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BI’s via LibGuides:All your eggs in one basket

Susan Whitmer Reference Specialist

University of North Texas

Cindy Batman Liaison Librarian to College of Information

University of North Texas

September 2013

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Objectives

• Demonstrate how subject guides enhance the instruction sessions

• Describe how guides employ economies of scale

• Present a user friendly guide that is navigable for new users

• Show complex and sophisticated content for advanced users

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The library user needs a space to find assistance

Photo: Pinterest.com

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Subject guides and class pages enhance the one-shot instruction session

• Guides relate to assignment requirements

• Guides are interactive: citation assistance, links to tutorials and workshops

• Instruction on demand meeting students at their location

• Online guides, prior to the current practice of guides, were static versions of paper guides (Gonzalez & Westbrock, 2010)

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The one-shot instruction session

• For research sources, students want an online one-stop shop at time of need (Wahl, Avery, and Henry, 2013)

Photo: Ball State University

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Guides employ economies of scale by maintaining content on one site instead of multiple locations

• Economies of scale: As the use of guides increases, the cost decreases

• A variety of online help points are combined into one central page

• Costs: Software, training, creating, maintaining

• Increase number of guides + increase of users = cost benefit to institution (Liu, 2012)

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LIS EOPe class page: A user-friendly instruction tool

Source: http://guides.library.unt.edu/liseop?hs=a

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Statistics for the LIS EOPe LibGuide

• The LIS End of Program Examination is given in February, June, and September

• Highest LibGuide usage is during the months of the exam

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Other user-friendly elements of LIS EOPe class page

• LibGuides can be printed

• Three clicks from UNT homepage: Class page Pull-down menu LIS End of Program Examination class page

• Easy to update, currency issues resolved

• Reusable boxes and pages

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Create sophisticated content for advanced users

• Embed media and widgets

• Add book covers and catalog records

• Upload podcasts

• Add images

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The virtual user connects to virtual assistance

Photo: Sunpack.com

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Interior of digital bookmobile

Photo: Sunpack.com

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Guide weaknesses

• The number of clicks to find guides

• Guides require maintenance

• Internet connection

Source: Delgado and May, 2010.

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Conclusion

• Guides reinforce library instruction, the content is delivered to the user

• Easy to navigate for new users, sophisticated tools for experienced users

• Librarians can update content in one location

• Users have one source for their research needs

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References

Batman, C. (2013). LIS End of Program Examination Class Page [LibGuide]. UNT Libraries,

Denton, TX. Retrieved from http://guides.library.unt.edu/liseop?hs=a

Delgado, L. & May, K. (April, 2010). Linking through LibGuides: Collaborating with faculty through

an adaptable teaching and marketing tool. Paper presented at the meeting of the Thirty-Eighth

National LOEX Library Instruction Conference, Dearborn, MI.

Gonzalez, A. C., & Westbrock, T. (2010). Reaching Out with LibGuides: Establishing a Working Set

of Best Practices. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 638-656.

doi:10.1080/01930826.2010.488941

Liu, L.G. (2012). The cost function and scale economies in academic research libraries. College &

Research Libraries, 63(5), 406-420. Retrieved from http://crl.acrl.org/

Wahl, D., Avery, B., & Henry, L. (2013). Studying distance students: Methods, findings, actions.

Journal of Library & Information Services, 7(1-2), 183-209. doi:10.1080/1533290X.2012.705656

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For additional information contact:

Susan Whitmer, 940-565-3980, susan.whitmer@unt.edu

Cindy Batman, 940-565-2044, cindy.batman@unt.edu

For more about the University of North Texas’ programs, collections, and initiatives, visit www.library.unt.edu