Library & Learning Services

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Online Resource List Policy

Library and Learning Resources is committed to working in partnership with colleagues in academic departments, to provide the best possible range of information resources, within budgetary constraints, to support them and their students.

This document is the Library and Learning Resources response to a request by academic staff for some clarification and guidance on how the Library and Learning Resources and academic staff can work together to enhance students’ experiences of working with reading lists.

Online Resource List Policy

Summary Guidance

The content of online resource lists should take into account the student cohort size, the mode of attendance, method and place of delivery and the anticipated use of resources. They should also be balanced in terms of diversity, internationalism and representation within the employment sector.

To meet student demand and ensure equitable provision to our increasingly dispersed student population, online resource lists should be compiled with electronic availability in mind, particularly where courses are taught across multiple locations, students are not based at a campus or block-teaching is used.

They must be created using the template that is available within the online resource list software, to ensure parity of experience across modules and should include as wide a variety of learning resources as possible.

The LLR provides access to e-books, e-journals, video content, open access material and the University repository and this should allow for interesting and varied online resource list content. Existing learning resources should be utilised before purchase of new items is considered, to ensure value for money.

Students should also be encouraged to take ownership of list content by making suggestions and providing feedback. Usage and engagement with lists can be monitored, to help ensure that lists are relevant, dynamic and interesting.

It is recognised that the availability of academic textbooks and journals (electronic or print) through the medium of Welsh is a considerable challenge, so it would be useful to note this if the module is being delivered in Welsh or bilingually to manage student expectations.

Material which is an essential part of the course and students are expected to draw on as a core part of their learning. There is an implicit promise that students should be able to get hold of these items.

  • Must be available from the library and should be available online
  • Ideally contain up to 7 items but with an absolute maximum of 15
  • LLR will provide access to 1 copy per 10 students (electronic or print)
  • Where items are out of print, they may only be included if digitisation of the relevant section is allowed under the CLA licence.

Material which supplements or enhances the essential reading. It is expected that students will read at least some material from this category, to broaden and deepen understanding of the subject beyond the basic.

  • Should be available from the library, online where possible.
  • A maximum of 25 items
  • LLR will provide access to 1 copy per 50 students (electronic or print)
  • If particular items are not readily available g. out of print, this should be indicated on the reading list.

Please ensure the referencing style used for the reading list is both appropriate to the discipline and also one advised for student use via Programme Handbooks or Referencing Guides. This will ensure students can locate the correct resource, including the right edition and in the precise format. The Library and Learning Resources can advise staff and students on the effective use of referencing and bibliographic software tools, both subscription and open source.

The Library and Learning Resources will provide advice and support for resource planning; contribute to the revision and approval of module specifications and reading lists and provide input on reading list content at the programme design and development stage: Contact us at library@uwtsd.ac.uk. 

The policy will be reviewed every three years in liaison with academic staff to ensure continued effectiveness.

A group of five young adults, including a woman wearing a hijab and a woman pointing at a tablet, gathered around a table in a bright room with a laptop and tablet, collaborating or studying together.