The Catalog The Homepage vs. Best Practices in Connecting to Online Resources Georgia Briscoe, University of Colorado Law Library Karen Selden, University of Colorado Law Library Cheryl Nyberg, University of Washington Gallagher Law Library
Choices 1.Icon 2.Link on Library Homepage 3.Link on Library OPAC
Choices 4.Catalog Electronic Resource 5.Catalog Each Item in the Electronic Resource 6.Create Lists of Electronic Resources
Access Via the Catalog Pros & Cons Karen Selden University of Colorado Law Library
Pros 1.Catalog Provides Many Access Points 2.Electronic Resources Enhance the Collection
Pros 3.“One Stop” Access for All Library Resources 4.Patrons Do Use the Catalog
Cons 1.Increased Workload for Tech Services Staff 2.Link Checking and URL Maintenance
Cons 3.Limitations of the MARC Format 4.Patrons Won’t Use the Catalog
Recommendations 1.Know Your Patrons & Do What’s Best for Them 2.Access Is Not an Either / Or Proposition
Recommendations 3.Consider Your Staffing Situation 4.Try Creative Solutions 5.Don’t Be Overwhelmed
Access Via the Homepage Cheryl Nyberg Gallagher Law Library University of Washington
Appreciation Facing Challenges Creatively Working Constantly to Improve Embracing Change
More Thanks Theresa Knier Administrative Assistant Gallagher Law Library
Symbols & Meanings Cat –Mysterious –Hard to Understand –Worth the Effort Log = Tree –Roots of Research –Organic –Branching Out
Symbols & Meanings Homepage –Writing Is on the Wall –Valuable Real Estate –Remodel as Needed
Catalog Woes Bound by Rules Change Is Costly “Known Item” Limitation Training Intensive
Good Library Users Think Like a Lawyer Librarian
Catalog Wish List One Record Live Links Index Links Consistency Bluebook Abbreviations
Homepage Pros First Stop No Rules Customizable Easily Changed
Think Outside the Bun Focus on Users’ Needs & Behaviors Customize Don’t Be a Slave to the Alphabet
Options Homepage How-To’s Legal Research Guides FAQs News
Homepage Location No Jargon Cluster by Type
Plain Language Avoid –Licensed –Subscription –JSTOR Use –Full-Text –Indexes
Cluster by Type Full-Text Indexes Legal Nonlegal Cross-List
Legal Research Guides Instructional Specific to Subject or Process Motivated Users
FAQs & News Familiar Format “New to You” Current Events
Worst Practices List Only in Alphabetic Order Provide Names Without Descriptions
ELLVIS Electronic Law Library & Virtual Information Service
Examples of Best Practices Karen Selden & Cheryl Nyberg
Los Alamos National Laboratory Research Library ejournals/ejournals.htm
University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville
University of California, San Diego, Libraries index.html
Physics (via ROGER)
SUBJECT
electronic journals physics
University of Saskatchewan Library subjects.phtml
University of Minnesota LUMINA: Digital Library Gateway
By Type of Material
By Subject
Conclusions “Fast Access Beautifully” Tailor to Your Library Situation
Conclusions Sometimes Technology Is the Determining Factor No Right or Wrong Answers
Conclusions Best Practices Are Beginning to Emerge Respond to Changing Trends
Conclusions Redundancy Is Good Catalog & Homepage Share a Common Goal
Conclusions Rules vs. No Rules Access Do It Well
Finally Be &
Slideshow & Handout /_cheryl/cathome.htm