Resource Lists at GCU
Resource Lists at GCU is the University's in-house resource list management system. It allows lecturers to create structured, annotated resource lists that contain a wide variety of different resource types. Staff can easily collaborate with their academic colleagues and library staff to create, update and maintain lists.
Sending your resource list to the library
If you would like to request items for your resource list, please submit your request to the library directly through the Resource List system (read how to do this in our Creating Resource Lists guide). Alternatively, you can email the team at resourcelists@gcu.ac.uk with a list of resources needed (please include your module name, module code, the number of participating students, and ensure you mark the importance level of each citation).
Please submit your resource list well in advance of the new trimester to ensure that your material is available for the start of the term. Due to the move to online blended learning, we have seen an increase in usage of the Resource List system. To ensure that the library has a chance to process your list for the beginning of teaching, we ask that you submit your resource lists by the following dates:
Trimester A: 18 August 2023
Trimester B: 15 December 2023
Trimester C: 5 April 2024
If you already have a resource list on our system, the library has now rolled over your list in advance of the 2021/22 academic year. In a change for the new academic year, all rolled-over lists have been automatically published and made visible to your students. However, please review the module codes associated with your list to make sure they are correct. You may also wish to review your resource list citations to ensure they are still accurate and up to date.
Ebook and book purchasing
When adding books and ebooks to your resource list, you must tag the resource importance level. There are three types of importance levels:
- Essential reading - Core texts that students are directed to read
- Recommended reading - Additional resources that complement the essential reading
- Further reading - Resources you may recommend to students to further their understanding of a subject
The library will base its purchasing decisions on which level of importance an item is tagged with, along with the number of students attached to a course.
If you do not tag your items with an importance level, the library will then process these as Further reading.
Resource lists are restricted to only allow 100 book or ebook titles on any one list. These restrictions are broken down by importance level:
- Essential reading - 10 titles only
- Recommended reading - 30 titles only
- Further reading - 60 titles only
If your list contains more than the recommended number of book or ebook titles, you will be asked to review your list again. Support on choosing resources for a resource list can be provided by the Academic Librarian team on request.
What will the library do?
The library has reviewed its resource list policies and procedures. When processing your resource list, the library will:
- Assist you in choosing material for your resource list. View our selecting and ordering ebooks webpage or our contact your librarian webpage for more detailed information.
- Help you take existing resources (such as Open Textbooks) and develop them in ways that suit your needs - contact libraryresearch@gcu.ac.uk.
- Monitor demand for resources and purchase additional e-copies where necessary.
- Order new editions of items if they are tagged as essential reading in a Resource List or are specifically requested by the lecturer.
The library will not:
- Buy resource list items unless they are submitted to the library with the necessary supporting information.
- Order new editions of items tagged as recommended or further reading unless they are requested by the lecturer.
- Generally buy print copies of items where an electronic copy is available.
Training
You can read our guide on how to use the Resource List system, including how to create your own resource lists. Access our Creating Resource Lists guide.
You can also view a recording of our previous training sessions which ran as part of the GCU Going Digital webinar series. These sessions are designed to give you a basic understanding of the Resource List system. Watch a recording of our Resource List training session.
If you are interested in booking training for yourself or a group of colleagues, please contact the team at resourcelists@gcu.ac.uk to arrange it.
Adding resource lists to GCULearn
A direct link to your Resource List will be made available in GCU Learn. If the list does not load correctly, contact the Resource List Team (resourcelists@gcu.ac.uk) for help and advice.