Using the Library Reading List Tool in Blackboard

Tips for UTSA faculty on using this self-service tool to manage course readings

Library Search

You can search for articles, books, e-books, videos, and other library materials using these options:

Please note that hard copies of books, DVDs, or personal items placed on Reserve at the Front Desk require additional processing time. The Library will reach out with any follow-up questions.

Click Add Items. 
                         Select Library Search. To find only full text online resources, leave "Include records without full text" unchecked. 

New Items

Use Blank Form to request new items in any format not owned by the library. Turnaround time varies from one day to several weeks. To ensure items will be available to your class on time, submit requests as early as possible. Once your request has been received, the Library will explore access options and acquire if available, communicating with you throughout the process.

Questions? Email libreserve@utsa.edu. 

Click Add Items.

Click Blank Form > You have the option of either uploading a file or filling out a form.

Batch Import & RIS Files

If you use Endnote, Zotero, or Mendeley, Library Quick Search, or other library databases, you can save selected citations, export those items as an RIS file, and then import that RIS file into Reading Lists.

Imported RIS files create persistent links to resources and are an efficient way to add multiple items quickly. 

                                                                                     Search Library Quick Search or your favorite database directly.  Save items to your session folder. 
  Once you’ve added all items, export the RIS file. The file should save to your downloads folder. 
Open the Library Reading List tool in your Blackboard course. Create a new reading list or open an existing list.
Click the Library Reading List Main navigation in the top left.
Select Collection
Select the ellipsis > Import. Drag or upload your RIS file into the pop-up window when prompted. Click Confirm. The batch import will start. Once import is complete, click Close.
Click an item and select View Online to access.

File Upload

If you have an individual reading item saved as a file on a computer, in SharePoint, Dropbox, or any other file storage service that you would like to add to your Reading List manually, follow these steps. Important: Add a file feature is for adding an individual reading only. To add multiple readings, see Batch Import & RIS Files, above.

Select Add Items >
                        Upload a File > Drag items to the upload box or browse for files. Reading Lists will scan files and extract citations. At times, Reading List may not be able to extract citations, but you can enter manually.

upload a file library reading list

Websites: Cite It!

 

                      

If you have open access readings or websites you’d like to add to course reading lists, use Cite It!, a bookmark you can add to your browser. 
                                                                 Once added, click Cite It! to add websites to your Reading Lists. View this file for a list of supported Cite It! Sites. Cite It! automatically saves the title, URL, and other details. Always check for accuracy when using Cite It!.

When you first open the Reading List feature in UTSA Blackboard Learn, the Cite It! window has a link to an explanatory video on installing the bookmarklet. Open the guide to view the video.  

Select Cite It! in the user menu.

Cite It bookmarklet

 

Drag the Cite It! button to your bookmarks. A list of supported sites displays in the Cite It! pane. Even if a website is not listed, the Cite It! bookmarklet will work as long as the citation information is easily identifiable to the bookmarklet.      

You must be logged in to UTSA Blackboard Learn and Reading Lists to use Cite It!. Cite It! will prompt you to log in if you have not already. 

When viewing a website with a resource that you would like to add to a reading list, select the Cite It! Bookmarklet. The Cite It! pane will appear.

This pane functions exactly like the pane you see in the right sidebar when manually adding a citation. After configuring the fields, either: 

  • Select Add to list, select reading list and section, and select Add & Close to add the resource. 

OR

  • Select Add to Collection and select Add & Close to add the resource as an item in My Collection.