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SubjectsPlus @ NUST Library
Remote presentation to the EIFL GAMinsk, Belarus26 June 2011
Amos KujengaSystems AnalystNUST Library
Bulawayo, [email protected]@gmail.com
Helping library users to discover e-resources through
subject-themed guides
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Introduction
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was established in 1990 through an Act of Parliament. It is state-owned and is located in the city of Bulawayo.
NUST Library is the institution’s hub of academic activity. Having three branch libraries, it serves a student population of about 4500.
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NUST Library Vision
To be one of the top class academic Libraries in Zimbabwe, utilising new and emerging technologies in the provision of service and information to the University community.
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NUST Library Mission
The NUST Library exists to provide all staff and students with information resources using state of the art tools and methods in support of the University’s mission.
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Project Justification
NUST Library subscribes to a number of online resources mainly through the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC) arrangements.
Efforts have been made to improve the usage of these resources through, for example, an on-going, on-demand Information Literacy Skills (ILS) training programme and other initiatives.
Challenges of users having to navigate throughout the website to get to the best resource for the particular Patron’s needs is one reason for the little usage of these resources.
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Project Justification
Guided search has proven to be a key solution to this problem.
Guided search software helps ease the job of the Twenty-First Century Subject Librarian by giving them an easy platform to assist Patrons.
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Subject Librarians
Subject Librarians are library staff members who have been formally assigned to be the primary contact persons between the library and the faculties and/or academic departments.
They are sometimes referred to as Subject Specialists, Library Liaison Officers, or Faculty Librarians.
They are expected to understand the information needs and scholarly communication patterns of assigned disciplines.
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Subject Librarians
At NUST Library this role is played by Assistant Librarians
One assigned for each of the faculties:Applied SciencesBuilt EnvironmentCommerceCommunication & Information ScienceIndustrial TechnologyMedicine
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Subject Librarians
Collection development and organisationProvision of subject-specific reference and
information servicesProvision of subject-oriented library
instructionManning the HelpDeskLibrary orientation for new students
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Subject Librarians
Their role in the selection of electronic resources is not just important for ‘paid-for’ resources (Pinfield, 2001).
Increasingly, Subject Librarians are required to identify free web resources which may be of interest to users.
Due to low Information Literacy Skills (ILS) levels, many users find the array of resources available on the Internet to be confusing and daunting.
Subject Librarians are well placed to locate and evaluate quality resources. This involves maintaining an awareness of key web finding aids and gateways as well as sites with actual subject content.
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Software Options
Option For more Information...
LibData http://libdata.sourceforge.net/
LibGuides http://www.springshare.com/libguides/
Library a la carte http://alacarte.library.oregonstate.edu/
MyLibrary http://mylibrary.library.nd.edu/
ResearchGuide http://researchguide.sourceforge.net/
SubjectsPlus http://www.subjectsplus.com/
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What is SubjectsPlus?
In summary, SubjectsPlus is an Open Source set of tools aimed at enhancing a library website. It provides facilities to dynamically manage a library’s subject, course, and topic guides.
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SubjectsPlus FeaturesDatabase-driven (uses MySQL)Open Source - freely availableIncludes:
Subject or Course GuidesA-Z List of DatabasesFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Suggestion Box (or Talkback)Staff List
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Why SubjectsPlus?Easy to use
Easy to install and configure Good for low-technical support environments NUST Library intends to train personnel from peer institutions
Subject Librarians can be given access to easily create and update Subject Guides
Empowers the Knowledge Workers, giving them full control of the site contents
Content Management architecture means that, e.g., changing a web address just has to be made in one place
Free/Open Source Customisable NUST Library promotes the use of FOSS
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Why SubjectsPlus?Includes Library 2.0 features
RSS FeedsBookmarking
Growing user communityActive, Google Groups-based mailing list
Documentation in WikiVideo Tutorials
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Expected Outputs
Increased usage of subscribed electronic resources
Increased interaction of Subject Librarians with users
Improved feedback mechanismImproved focus on user needsImproved student performanceMore focused or streamlined ILS training
programmesImproved efficiency in updating of library website
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For more information...
Amos KujengaSystems AnalystNUST Library
Bulawayo, [email protected]@gmail.com
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Don’t miss out...
eIFL-FOSS SubjectsPlus Themed Week
10-14 October 2011
Bibliography
Agyen-Gyasi, K. (2008) 'The Need for Subject Librarians in Ghanaian Academic Libraries', Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship, vol. 9, no. 3, Winter.
Feldmann, L. (2006) 'Subject Librarians in the Changing Academic Library', Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship, vol. 7, no. 3, Winter.
Hahn, K. (2009) 'Introduction: Positioning Liaison Librarians for the 21st Century', Research Library Issues: A Bimonthly Report from ARL, CNI, and SPARC, vol. 265, August, pp. 1-2.
Love, J. (2002) 'The Enhanced and Changing Role of the Specialist Librarian: Survey of Education Librarians', The Reference Librarian, vol. 78, pp. 149-165.
Pinfield, S. (2001) 'The changing role of subject librarians in academic libraries', Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, vol. 33, no. 1, March, pp. 32-38.
