In the Winter 2020 semester, the Library launched a new reading list service, Ex Libris’ Leganto, that works with the Library’s Quick Find system and integrates with the University’s learning management system (UR Courses) to seamlessly deliver course materials to students. The reading lists service is another pillar in the Library’s commitment to making course material costs more affordable for students. By leveraging the Library’s holdings, the reading lists service can help support student success by increasing the discoverability and enhancing the delivery of low-cost or no-cost course materials.

Faculty and staff can quickly search the Library’s holdings and find course materials such as electronic journal articles, ebooks, and streaming videos that are already licensed by the Library to include in online readings lists. The readings lists templates have a consistent and straightforward user interface that allow faculty to create their own reading lists and lets students easily find their course materials in one location from on or off campus. The reading listsservice has also assisted in the delivery of course materials to students as the University had to transition rapidly to a remote learning environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This service has also had a positive impact on internal workflows and the delivery of Library services. Tasks such as requests for the purchase of new items for library reserves, requests for the digitization of print materials, and copyright compliance activities can now be performed directly in one system, instead of by multiple systems and online or print forms, and tasks can still be performed by library staff working remotely. This reduces the number of steps involved in fulfilling these activities, facilitates greater communication between library staff, and provides an improved user experience for faculty and students.