Introduction toIntroduction to

LibGuides LibGuides

What is it?What is it?

Web 2.0 application designed for librariesWeb 2.0 application designed for libraries

Customized web pages Customized web pages research guidesresearch guides forum for sharing ideas/resources/best forum for sharing ideas/resources/best

practicespractices

LibGuidesLibGuides Home Page Home Page http://http://springshare.com/libguides/index.htmlspringshare.com/libguides/index.html

Provides an overview of the product and Provides an overview of the product and a videoa video

Whose using this Whose using this application?application? LibGuidesLibGuides Community Community

http://libguides.com/community.php?m=i&ref=community.libguides.comhttp://libguides.com/community.php?m=i&ref=community.libguides.com

Just under 1000 libraries worldwideJust under 1000 libraries worldwide

K-12, community colleges, universities, public K-12, community colleges, universities, public libraries, special librarieslibraries, special libraries

Do a search by library type or locationDo a search by library type or location

What Led What Led Western Reserve Western Reserve

Academy Academy to LibGuides?to LibGuides?

Reason #1:Reason #1: Looking for an Looking for an EASYEASY way to consolidate research way to consolidate research

information and resources into one format that librarians information and resources into one format that librarians could manage and monitor usage:could manage and monitor usage: Before: Information for a research project was provided in Before: Information for a research project was provided in

different formats different formats Library web pagesLibrary web pages

Updates had to be done by tech deptUpdates had to be done by tech dept Time factor – not instantaneousTime factor – not instantaneous

Paper pathfindersPaper pathfinders Students would leave behind or loseStudents would leave behind or lose

Moodle – classroom management databaseMoodle – classroom management database Not user friendlyNot user friendly

Teachers would have to add librarians as co-teachers or Teachers would have to add librarians as co-teachers or Librarians have to set up classesLibrarians have to set up classes Neither teachers or students utilizing this option wellNeither teachers or students utilizing this option well

Before: No way to track student usageBefore: No way to track student usage

LibGuides Solution LibGuides Solution #1#1

Information provided in one formatInformation provided in one format with links to all types of with links to all types of resources (documents, catalog, research databases, web links)resources (documents, catalog, research databases, web links)

Easy access to web pages (no passwords)Easy access to web pages (no passwords) Intranet down, can still accessIntranet down, can still access

Updates done by library staffUpdates done by library staff Updates easy to do and instantaneousUpdates easy to do and instantaneous No imposition on tech dept.No imposition on tech dept.

Handouts/pathfinder onlineHandouts/pathfinder online Students can read online or print out information Students can read online or print out information Students who miss class can catch upStudents who miss class can catch up

Statistical component to track usage availableStatistical component to track usage available

Reason #2:Reason #2: Looking for a way to incorporate Web Looking for a way to incorporate Web

2.0 technology into library program2.0 technology into library program

Easy transition into Web 2.0Easy transition into Web 2.0

Offer a format students would be more likely Offer a format students would be more likely to use since it’s on the webto use since it’s on the web

Demonstrate professional developmentDemonstrate professional development

LibGuides Solution LibGuides Solution #2:#2:

Provides a Web 2.0 solutionProvides a Web 2.0 solution Smooth transition--extremely user friendly and easy Smooth transition--extremely user friendly and easy

to administer to administer LibGuides Technical Support—responsive and LibGuides Technical Support—responsive and

knowledgeableknowledgeable

Our experience so far—students and faculty are Our experience so far—students and faculty are using and responding favorablyusing and responding favorably Students using off campusStudents using off campus

Demonstrates willingness to develop professionallyDemonstrates willingness to develop professionally

Reason #3:Reason #3: PR: Looking for a way to increase PR: Looking for a way to increase

positive image and visibility to library positive image and visibility to library programprogram

Get faculty and students engagedGet faculty and students engaged Show school community you are “cutting Show school community you are “cutting

edge”edge” Provide a program students will likely Provide a program students will likely

use in the futureuse in the future

LibGuides Solution LibGuides Solution #3#3

Positive feedback from administrators, Positive feedback from administrators, faculty and studentsfaculty and students

Visibility with other librariesVisibility with other libraries Selling point for school: offering Selling point for school: offering

something students will use in college something students will use in college Several Ohio colleges/universities use Several Ohio colleges/universities use

LibGuidesLibGuides

Reason #4:Reason #4: Looking for ways to be environmentally Looking for ways to be environmentally

friendly and time efficientfriendly and time efficient Reduce paper handoutsReduce paper handouts

Save staff time making handoutsSave staff time making handouts

Quick, cost-effective, and green way Quick, cost-effective, and green way to prepare/update handouts and linksto prepare/update handouts and links

LibGuides Solution #4LibGuides Solution #4

Majority of materials now online - Majority of materials now online - greengreen Paper usage drastically reducedPaper usage drastically reduced Copy machine used lessCopy machine used less When written materials needed, make only When written materials needed, make only

class copies which can be re-usedclass copies which can be re-used

Time SavingsTime Savings Clerical Clerical Instructional preparationInstructional preparation

Can quickly put together a guide for a class, esp. with Can quickly put together a guide for a class, esp. with creation of a “core guide”creation of a “core guide”

Potential Potential Negatives:Negatives:

When Internet is down – no accessWhen Internet is down – no access

Cost - $600 Cost - $600 (K-12 annual subscription)(K-12 annual subscription)

Time for initial learning curveTime for initial learning curve

Minimal set-up with tech dept.Minimal set-up with tech dept.

LibGuide DemoLibGuide Demo Show a sample guideShow a sample guide Re-create portions in a new guideRe-create portions in a new guide Show how to:Show how to:

Add Add text text Add Add documents/filesdocuments/files Add Add web linksweb links Add Add book linksbook links Embed a Embed a videovideo Copy Copy information from one guide to another information from one guide to another

Access to WRA Access to WRA LibGuidesLibGuides http://library.wra.net/library/index.cfmhttp://library.wra.net/library/index.cfm

In Quick Links box, click on LibGuidesIn Quick Links box, click on LibGuides Access to Ong Library LibGuides HomepageAccess to Ong Library LibGuides Homepage