24/7 Librarianship: Reaching
patrons with digital tutorials
Marcia Dority Baker
Schmid Law Library,
University of Nebraska College of
Law
Information around the clock
• Library resources used more than ever
• Customers need info beyond library hours
• Digital information can be retrieved anytime
• Reliable information from a local source
What is a digital tutorial?
• Anything you want it to be!
• A “how-to” guide
• Directions from A to B
IN or OUT of the library
• Get the word out
• Promote, educate and share
• What do customers ask about?
• What do you want customers to know about?
Demonstrate Library Services
• How to renew library material & place holds
• Use self-check machine
• Story time info and schedule
• Bookmobile service
Provide Database Instruction
• Highlight new library databases
• Walk customers through database search
• Provide in-depth guide on search features
• How to save searches, export citations
Teach Information Literacy
• Plagiarism review & explanation
• Resources for specific class or subject area
• MLA or APA citation help
• How to evaluate print & digital information
Explain Internet Information
• Evaluating digital information
• Citing blogs, wikis and other digital info
• Basic searching vs. in-depth
• WWW and the deep Web
Expand Library Outreach
• “Open” board meetings
• Summer Reading programs
• English as a Learning Language (ELL)
• Any _______ Book/Read week promo
Let’s Get Started!
• What is the goal or end result?
• “How-to” do what?
• Why?
Content(ment)
• To go from A to B, we need directions
• Good directions
= content customers
Tell them what you told them
• Summarize the content
• Has goal been met?
• Links to relevant application or FAQs
• Self contained - provide feedback opportunity
How to cite a blog?!
• “Ethical Use of Information” or how to cite a
blog or info from a blog
• Digital tutorial created for Library Use
Instruction class, part of MLS class work
Brainstorm!
Time to brainstorm ideas for your
library’s digital tutorial!
• Library services
• Special events
• Programs
Considerations
Digital Tutorial
Budget Your Time
• “Double the time, cost and manpower”
• First time is trial run
• Staff time, technology time, creativity time
“Can we take it home?!”
• Who or what will host the tutorial?
• Ask for permission & respect copyright
• Ask questions
Technology
• Use what is free!
• What does the library have?
• Local help, can staff manage?
“Devil in the details”
• Track what works & does not
• Read script out loud – practice!
• Edit, edit, edit
• Find outside eyes
Have Fun!
• Opportunity to be creative!
• Build relationship with customers
• Showcase staff talents & library technology
• Promote library!
Resources• Apple’s imovie or Window’s Movie Maker
• http://www.mediacollege.com/video/ How to guides
• http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/archives/tutorials.jsp JSTOR
tutorials
• http://www.bccls.bc.ca/cms/index.cfm?group_id=86163 BC Courthouse
Library Research videos
• http://mashable.com/2008/02/21/screencasting-video-tutorials/
Screencasting
• http://labnol.blogspot.com/2005/05/screencasting-to-help-your-
mom.html Screencasting
• http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ Video editing
software review
• http://mashable.com/2008/10/22/how-to-master-screencasts/
Screencasting
• www.YouTube.com Videos