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Readings at JCU

How to get the most out of your subject readings at JCU

What is Bookmarking?

To add a resource to a reading list you first need to create a Bookmark for that resource. 

The bookmark consists of the citation details, such as author, title and source details as well as a link to the online version.

Bookmarks can be created for anything from print books held in the Library to websites, journals in databases or YouTube videos. You can re-use the same bookmark across multiple lists.

You can add bookmarks individually or in bulk:

  1. Use the Bookmark extension available in your browser to bookmark individual resources and add them directly to a reading list.
  2. Add multiple items to your bookmarks at once by uploading them as a RIS file that has been downloaded from a database such as One Search or exported from EndNote. Once you have loaded the file you will need to add them to your reading list(s).

Once you have created bookmarks, they can be located in your 'My bookmarks' section of Readings when you are logged in. 

Adding the bookmark extension

You can add an extension to your browser for creating bookmarks using Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari. 

To install the extension:

1. Choose your browser to open the extension 

  • Enable the extension in the extensions area of Safari

2. The extension will be installed on your browser bar. 

  • In Firefox click on the icon to go to the set up options.
  • In Safari, right-click on the Talis icon > Manage Extension. Select your institution on the Preferences tab and click Save.
  • In Chrome and Microsoft Edge, right click on the icon to set up the extension


     
  • Choose your university from the drop down menu and click Save

Adding individual readings to a list

You can add any resource to your bookmarks or directly to a reading list by clicking the Talis icon undefined on your browser toolbar.

This will open a frame in the window with a form to capture the bookmark information. If you are not already logged into Readings you will be prompted to login first.

For the best results use the abstract page view (not the PDF) for articles, chapters, books etc as more information will be auto-filled on the readings form for the abstract page.

If the form is missing details for referencing you can add additional fields using the Add Field menu. Please include all information required for referencing.

For online resources make sure that the Online Resource checkbox is ticked.

 

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To add the item to My Bookmarks list, click the Create button. To add items to a specific Reading List, click Create and Add to list.

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  1. Choose the appropriate reading list.
  2. Choose where you want the item to appear on your list. Use the drop down menu to choose a section of your list.
  3. Add notes for students and choose the item importance level.
  4. Click OK to add it to your list.

Note: Don't forget to go to your list and publish the changes to make them visible to students.

Importing multiple items to your bookmarks

You can also upload a list of resources to Readings in bulk using RIS files which can be exported from your EndNote library or directly from One Search or other databases.

Note: This option does not allow you to add items directly to a reading list. Items will be added to your bookmarks section and you can then add them to your list.

Exporting from One Search

  1. Locate and mark items you want to add to Readings by clicking the pin 
  2. Go to the Pin in the top right corner of your screen
     
  3. Select the items you want to Export using the check boxes
  4. Select the three dots to the right of the pin symbol to open the option menu 
  5. Choose Export RIS/ENDNOTE to download file - Save it somewhere easy to access.

Exporting from EndNote 

  1. Open your EndNote Library 
  2. Select items you want to add to Readings
  3. Go to File > Export
  4. Name the file and choose a location to save it
  5. Choose settings 
    • File type = *.txt
    • Output Style = RefMan (RIS) Export (if this option is not visible then choose Select Another Style and search for RefMan)
    • Check that you are only exporting the Selected references
  6. Save file

​Adding items to your Bookmarks

  1. Go to Readings > My Bookmarks
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  2. Click Add > Import Citations
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  3. You will receive an email when the items have been added to your Bookmarks list.
  4. Once the items have been added to your Bookmarks you can then add them to individual Reading lists.

 

Readings Importances

Staff allocate importance's to each reading and this is highlighted. In addition, the list can be divided into sections to indicate importance.

Add importance's to help students prioritise their readings. Add Prescribed and Recommended Textbook to their own section at the top of the list so students are aware they will require them for the whole unit.

  • Prescribed textbook: This is a textbook students will need to complete the course successfully - make sure to let them know if they will need to purchase it. Use this in the Prescribed and Recommended Textbook section at the top of the list to mark the whole book as Prescribed. use the Required or Additional options for the weekly chapter readings.
  • Recommended textbook:  This is a textbook that students will find useful. Make sure to let them know if they will need to purchase it. Use this in the Prescribed and Recommended Textbook section at the top of the list to mark the whole book as Recommended. Use the Required or Additional options for the weekly chapter readings.
  • Required: Students should read, view, or listen to the resource to prepare for a lecture, tutorial or other course work. 
  • Additional: Students may choose to read, view, or listen to the resource to expand their understanding of course content.

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Creative Commons Licence
Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License. Content from this Guide should be attributed to James Cook University Library. This does not apply to images, third party material (seek permission from the original owner) or any logos or insignia belonging to JCU or other bodies, which remain All Rights Reserved.

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