Hofstra University became the first customer to adopt Talis CourseFlow as a replacement for its legacy course reserves system. By modernizing course resourcing workflows, the library has improved student access to learning materials, strengthened copyright compliance and supported a more sustainable, digital-first approach to teaching and learning.
Institutional background
Hofstra University is a higher education institution based in Hempstead, New York, offering undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student population. The university has a vibrant campus community and supports close collaboration between students and faculty through a 13:1 student–faculty ratio.
With a strong focus on teaching and student support, the university works to ensure students can access the resources they need to succeed. The library plays a central role in this work, supporting the delivery of affordable, copyright-compliant course materials and digital resources.
The challenge
Hofstra’s previous course reserves system had been in place for many years and was no longer well suited to a modern teaching environment. Library staff and faculty were challenged by outdated workflows that fragmented access to materials and made it harder to support digital-first and blended learning.
Course readings were spread across multiple platforms and formats, creating inconsistent experiences for students and increasing administrative workload.
Reporting and copyright management also presented challenges. Tracking usage, managing licenses and maintaining compliance required significant manual effort, limiting visibility and increasing operational risk. As teaching practices continued to evolve, it became clear that the existing system no longer met institutional requirements.
Decision to modernize
Hofstra began evaluating alternatives that could support long-term digital teaching and learning while integrating with core library systems.
The library was looking for a cloud-based, scalable platform that could integrate with Canvas and OCLC WorldShare, support licensed library resources, open educational resources (OER) and web-based content, providing robust copyright compliance and reporting.
Rather than simply replacing an existing system, the aim was to establish a sustainable foundation for managing course materials.
Selecting Talis CourseFlow
Talis CourseFlow met Hofstra’s technical, operational and academic requirements for a modern course resourcing system. The platform provides a faculty-friendly interface that simplifies list creation and management, while integrating with established library systems.
In particular, the integration with OCLC WorldShare ensures course materials workflows connect seamlessly with Hofstra’s existing library infrastructure, supporting smoother communication between course resourcing, collections and library operations.
Talis CourseFlow supports streamlined bookmarking from library catalogs, databases, open educational resources (OER) and web sources, enabling flexible list organization. Integration with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) also provides structured permissions management and reporting, giving the library confidence in long-term compliance.
Together, these capabilities allow faculty to build and maintain reading lists independently, while giving the library oversight of access and copyright compliance. Sarah E. McCleskey, Vice Dean for Administrative and User Services at Hofstra University Library, explained that the platform aligned closely with both teaching and operational priorities:
“We selected Talis CourseFlow because it met all of our requirements for a modern course resourcing system. It’s cloud-based, user-friendly, integrates with Canvas and the Copyright Clearance Center, and supports access to both online and digitized materials.”
Implementation and early momentum
Hofstra migrated from its legacy course reserves system to Talis CourseFlow through a structured implementation process supported by the library. Library staff worked closely with early adopters to provide training and encourage independent list creation.
Faculty were supported with guidance on organizing content and using bookmarking tools to source materials from library holdings, OER and other web-based content.
During the early stages of adoption, interest in the platform grew across departments and among new users. Faculty increasingly managed their own lists, reducing reliance on manual processes and improving consistency for students. Reflecting on early engagement, Sarah E. McCleskey highlighted the practical benefits for both academic and library teams:
“Faculty especially value the bookmarking and list organization features, while the reporting tools give the library clear visibility into usage and copyright compliance.”
Managing copyright and compliance
A key benefit of Talis CourseFlow for Hofstra has been improved oversight of copyright and licensing permissions delivered through the Course Reserves add‑on module. Integration with the Copyright Clearance Center enables streamlined permissions management and structured reporting.
Library staff now have clearer visibility into how digitized and licensed materials are used across courses, supporting compliance and organizational agility. Combined with usage data and system reporting, this provides a stronger evidence base for decision-making around collections, licensing and course resourcing.
Looking ahead
Hofstra plans to continue expanding the use of Talis CourseFlow across programs and departments, building on early faculty engagement and adoption.
Over time, the platform is expected to support wider institutional priorities around affordability, open educational resources and equitable access to learning materials, helping ensure that students can engage with required content regardless of format or financial background.
By modernizing course resourcing, Hofstra has established a scalable, sustainable and procurement-safe foundation that aligns with library infrastructure, supports compliance and meets long-term digital teaching needs.
Discover how Talis CourseFlow supports academic libraries in improving access to course materials, strengthening copyright compliance and supporting digital-first teaching.
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