The Library Website with a Face

Digitally Connecting to People Where They Are

IOLUG Fall Meeting – November 13, 2009

Richard BernierRose-Hulman Institute of Technology

bernier@rose-hulman.edu

Since most of this presentation was conducted live, the majority of these slides have been created to replicate the presentation as it was given.

Make yourself available to users wherever they in the research process

This means rethinking how we design our library websites

• Incorporate Web 2.0 technology

• Insert our own personal digital presence into it

WHY?

• Make a digital connection

• Make that connection more personal

Database sessions by students

2007-2008 school year

.

Dorms & Greek houses 41%

VPN Connections (Off Campus) 25%

Wireless (anywhere on campus) 13%

Library 11%

Library still has very high volume of traffic.

Typical library website, general info in one area, links to resources in another.We experimented with virtual reference from a commercial vendor, but with chat button only on the main page and not staff not always connected, usage was very low.

Once users get a level or two into the website, they are on their own.

Some that are outside of the library may find an email to ask for help, but most usually stop their research and come to the library to ask for help when they have the time.

Finding which librarian to ask for help can be confusing for users even at small colleges. At larger universities, it can be much more difficult.

Yes, you can see my job duties, but can I help you?

Enter LibGuides

By default, LibGuides enters the profile of the guide owner on every single guide page.

Since we only have two reference librarians, we placed both profiles on the home page of each guide.

We also created a help tab page on each guide that list all staff members that can provide immediate assistance

Each staff member states exactly what kind of assistance they can provide.

In addition to contact info, chat widgets allow for direct, immediate communication with that staff member.

Results

• As a result, virtual reference assistance went from a handful of questions a quarter to a handful per day.

• Most common questions can be answered easily this way. When higher level research help is needed, we can set a time for them to meet with us in the library where we can provide more in-depth assistance.

• Knowing most research was being done outside of the library, we know we have fulfilled an important need.

In addition to a chat widget, you can enter a variety of other information.

• Direct links to different networks such as instant direct messaging connections or Twitter

• Contact info

• You can create up to five custom text boxes to link to your other social networking sites.

In conclusion

Create a digital presence

Make yourself visible at the point of need

And your users will ask you for help where and when they need you

And you won’t be someone who is simply “over in the library.”