Using LibGuides as a Web 2.0 Content Management System & Collaboration Tool for Engineering Librarians
Richard Bernier –
ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Louisville, KY
June 23, 2010
What is Library 2.0?
• “Any service, physical or virtual, that successfully reaches users, is evaluated frequently, and makes use of customer input” – Michael Casey
• Integration of Web 2.0 services into a traditional library environment
• Two-way flow of information allowing users to contribute to the knowledge base for other users.
• Read-write environment for the user
Why Create a Web 2.0 Environment?
• College students already conduct most of their time online in a Web 2.0 environment.
• If we are going to serve them online, we must do so in the online environment that they are already in.
• Direct user-librarian interaction at the point of need.
Enter LibGuides
• First and foremost, it is a content management system designed specifically for libraries with Web 2.0 features built-in.
– Subject guides setup by individual librarians – can be co-authored by others
– Numerous box types allow for a multitude of different content (Simple Links, links with pop-up balloons, embedded video, RSS feeds, Rich text / Dynamic Content / Scripts, podcast feeds, etc.)
Web 2.0 Features
Users can:• Suggest resources• Rate resources• Leave comments • Communicate directly with librarians via
chat widgets• Sign up for RSS feeds• Receive email updates about new guides
published
Web 2.0 Features it Lacks
• Users can not create their own accounts to customize for their own purposes-
– Can not communicate with other users or librarians through their own profile.
– All interaction is anonymous.
What a complete Library 2.0 System might look like
OPAC Integration
Subject Guides
Database Authentication
Single Log-in for users
E-Reserves
Communication with staff / other users
Personal Observations
• Very high usage of the Guides• Chat widget feature is highly used.
Accounts for approximately 1/3 of our reference questions.
• Almost no usage of the comments or link suggestion features.
• The star rating feature is used somewhat but multiple links to the same database do not share ratings from page to page.
LibGuides as a Collaboration Tool via LibGuides Community
• LibGuides Community Site – browse or search guides to discover new resources.– Can copy links, boxes or complete guides
• 92,936 guides by 21,387 librarians at 1,401 libraries worldwide
SpringShare Lounge
SpringShare also has a support blog and Twitter account
Other SpringShare products expanding Library 2.0 capability
• Campus Guides• LibAnswers• Scholar Guides
CampusGuides
• LibGuides– Library Subject Guides– (2 levels of accounts, Admins, Librarians)
• Campus Guides
– Library systemLibrariesSubject Guides– (3 levels of accounts, 3rd could be students
or faculty)– ePortfolio feature - 90% done
– Future enhancements will allow administrators to define permissions to different levels with greater granularity
LibAnswers
• A highly functional frequently asked questions reference tool and knowledge-base– Users can ask questions
• Previously answered questions will pop up as they type the question
– Unanswered questions go into an unanswered questions queue which can be answered by a librarian and added to the knowledgebase
• Avoids repetitive questions such as “How do I find out if you have a particular journal?
ScholarGuides
• Will be revealed at the end of this month
• A guide about a person – faculty member, researcher, anyone on campus.
• Boxes would describe their education, awards, publications, etc.
Conclusion
• Just over ten years ago we redefined our definition of a library– No longer confined by physical location -
resources available online• This has grown in sophistication
• We are now in another major transition- its not just in how we make resources available, but how we present these resources and communicate with our users.
Richard BernierReference & Electronic Services Librarian
[email protected] http://sites.google.com/site/richb72/