Add to your reading list 

• Open the reading list.
• Hover the mouse over where you want the programme to go.
• Choose the Add Resource option from the action bar which appears. 
• Set whether the programme is Essential or Background reading for the module.
• Publish the changes to the RLO.

VIDEO: How to search Box of Broadcasts and add videos to your reading list.

• Find the website
• Click on the Bookmark to RLO link under the Managed Bookmarks - Staff folder in your Favourites bar
• Ensure resource type is set to Webpage
• Check the record to ensure that the correct web address is displayed in the Web address and the title is meaningful
• Click Create
• This will create a bookmark to the required resource. Once you have created bookmarks to all the resources you wish to add, you can go to your reading list and add all your bookmarks using the Add Resource option. See here for instructions on how to Add Resources.

UK Government web pages and some other web pages cannot be bookmarked using the Bookmark to RLO link.  These can still be bookmarked using the Talis RLO bookmarking browser extension.

• Find the book on the publisher's website and Bookmark the webpage. 
• Edit the Bookmark to change the 'Resource Type' from webpage to book.  
• Add the Bookmark to the RLO.
• Set the importance as Essential, Background or Optional reading. 
• Publish your changes.
• The list will be sent for Review by Library staff. The book will be ordered if available. If there are any queries - e.g. the book is out of print or not available as a multi-access eBook, your subject librarian will contact you to discuss possible alternatives.

The Set importance option is important for both the student and the library. It helps students to plan their reading. It helps the library prioritise which items need checking first to ensure they are available to your students.  We recommend only using the Essential and Background options. 

All Essential material needs to be available as a multiuser eBooks to avoid student frustration and anxiety. If an essential item is not available electronically, we will contact the academic to explore alternative titles or digitisation options.

How to set the importance of an item: 

• Add the item to the reading list
• Click on the drop-down menu 'Importance not set' which appears next to the item
• Select the importance status 'Essential' or 'Background'

You can add Notes for your students directing them to specific chapters, sections or pages.  You can also provide further information about why the resource has been selected, any limitations and how you would like them to use it.

How to add a note for students:

• Find the item on the reading list
• Click on the three dots next to it
• Choose Note for students