La Trobe University > Library > Teaching services > Reading lists

Reading lists

The Library uses the Talis Aspire platform to manage reading lists for students:

Go to Reading Lists

Benefits for your students

  • Easy and effective way to find and access all course resources in one list
  • Direct list access from LMS via the “Library & study resources” block or through an LMS integrated list
  • Students can add study notes and manage their reading priorities by setting a reading status

How students access the reading list

  • In the LMS from the Library & Study Resources block
  • Reading lists link on the Library web page
  • Viewing a reading list that has been embedded in the LMS

Benefits for teaching staff

  • Control the creation of your subject's list and bookmark library items directly into your list, using the 'drag and drop’ interface
  • Self-publish your list to make it available immediately
  • View analytics on student use of resources
  • Direct communication with the Library for ordering, digitising and placing resources in restricted loan collections
  • The library is responsible for ensuring copyright compliance

How the Library can help

  • Curating resources for a reading list and subject topics
  • Support by creating and formatting your list
  • Embedding a reading list in LMS
  • Manage copyright and licensing agreement requirements
  • Digitise chapters and articles, in accordance with copyright regulations
  • Place relevant resources in high demand and monitor usage to ensure equitable access for students
  • Purchase new and additional resources
  • Provide troubleshooting support

What we need from you...

At least three weeks’ notice is needed to create, process and finalise your reading list. This is to allow time to purchase books, digitise requests, get articles from external libraries and recall any items already on loan.

first steps...

How do I start creating a Reading List?

  • Watch a 3 minute Video with detailed instructions on how to create a list and add resources
  • Read the Quick start guide [PDF 532KB]
  • Ask for help – Contact a Library Senior Learning Advisor
  • See further resources below

How do I integrate my reading list (week by week) in LMS?

What are Required and Recommended texts?

Required texts

Essential readings that students must read in order to reach their required subject learning outcomes – for example, a subject required textbook or required weekly readings. These items should be bookmarked onto a reading list with an importance level of Required.

Image: Required items on a reading list


Required items (physical items*) will be placed in the High Demand collection on 3 hour loan. Required items (electronic items)  the Library will purchase multiple ebook licenses.

A copy of any Required physical textbook, where the Library cannot obtain an electronic or ebook copy, will be added to the 3-hour loan High Demand collection with multiple copies for subjects with large student cohorts.

*Physical collections are available at Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Shepparton, and Collins Street campuses.


Recommended texts

Non-core texts that complement and build-on existing course materials and required readings. These items should be bookmarked onto a reading list with an importance level of Recommended

Image: Required items on a reading list

Recommended print resources will remain in the general collection. The Library will monitor demand and relocate texts to high demand where required.


Library to Purchase
Select this option to instruct the Library to purchase new or additional copies of any required or recommended readings.

Please place a note in the Note for Library field including specifying the campus .

See the guide: Order a resource [PDF 340KB].

What can I place in a reading list?

Link a reading list to items (publish immediately)
  • Journal articles from Library Search
  • eBooks from Library Search
  • Videos from library collections
  • Websites
  • Podcasts, videos on web
  • Online documents or reports
Items requiring library assistance (to be linked)
  • Print books (as well as moving to high demand collections)
  • Print chapters (from books)
  • New purchases or editions of textbooks
  • Other documents that you might have

About the High Demand collections

High Demand collection loan periods include:

  • 3 hour loan
  • 3 day loan
  • 7 day loan

When determining loan periods of High Demand items the Library will consider:

  • Advice from teaching staff
  • Readings that have an importance of “Required” in the reading list
  • Total subject enrolment numbers across all campuses
  • Online availability
  • Demand and usage for the item (both print and e-copies)

Students can access digitised or scanned chapters in reading lists up to two weeks prior to the commencement of the major teaching periods (semester 1, 2, winter and summer) until the final day of examinations.

Access for other teaching periods will begin up to one week prior to course commencement and close two weeks following the end of the teaching period.

Further resources...