Zoë MartinSubject LibrarianMurdoch University Library

Unit Readings: Journey Into a New Landscape

Where were we?Talis Aspire (“My Unit

Readings”) Digitised content and cloud-based application used to manage and

deliver unit reading lists Copyright compliant system Owned by UK based company Currently used by 84 institutions, including the following Australian

universities:• Southern Cross University (NSW)• Griffith University (QLD)• The University of Queensland (QLD)• Deakin University (VIC)• La Trobe University (VIC)• Monash University (VIC)• Murdoch University (WA)

Murdoch University Library

Out with the oldeReserve

Murdoch University Library

In with the newTalis Aspire “My Unit Readings”

Murdoch University Library

It’s all good: Benefits of My Unit Readings

Create bibliographi

es

All readings

in one place

Update lists at

any time

View learning analytics

Copyright compliant

Personalise

reading lists

Murdoch University Library

“Big things have small beginnings”

—Prometheus

Testing the waters:Pilot – Semester 1, 2015

Academics recruited

Library staff trained

Academic group training undertaken

6 unit reading lists used

Academic and student surveys run

Process modifications made

Murdoch University Library

The road got rocky:Semester 2, 2015

Proposed Plan

• Academics to create own lists

• Group training

• Full rollout of My Unit Readings

Modified Plan

• Library staff to create lists

• One-on-one training • 1st year S2 units to be

completed (full rollout 2016)

Murdoch University Library

Murdoch University Library

The way forward: Rollout Pilot – Semester 1, 2015 – 6 lists

Semester 2, 2015 (all 1st Year units) – 86 lists

OUA SP3 – 31 lists

OUA SP4 – 15 lists

Semester 1, 2016 (all S1 units) – 418

lists

Trimester 1, 2016 – 25 lists

Semester 2, 2016 (all units)

Lessons Learnt

You can’t predict the unpredictable There will be unforeseen system hiccups and glitches

Roll with the punches You may have to modify your plans/processes as you go

Different strokes for different folks Some academics will immediately love the system; some will not, but:

Resistance is common to the unusual Most hesitant/resistant academics will come around to the idea after

becoming familiar with My Unit Readings and its advantages

Rome wasn’t built in a day It is a gradual process – it cannot be done in one go

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable TEAMWORK, TEAMWORK, TEAMWORK!

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied

by drawbacks and discomforts.”

- Arnold Bennett

Murdoch University Library

“I think this will be a big plus for external students who may

not have easy access to sources.”

“So much easier!”

“Was very easy to access readings;

organised.”

“I liked the layout where each reading for that module was grouped

together! Loved it actually, wish all my units were on Talis.”

“Speed and simplicity. Many different kinds of

readings can be specified within one easy-to-use

interface.”

“Being able to organise reading lists into unit appropriate formats

– i.e. weekly readings or modules -- this was very easy to generate and

modify if necessary.”

“TA is simple, effective and a

worthwhile improvement.”

“Easy to browse lists and information is presented clearly.

Good user experience.”

He said, she said

Murdoch University Library

Questions?

Murdoch University Library