Zoë Martin Subject Librarian Murdoch 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 old eReserve Murdoch University Library

In with the new Talis Aspire “My Unit Readings” Murdoch University Library

It’s all good: Benefits of My Unit Readings Create bibliographies 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 1 st year S2 units to be completed (full rollout 2016) Murdoch University Library

The way forward: Rollout Pilot – Semester 1, 2015 – 6 lists Semester 2, 2015 (all 1 st 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