Improving the Teaching and Learning Experience for All

Flinders Library required a reading list solution that could report compliance with Australian copyright law.

The library also found that Leganto’s tight integration with its Alma system unlocked access to a wider variety of resources, gave instructors hands-on control over course readings, and had a positive impact on teaching and learning.

Located in Adelaide, South Australia, Flinders University is recognised as the fastest-growing research institution in Australia and has a strong focus on student experience. It is ranked #2 globally for reducing inequalities.

With 17,000 FTE students studying across six colleges, the library plays a central role in advancing student success by enhancing access to resources, expanding the use of Open Educational Resources, and deepening student engagement through information and AI literacy tools.

About Flinders University

Flinders University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience supported by innovative teaching practices and strong research outcomes. The library is a key partner in this mission, providing tools and services that improve accessibility, engagement, and academic success.

Case Study Findings

Student perspective: Time savings and a fuller view of course expectations

Prior to Leganto, the Library maintained a topic-based reading list solution that, from the perspective of both students and faculty, functioned primarily as a simple list of titles with limited functionality. Flinders student Linda Batten recalled that the previous system provided a weekly list of two or three readings that students had to locate themselves. Students could only access the list during the week of the lecture, making it difficult to plan ahead.

In 2018, after conducting a review of its requirements for a readings system—with the aim of integrating it into the learning management system, improving ease of use for both teaching staff and students, and streamlining compliance with Australian copyright legislation—the Library moved to the Leganto list management system from Ex Libris, part of Clarivate.

From the beginning, Batten noticed that the new system was notably different:

“It was super easy to use. With the old system, required readings had to be copied and pasted into the Flinders Library page to find them.”

The new system allows students to access readings directly within Canvas by checking each module and viewing the requirements for the week. Typically, there are eight to ten readings available through direct links, saving a significant amount of time. The full reading list for the entire semester is available from the start, enabling students to plan ahead and prepare for future assignments.

Faculty perspective: Applications beyond course-assigned readings

James Kane, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead for History at Flinders University, echoes Batten’s experience from the faculty perspective. He values the system’s ease of organisation, which simplifies planning readings for individual weeks. Kane also appreciates the ability to roll over reading lists from year to year and make adjustments as needed.

While many faculty members use the system primarily for weekly readings, Kane goes further by creating comprehensive research guides for his students. When developing a new course on the history of the Crusades, he explored the library’s resources in depth, compiling sections on reference materials, general histories, monographs, and journals. This approach not only supports weekly coursework but also provides students with a strong foundation for independent research.

Helen Carter, a faculty member in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and a lecturer in screen, film, and television, shares a similar experience. She uses Leganto to recommend supplementary readings on specific topics of interest, enhancing course assignments. Carter notes that students appreciate the clear topic layout and the ease of finding materials.

Big Advantages of Library Management System Integration

According to Renee Van Der Walt, Library Coordinator for Information Management Strategy, a key driver behind the move to Leganto was the need to meet reporting requirements mandated by the Australian Copyright Agency. Leganto met this requirement—and delivered additional benefits.

Before Leganto, copyright compliance was difficult to track and manage, leading to inefficiencies and potential legal risks. Leganto streamlines the copyright process by providing a centralised platform for managing permissions, ensuring compliance while reducing administrative workload.

The library evaluated three systems before selecting Leganto for its strong integration with the Alma library management system. Students can access resources quickly and place holds on books directly from reading lists. For lecturers, the system is quick and easy to use, supports a wide range of resource types—including websites and videos—organises readings by week, and gives instructors full control over how they curate their lists.

The library began with a 40-topic pilot in the first half of 2018, expanded Leganto to two colleges in the second half of the year, and rolled it out across the entire university in 2019. Ex Libris supported the migration by extracting metadata and resources from the previous reading list system, which contained approximately 600 courses.

Higher Engagement and Broader Services for Faculty

Sara Altmann, Senior Librarian on the Collection Strategy team, is responsible for managing the Leganto system. She notes that the introduction of Leganto has significantly streamlined administrative processes for both instructors and the library, reducing the need for constant communication and coordination.

When issues arise—such as a resource being removed from a platform—the library can quickly provide an alternative without involving academic staff. Students can also report broken links directly through Leganto, allowing the Library team to resolve issues promptly.

Van Der Walt adds that the Leganto–Alma integration has enabled a more systematic and practical approach to using copyrighted content in line with Australian legislation. Where the previous system often required the library to restrict access, Leganto now allows detailed reporting on digital files provided under copyright allowances. This visibility also helps the library identify high-use scans and ensure that eBook versions are available whenever possible, giving students access to complete resources.

Well Accepted by Instructors, Greater Depth for Students

Kane notes that adoption of the system within his college is almost universal and credits Leganto as a positive and efficient technological implementation.

Altmann believes one of Leganto’s greatest strengths is the student experience. Because it is embedded directly within Canvas, students encounter it naturally as part of their learning workflow. Reading links are always visible within each module, making them easy to find regardless of where students are in the course.

From the student perspective, Batten highlights that Leganto offers more than convenience. She has noticed greater variety and depth in course readings, along with useful features such as citation-copying tools and reading checklists.