ReadingLists@UCL

To add an item to a reading list, from Explore the library catalogue, the recommended method is to use the 'Talis extension' installed on your browser. This is not only the easiest way to add items, but items added from Explore are those already available in the library. Follow the instructions below or watch the video on the right panel.

On this page:

• New bookmarking workflow (from November 3rd)
• Add a print book
• Add e-books or e-journal articles
• Choose between Create and Create and Add to List

To begin with go to the Explore homepage. You may need to sign in to access some resources.

From November 3rd, we will be using the new Talis bookmarking workflow and you will notice some changes. Bookmark your resource as usual using the green Talis bookmark button, which you probably have pinned to right of your browser url bar.

When Talis pulls through the metadata, the screen will immediately display all the metadata, similar to what you see on the reading list edit metadata screen.

Click the “Save in My Bookmarks” button.  If you have problems when bookmarking the item, you can use the “Classic” bookmarking workflow, but please note this will be switched off in early Jan 2026. You can find the classic bookmarking workflow on the blue banner where it says "Having problems" (left on the blue banner) and to the right of the blue banner it says "Use the classic bookmarking form". 

After selecting “Save in My Bookmarks,” the metadata is automatically retrieved. The screen will look similar to how it looks on the reading list metadata screen. You can either search for the list you want to add it to or choose from the suggested options provided by Talis. Review the metadata to ensure accuracy.

In the example shown for an e-book, the relevant metadata has been successfully captured, and the “Available Online” buttons are visible.

Once you have selected your list, you will then be invited to add  –

• Importance levels
• The position of item on list
• library or student notes

When all done, click Finish

After clicking Finish, you will receive a “success” notification and you will see two links – either to back to your reading list, or a link to go back to your resource. When you click "Go to the reading list",  to check the item is there, you will see that it will have been bookmarked at the point you have chosen.

• Enter your search in the search box.
• To narrow your results: select ‘Library Catalogue’ from the drop-down menu.

• From the list of results, select the book you want to add to your reading list.

• Click on the title and a new dialogue window, with the information about the book, will open.

• Click on the Talis extension icon on your browser, new page will open showing the item's metadata. You will see a number of fields with the information about the book i.e. author, title, publisher etc. etc.

• Check that all the fields are filled correctly then you have two options:
  • Click 'Create' to add the item to your list of bookmarks or
  • Click 'Create and Add to List' if you are working on a list and want to add the item to that specific list.

You can use the Talis extension to bookmark e-books and e-journal articles in the same way as you bookmark a print book, as illustrated above.

• On Explore search for the resource you want to add. Then click View Online a new dialogue window will open.
• Under View online you might see a list of one or more online platforms, select one and you will be redirected to the online landing page for the e-book or the e-journal article of your chosen platform.

• Click on the Talis extension icon on your browser to bookmark the resource. As for the print book, a new page will open showing the item's metadata. In this case you will see a web address in the web address field and the Online Resource box ticked.

• Click 'Create' to add the item to your list of bookmarks or
• Click 'Create and Add to List' if you are working on a list and want to add the item to that specific list.

When you bookmark an item you will see two options: 'Create' and 'Create and Add to List'.

• Select ‘Create' if you only want to bookmark an item and then decide later in which section of a reading list you want to add the item.
• Select 'Create and Add to list’ if you are working on a list, want to add an item in a specific section and you bookmark as you go along.
• Once you have selected 'Create and Add to list’ the dialogue box below will appear

Use the drop-down menu to select the list you want to add the item to.

Then under 'Sections' use the drop-down menu to select in which section of your list you want the item to appear.

At this stage you can also decide if you want the item to be placed at the top or at the bottom of the chosen section.

Finally assign the 'Importance' to the item: Essential, Recommended or Optional.

You can also add information or instructions i.e. 'Read first paragrah' about the reading in the 'Note for students' box.

You can also use the Library note box to request the purchase or digitisation of an item.

If you want any changes you've made to your list to be visible to students and request that the Library order any new resources you've added, you will need to Publish your list again. Click on the Publish button, at the top or bottom right of your list.