Robinson Library

The Google alternative: one stop, tailored subject information to meet

students’ learning needs.

Louise GordonMoira Bent

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

How do you find information?

• Google• Other search engine• Library website• Favourite database• Favourite website• Other

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

And your students?

• Google/other search engine• Reading lists/recommendations from you• Library website• Favourite database• Favourite website• Other

Robinson Library

Subject Library Guides – a solution?

An attractive interface

Flexibility and instant

updating

Interactivity

Tailored and generic content

Widgets e.g. RSS feeds, Youtube

streaming

Embedded into VLE and

other webpages

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Robinson Library

Mobile view of Library Guides

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Robinson Library

Result! – fab feedback within University

“New guide looks great thank you” : Stage 3 Sociology student

“Many thanks for sending around the link to the new library page for politics. It is really a terrific resource for students (and staff)” : Postgraduate Research Director

I just thought I’d thank you and colleagues for the time you put into setting-up the Singapore library guides. We found that there are various ways into some of the e-resources off-site, not all of which give full text access (journals) or sometimes have time restrictions on viewing e-books; and without the guides we would have been in a bit of a mess here – students had no difficulties using these very quickly (so thanks very much!): Programme Director, Singapore

I was in one of your sessions on the library the other day. Am emailing for 2 reasons. Firstly, just wanted to express how much I LOVE the libguide for SELLLL... it might be the best thing since... well, point 2 on this email. It's fantastic and easy to use and I love it. : English Literature student

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Robinson Library

Result! – fab feedback from the Library World

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Guide Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun TotalLibrary Guides 2014 2424 2341 2007 2036 1102 11924Referencing Guide 562 246 494 919 1038 341 3600Arts and Cultures 656 735 511 476 533 291 3202Mobile apps and resources 318 535 765 616 510 170 2914History, Classics and Archaeology 525 819 535 415 334 173 2801Newcastle University International Singapore Libraries Guide 306 488 636 435 539 240 2644Marine Science and Technology 154 830 676 461 241 92 2454Welcome to the Robinson Library 325 294 368 227 490 274 1978Business 99 265 272 260 319 262 1477English Literature, Language and Linguistics 247 326 245 187 205 168 1378Library jargon - what does it mean? 68 742 159 75 95 75 1214Modern Languages 213 151 231 172 219 198 1184Electrical and Electronic Engineering 66 84 287 286 256 78 1057Endnote@Newcastle University 83 99 179 261 227 144 993Environmental Science 69 177 437 163 89 44 979Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials 238 119 167 177 134 79 914Computing Science 150 116 85 102 294 107 854Geography 106 123 102 116 207 155 809Animal Science 66 289 251 71 108 19 804Agriculture 90 177 156 83 92 127 725Research Impact 286 76 73 59 83 101 678

Usage from January 2013

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Have a go

Things to do:Access: http://libguides.ncl.ac.uk/LTC2013

On the Home tab:• Answer the question for the poll• Scan the QR code to view a mobile version of a library guide• Send a tweet using hashtag #ncltl• Using google maps; pin where you’d like to go on holiday• Poll everywhere; texting responses

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Different ways we’ve used the Guides (so far)

• Pulling together subject information• At course/module level• Within information literacy workshops• Collaboratively with other sections• To support events and exhibitions• To highlight key topics

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Where do we go from here?

• More Topic Guides?• More tailored Guides?or• Is there already too much information?

• Can you see a use in your teaching?• How do they relate to the VLE?

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Have a go

Things to do:Access: http://libguides.ncl.ac.uk/LTC2013

• Explore the subject and topic guides• Add feedback – on the Guide and/or on post-its

Robinson Library

T&L Conference, Newcastle, June 2013

Summing up

• Streamlining content• Keeping current• Module/programme guides?• Who does what?