Introduction to LibGuides

What is it?  Web 2.0 application designed for libraries  Customized web pages  research guides  forum for sharing ideas/resources/best practices

 LibGuides Home Page LibGuides Home Page LibGuides Home Page   Provides an overview of the product and a video

Whose using this application?  LibGuides Community LibGuides Community LibGuides Community   Just under 1000 libraries worldwide  K-12, community colleges, universities, public libraries, special libraries  Do a search by library type or location

What Led Western Reserve Academy to LibGuides?

Reason #1:  Looking for an EASY way to consolidate research information and resources into one format that librarians could manage and monitor usage:  Before: Information for a research project was provided in different formats  Library web pages  Updates had to be done by tech dept  Time factor – not instantaneous  Paper pathfinders  Students would leave behind or lose  Moodle – classroom management database  Not user friendly  Teachers would have to add librarians as co-teachers or  Librarians have to set up classes  Neither teachers or students utilizing this option well  Before: No way to track student usage

LibGuides Solution #1  Information provided in one format with links to all types of resources (documents, catalog, research databases, web links)  Easy access to web pages (no passwords)  Intranet down, can still access  Updates done by library staff  Updates easy to do and instantaneous  No imposition on tech dept.  Handouts/pathfinder online  Students can read online or print out information  Students who miss class can catch up  Statistical component to track usage available

Reason #2:  Looking for a way to incorporate Web 2.0 technology into library program  Easy transition into Web 2.0  Offer a format students would be more likely to use since it’s on the web  Demonstrate professional development

LibGuides Solution #2:  Provides a Web 2.0 solution  Smooth transition--extremely user friendly and easy to administer  LibGuides Technical Support—responsive and knowledgeable  Our experience so far—students and faculty are using and responding favorably  Students using off campus  Demonstrates willingness to develop professionally

Reason #3:  PR: Looking for a way to increase positive image and visibility to library program  Get faculty and students engaged  Show school community you are “cutting edge”  Provide a program students will likely use in the future

LibGuides Solution #3  Positive feedback from administrators, faculty and students  Visibility with other libraries  Selling point for school: offering something students will use in college  Several Ohio colleges/universities use LibGuides

Reason #4:  Looking for ways to be environmentally friendly and time efficient  Reduce paper handouts  Save staff time making handouts  Quick, cost-effective, and green way to prepare/update handouts and links

LibGuides Solution #4  Majority of materials now online - green  Paper usage drastically reduced  Copy machine used less  When written materials needed, make only class copies which can be re-used  Time Savings  Clerical  Instructional preparation  Can quickly put together a guide for a class, esp. with creation of a “core guide”

Potential Negatives:  When Internet is down – no access  Cost - $600 (K-12 annual subscription)  Time for initial learning curve  Minimal set-up with tech dept.

LibGuide Demo  Show a sample guide  Re-create portions in a new guide  Show how to:  Add text  Add documents/files  Add web links  Add book links  Embed a video  Copy information from one guide to another

 Access to WRA LibGuides Access to WRA LibGuides Access to WRA LibGuides   In Quick Links box, click on LibGuides  Access to Ong Library LibGuides Homepage