LibGuides @ BC: A New Generation of Research Guides

LibGuides @ BC: A New Generation of Research Guides

Ken Liss, Boston College Libraries

NELINET, October 19, 2007

Out with the old….

Nuts and Bolts: Implementing Web 2.0

LibGuides @ BC

….and in with the new


LibGuides @ BC


LibGuides @ BC

•The Old: Research Guides at Boston College

•The New: LibGuides @ BC

•The Transition: From Idea to Reality

•The Future: Next Steps

LibGuides @ BC: A New Generation of Research Guides


LibGuides @ BC

• Legacy of print pathfinders

• Text heavy

• Static format

• Single scrolling page

• No author access

• No timely updating

The Old: Research Guides at Boston College


LibGuides @ BC

• Flexible formatting

• Tabs and content boxes

• Images

• Easy author access

• Instant updating

LibGuides: Advantages


LibGuides @ BC

• Tagging

• Embedded RSS

• Embedded Video

• Chat Widgets

• User Comments

• User Ratings

• Facebook Access

LibGuides: 2.0 Features


LibGuides @ BC

LibGuides: 2.0 FeaturesRSS Tagging

Facebook Access

Chat

User Ratings


LibGuides @ BC

“We can only build emergent systems if we have radical trust. With an emergent system, we build something without setting in stone what it will be or trying to control all that it will be. We allow and encourage participants to shape and sculpt and be co-creators of the system.”- Darlene Fichter, University of Saskatchewan Libraries. “Library 2.0 and Radical Trust: A First Take,” Blog on the Side, April 6, 2006

Library 2.0 & Radical Trust

…for librarians, too!


LibGuides @ BC

Behind the Scenes: Adding Content


LibGuides @ BC

Behind the Scenes: Adding A Text Box


LibGuides @ BC

Behind the Scenes: Simple Web Link Box

Add a Link

Mouseover on Page to View Description

Edit Link Box

Rearrange Links


LibGuides @ BC

Behind the Scenes: Web Links With More Information


LibGuides @ BC

Behind the Scenes: Adding 2.0 Content


LibGuides @ BC

But What About….

• External hosting?

• Quality control?

• Workload?

• Design inconsistencies?

• Integration with Libraries Web site?

• Statistics & assessment?


LibGuides @ BC

The Transition: From Idea to Reality

June 2007 - LibGuides “discovered” in Facebook; demo account created; first guides built

July 2007 – Experimentation by small group; funding proposal submitted

Early August 2007 – Approval from library administration

August 2007 – Staff training; conversion/creation of 75 new guides

August 31, 2007 – Launch of LibGuides @ BC


LibGuides @ BC

The Transition: From Old to New

• Accounts created for all subject librarians

• Hands on training on LibGuides software

• Content from existing guides moved to LibGuides

• Cutting & pasting

• Converting guide sections to separate tabs

• Consolidating content where possible

• Fixing bad links, outdated descriptions, etc.

• Adding new features

• Coordinating with Webmaster

• Working with Springshare


LibGuides @ BC

The Future: Next Steps• Market and promote guides

• Clean up legacy content

• Move from conversion to innovation

• Make guides more interactive

• Take fuller advantage of LibGuides features

• Share best practices

• Balance standardization and creativity

• Integrate guides with new BC Libraries Web site

• Continue to work with Springshare to upgrade product


LibGuides @ BC

Links and Contact Info

LibGuides @ BC – http://libguides.bc.edu

About LibGuides @ BC – http://libguides.bc.edu/aboutlibguides

Other LibGuides Library Sites - http://demo.libguides.com/selectsite.php

Springshare LibGuides Page - http://www.springshare.com/libguides/index.html

Demo Accounts - http://www.springshare.com/libguides/demo.html

Ken Liss, Communication Librarian, Boston College

[email protected] | 617-552-2183 | Or find me in Facebook


LibGuides @ BC

QUESTIONS?

Ken Liss, Communication Librarian, Boston [email protected] | 617-552-2183 | Or find me in Facebook

LibGuides @ BC: A New Generation of Research Guides

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