Online reading lists: a guide for students

Your online reading list provides access to the recommended readings on your module - including availability in the Library, access to online resources and scans of recommended chapters. 

Access your reading lists by going to your module on Blackboard and then clicking on the 'Reading Lists' menu item on the left of the screen. Your reading list will then open up within Blackboard.

If you have more than one reading list for the module, separate links will be provided to these within the Reading Lists menu.

If you want to go back to the module 'home' page on Blackboard at any time, click on the module name at the top of the screen, above your reading list.

Watch our video to see how you can access your reading lists on Blackboard. (To enable closed captions, click on the CC icon at the bottom of the video.)

If you require an alternative format for any item on your reading list, please click on the link at the top of your online reading list.

If you would like to know more about the Library’s alternative formats service, please see our guide below.

Click on the title of the item in your reading list, or the 'View Availability' button, to see full bibliographic details and a summary of current Library availability, how many copies we have and the Call Number.

Click on the button that displays the number of copies to see which floor of the Main Library you will find the book.

If the availability column says a copy is 'expected', this is the date we expect it to be returned to the Library, if it is not renewed.

If all the copies are out, you can place a hold by clicking on this 'expected by' button which will take you to the Enterprise catalogue - and then placing a hold in the normal way.

If the item cited on your list is available online, you will see a View Online button next to the title on the list.

Clicking on the button will open the online resource in a new tab/window.

When you click on the title of an item, if there is an online version you'll see an Available Online button - this will also take you to the online resource in a new tab/window.

If your tutor has requested a scanned extract of a particular chapter or article these will be accessible via your online Reading List. Scans are accessible from the start of the term in which the module is running.

When you click 'View Online' you will be asked to sign-in with your University of Reading username and password to access the scan. You will also be given the option to download or print. Please note that only students enrolled on a module are permitted to download or print from these scanned extracts.