Talis Aspire at Murdoch
University
Helen Bronleigh
Talis Aspire Project Manager

Background
• Current model:
• eReserve: Repository for all digitized text-
based copyright materials required for
student course work
• Unit reserve list: items in Reserve or
eReserve
• LMS reading list: all other material, may
include links to Reserve and eReserve.

Problems
• Students have multiple reading lists with limited
integration
• Out-dated management system for Reserve and
eReserve
• Manual process for checking copyright compliance
• Manual submission of requests
• Limited options for sorting or grouping readings
• Time consuming and complex for academic staff
and library staff

Requirements
We want a system which provides:
• Easy way for academic staff to create and
manage their own reading lists
• Easier management of copyright compliance
• Improved experience for students and academic
staff.

Talis Aspire project status
• Approval to purchase Talis Aspire Reading Lists
and Digitised Content in late October 2014
• Base tenancy setup and configuration completed
December 2014
• Going live with a pilot group of academic staff for
Semester One 2015

Approach
• Get academic staff involved in creating reading
lists from the start.
• Create reading lists from scratch – no bulk
import
• Subject librarians to be the primary avenue of
support

The Pilot
• Targeted 2 academics from each school = 16
• 11 current participants covering most
schools
• Difficulties of recruiting at end of year just
prior to Christmas shutdown. Some not
available in January.
• Expectation: At least one unit from each
academic for Semester One 2015

Training
• 2 days on site training
• Half day training for academic staff
• Subject librarians involved in training
academics – one on one support.

Lessons and issues
• Metadata is a mystery to many
• Bookmarking from Summon doesn’t always work
• Keep teaching time periods broad
• Digitised Content workflows

Objectives for 2015
• Integrate Reading Lists with Moodle
• Original goal: roll out to all units for Semester 2
2015. Too optimistic!!!
• Now: All first year units live for Semester 2, with
full implementation for Semester 1 2016

Next challenge
Achieving University wide adoption of Talis
Aspire