Squaring the Circle: Implementing a Reading List Management System at NUI Galway Hugo Kelly Collection Management Librarian James Hardiman Library National University of Ireland, Galway

Content Current Practice RLMS implementation at NUI Galway Outcomes & Lessons

Reading List Provision requires… up to date timely information provided by an engaged academic community library processes budgets availability of content/copyright space Integration with wider university systems e.g. Blackboard, CMS Dervan, C. (2011). Evaluating Services and Specifications for Reading List: Systems: Project Report submitted to The Academic and National Library Training Co-operative Group. [online] ANTLC. Available at: http://anltc.conul.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ANLTCReport-CalebDervenReadingLists1.pdf [Accessed 14 Nov. 2017].

Current Reading List Practice in Irish University Libraries Short survey of seven Irish Universities and Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) It is something we do on a best effort basis but it is not a priority It is important but we don't want it to take resources from other areas of our service It is important but students are ultimately responsible for providing their own learning materials It is very important but it is difficult to meet expectations and demand It is very important and we should put more resources into the service

How do you currently manage reading list/high demand use?

Please rank in order the core 4 difficulties associated with reading list and high demand materials provision?

Case Study: RLMS Implementation at NUI Galway

1st Reading List Initiative Academic staff formally asked to submit their reading list indicate which titles were core and background reading specific chapters students were to read module code and class size Library Staff taking responsibility: Appropriate number of copies and loan status relative to class size Shorter loan periods (1-day and 3-day) on open access Purchase of e-book version Scan of a single chapter or journal article for delivery via Blackboard

Libqual continues to improve MG328 Human Resource Management 1455 views AY104 Introduction to Financial Accounting 822 views MD224 Central Nervous System 881 views

In reality… Staff time involved in checking lists quite considerable No dedicated staff Duplication of effort - if the same list is submitted year after year, it will be checked multiple times Working outside of Library and University systems Capturing only a fraction of available lists Data on active modules difficult to obtain Some modules don’t have reading lists (e.g. thesis preparation, placements, practical modules) Circulation statistics show steady decline in borrowing 39% less Loans in 2014/15 than in 2011/12

Blackboard Reading Resources Reading List Ecosystem Module added to CMS Blackboard Library Loan Status Changes Digitisation Acquisitions Students University Bookshop Blackboard Reading Resources AKARI Reading List

Library Collection Development RLMS Ecosystem CMS Module (AKARI) University Bookshop Dynamic Reading List (RLMS) Library Collection Development Link from Blackboard Digitisation Students

TALIS: RLMS pilot programme Functionality: Single authoritative source of required readings Can evolve throughout semester No need for separate Library ordering Easy creation Reports of student engagement with lists Improve communication

Process Academic requests invitation to use reading list system. Training/guides provided. Academic creates and publishes list and adds in link from Blackboard. Collection Development is notified. Review Process. Integrates with Catalogue and ordering system. Check stock, new orders, loan status changes, digitisation requests, e-link checks Team communicates any issues back to academic. List can edited and republished. List will roll forward for new academic year.

Implementation Technical work Developing internal workflows Weekly training and guides developed Rollout June 2016 Strategy of early adopters Target key disciplines/units

Outcomes & LESSONS

Reading Lists - Key Stats No of Published Reading Lists inc. drafts 303 No of items checked 3958 Number of titles ordered 581 No of loan statuses changes 174 Digitisation requests 147 E-links checked 1695 Existing stock sufficient 531

Student Engagement 16/17 MG328 Human Resource Management 1455 views MD224 Central Nervous System 881 views AY104 Introduction to Financial Accounting 822 views

Academic Engagement Spectrum of reaction New staff / part-time staff positive Spoon-feeding argument We already are doing this through Blackboard or other mechanisms Lack of follow through after training Functionality could be more seamless

Our Response… Cooperation – meeting staff half way Promote via e-books and library resources Library support argument Improved level of service Word of mouth is effective Focussed follow-up after training Use of collection policies (“stick approach”)

Squaring the Circle An RLMS systemises the provision of learning materials Itemises “hidden” processes and links the Library to the teaching curriculum and University systems Procedural and possibly structural changes are required to support an RLMS There will be legacy issues that will be difficult to change Academic engagement is incremental Professionally rewarding