1

GAELIC SUMMER TRAINING CAMP15 NOVEMBER 2010

“LIBGUIDES @ WITS : INFOLIT THROUGH WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGY”

Xoliswa Xanko

Xoliswa XankoCommerce LibraryUniversity of the Witwatersrand

OVERVIEWSubject portals BackgroundMotivationElements of the subject portalLibguides Development at WitsReasons we changedElements of Wits LibguidesAdvantages and DisadvantagesExperiences, lessons learnt, & challengesConclusion

DefinitionsSubject Portal LibGuide

“An online gateway that helps users to quickly & efficiently find reliable scholarly subject based

information in one place”Source:

Http://www.polytechnic.edu.na/libray/search/alldept.php

“a content management tool allowing librarians to organise and present library collections and services to users in a customisable fashion using Web 2.0 applications” Source:

Libguides reviewed by Ellie Bushhousen, J Med Libr Assoc. Jan 2009

Motivation• Information overflow• Tight deadlines• Limited knowledge and awareness• Unstructured and ineffective searches• Increase in library web pages• Relevance of portals• Value add: Information literacy

Elements of the Subject Portal

• Assignments Reference Sources Indexes / Databases Locating Subject Journals Web Resources Writing and presenting your work Library Resources

Elements (cont…)

• Need Information? / Ask a Librarian Course Reserves Company Information Newspapers Current Awareness Statistics Other Libraries Guides and Tutorials

Subject Portals: Old Model

From Subject Portals To Libguides

• Reasons why we wanted changeAuthor access to guidesAll changes through WebmasterNeed of timely updatesLittle opportunity to innovateSingle scrolling page vs TabsUsage statistics

Libguides• Product from Springshare• 2009: Discussions to consider Libguides• March 2010: Trial access &

experimentation• April 2010: Funding finalised• May 2010: Subscription• June 2010: Training sessions for Librarians• July 2010: Libguides Team established

Development of Wits Libguides

• Libguides TeamDecision: Migrate elements and content of old Subject PortalsDevelop a Wits Library Libguides

Template for guidanceBalance standardisation and creativityDevelop checklist for Quality Control

Checklist for Quality Control

• Consistency tab names and order• Adjustments for disciplines• Colour & fonts• Use of Link boxes• Details of Librarian profile boxes

Elements of Wits Libguides

• Home• Library Services• Reference Sources• Electronic Resources • Need Help• Useful web links• Basic steps in the Research Process

Libguides

Libguides

Xoliswa Xanko 15

LIBGUIDES

ADVANTAGES• Tailor-made guides• Flexibility• No coding knowledge• Auto generated content• Easy to navigate• Ease of including dynamic

content and multimedia• Increased usage of electronic

resources

• Attachments• Comprehensive usage

statistics• Feedback Box• Create back-up files• Multiple authors• Subject knowledge• Libguides Team

LibGuidesDisadvantages

• Initial setup – time consuming• Intense & repeated training• Manual migration from old Portals to

Libguides• Not free

Libguides

• Experiences & Lessons Learnt

Team approach is betterBenchmarkingValue-addNew skills and competencies Input & feedbackSharing templates Used as course guides, readers advisory, etc

CHALLENGES• Target key academics• Positive relationship• Demos to Schools• Cross linking School websites and Libguides• Possibility for Classroom & Libguides integration • Regular updates• Student Training• Presentations

- Senate Library Committee, 2011

CONCLUSION• Libguides are an effective, efficient, user friendly

web 2.0 technology - a gateway to vast information resources

• What Libguides have done for Wits Personal gratificationSubject knowledgeIncreased usage of electronic resourcesInformation literate user

Thank you.Questions?