Q: What browser should I use?
A: We recommend Firefox. You can also use Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. For Microsoft Edge, an extension from talis is required.
In the odd case that the bookmark tool does not work, Java is probably disabled or not installed. To install, follow these steps:
Q: My toolbar is not showing. What do I do?
A: You have to insert this into your browser manually. Depending on which browser you are using, this slightly varies.
In Firefox:
Alternatively:
In Chrome:
Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+B on your keyboard.
In Internet Explorer:
In Opera:
Alternatively:
Q: My bookmarklet button stopped working. What do I do?
A: Your browser might be using a Privacy Badger or similar ad-blocker. If this is the case, you might need to give the bookmark tool specific permissions. You can also change to another browser. We recommend you use Firefox.
Q: How do I add a YouTube video to my reading list?
If you want to bookmark a YouTube video at a specific timestamp:
Q: I've accidentally deleted a field when bookmarking. What do I do now?
A: Please re-bookmark the resource, double checking that the fields are correct.
A: To link a reading list to your module:
A: If your module is not listed in the hierarchy, please email any missing module codes with their module titles to John.Cremin@tcd.ie.
Q: How do I make my list available to my students?
A: Your reading lists created using MyReadingList will sit with your modules in BlackBoard by the start of the new academic year.
However, if you want to share your lists via URL, copy the link of the landing page for your list:
Q: Can I copy a reading list?
A: Yes, you can copy a reading list and amend as required:
Q: Can I share a reading list if a module has multiple contributors?
A: Yes. If your module has more than one contributing academic, you can invite them to become publishers on the reading list:
Q: Can I link a reading list to more than one module?
A: Yes. If your reading list is being used by more than one module, add the module codes in the Hierarchy & Students search. Please also add in the students’ numbers for each module.
Q: Can I transfer my reading list from another institution?
A: Yes. If you have access to the list, you only need to export the list from another institution and import it into MyReadingList@TCD. You can also import a reading list from another source, such as a citation manager like Mendeley or EndNote.
Q: Do I need to re-create my reading lists each year?
A: No. The reading list will automatically rollover during the summer.
Q: Why are some of my core books not available as e-books?
A: The library staff in charge of ordering material will always check for an e-book version if the book is listed as core. Unfortunately, many publishers that offer individual e-book purchase will offer limited or no e-book availability to libraries.
Q: If I make a mistake in a reading list, or if I decide to change content i.e. add or remove reading material, can I change specific items without discarding the entire list?
A: Yes. At any given time, you can edit your reading list.
Please note: Once you make changes to a reading list, any progress will be saved for yourself, but you must publish it again to make the changes visible for everyone else.
Q: Can I delete or unpublish my reading list?
A: Short answer, yes. In practice however, there is rarely a serious need to delete a published reading list. The link in the BlackBoard module can be removed to make the reading list inaccessible. If you do wish to delete a list please email (insert email here) with the module code and list name.
To remove a list:
Q: Will MyReadingList@TCD discourage students to do their individual, independent research?
A: Academics can collaborate with library staff and encourage students to engage with their reading lists, testing their ability to do independent research.
One way to combat your concern about spoonfeeding the students is an exercise where you provide incomplete reading lists and ask the students to recommend other relevant material. Alternatively, you could create lists containing only the title and have students populate it themselves. The University of Liverpool is a good example: one lecturer asked students to do independent research and add relevant resources to blank online reading lists. The outcome was that the resources/references they used doubled as opposed to when they didn’t have online reading lists. For more, see here.