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Reading Lists

What is digitisation?

The library provides a digitisation service that removes the need for module supervisors to upload their own scanned copies of readings to reading lists. The digitisation service also ensures that all reading list material at the university is compliant with copyright law. When you request a digitisation for a book chapter or journal article, we confirm that your request complies with copyright law and the library uploads a scan to the reading list. Once it is available on the reading list, the chapter/article is easily accessible for students.

Digitisations can only be made available through Talis reading lists and should not be uploaded to Moodle. Talis reading lists can be integrated into Moodle if you want your students to access their module resources through this platform.

The digitisation service is used to provide access to journal articles and book chapters that are otherwise unavailable via the library. After you have requested a digitisation, the library will let you know if we cannot fulfil your request. 

How to request a digitisation

To request a digitisation, select the icon with the three dots on the right-hand side of a bookmark on a reading list. Select 'Request digitisation' and fill in the information boxes as appropriate. 

The video below demonstrates this process:

What can I request?

Copyright law sets a limit on how much material from a book or journal can be made available through digitisation. The library is permitted to digitise up to:

  • 1 chapter or 10% of a book (whichever is greater)
  • 1 article per issue of a journal

This limit only applies to books and journals that are covered by the university's license with the Copyright Licensing Agency. If the book or journal you have requested is not covered, then the library can only provide a digitisation with explicit permission from the publisher. Where this is the case, we will contact you to discuss alternative options.

If you have any questions about digitisation please email libline@essex.ac.uk.

For more information about copyright regulations, please see our copyright FAQs.