Subject Guides: Two Different Libraries, Two Different Approaches

The libraries at both Wichita State University and Butler Community College recently implemented new content management systems to create and manage library subject guides. These systems allow library staff to create online resources for instruction and library information quickly, and with no coding knowledge required. Both libraries chose a different option from many content management systems available; decisions were based on the differing needs and resources available at each library.This paper covers aspects that all libraries should consider when choosing a management system, specifically for subject guides: What problem will this system solve, and what are the specific needs of my library?What features does each option offer me?Is there enough product support, and is there a community of users to help?Do I have the resources needed to implement and maintain this system?Can this system grow with our library into the future? This article is available in Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings: http://newprairiepress.org/culsproceedings/vol1/iss1/1 CULS Proceedings, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2011 12 Volume 1, Issue 1, 2011 Originate, Create, Renovate, and Innovate: Leading Revolution in the Academic Library Subject Guides: Two Different Libraries, Two Different Approaches Gemma Blackburn Wichita State University Wichita, Kansas Judy Bastin Butler Community College El Dorado, Kansas Abstract The libraries at both Wichita State University and Butler Community College recently implemented new content management systems to create and manage library subject guides. These systems allow library staff to create online resources for instruction and library information quickly, and with no coding knowledge required. Both libraries chose a different option from many content management systems available; decisions were based on the differing needs and resources available at each library. This paper covers aspects that all libraries should consider when choosing a management system, specifically for subject guides: What problem will this system solve, and what are the specific needs of my library? What features does each option offer me? Is there enough product support, and is there a community of users to help? Do I have the resources needed to implement and maintain this system? Can this system grow with our library into the future?The libraries at both Wichita State University and Butler Community College recently implemented new content management systems to create and manage library subject guides. These systems allow library staff to create online resources for instruction and library information quickly, and with no coding knowledge required. Both libraries chose a different option from many content management systems available; decisions were based on the differing needs and resources available at each library. This paper covers aspects that all libraries should consider when choosing a management system, specifically for subject guides: What problem will this system solve, and what are the specific needs of my library? What features does each option offer me? Is there enough product support, and is there a community of users to help? Do I have the resources needed to implement and maintain this system? Can this system grow with our library into the future? 1 Blackburn and Bastin: Subject Guides: Two Different Libraries, Two Different Approache Published by New Prairie Press, 2011 CULS Proceedings, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2011 13 The Problem Both the Butler and WSU Libraries faced a similar problem; to find a system that will manage library subject guides that will be: Simple to use Quick to setup Affordable Flexible enough to meet the individual needs of that library A content management system would resolve most of these problems, and both libraries sought a system that would meet the specific needs of each library. During a website redesign, library staff at Butler were left with reduced access to modify the library website, making it difficult and time consuming to update content. While a content management system would streamline the ability of the library staff to create subject guides, it would also allow greater access to update other library information online as library staff would have full control over the content. Previously at WSU, many static HTML subject guide pages had been maintained by subject librarians. This method presented many issues. There was a variety of skill among subject specialists in creating web pages, so there became a lack of uniformity in the appearance, content, and format of the guides. Also, the guides required a considerable amount of time to build and edit, leading to many of the guides becoming neglected and outdated. A content management system would not only provide a cohesive appearance for all the guides, but also require minimal skill to create and update content. Two Approaches After a selection and evaluation process, Butler and WSU each chose a different solution to address these issues. Butler selected the subscription based LibGuides system from Springshare. This popular content management system is currently in use at over 1,600 libraries worldwide. The system is hosted on the Springshare servers, requiring minimal setup for the library. LibGuides manages subject guides, course specific guides, and can handle other library information as well. Butler has chosen to use LibGuides pages to manage general library content, as opposed to using the main library website. WSU took a different approach by choosing an open source system. SubjectsPlus, developed at Ithaca College by Andrew Darby, is a self-hosted content management system that can be downloaded and installed onto a local server for free. Currently only about 30 libraries are using SubjectsPlus. While the primary purpose of SubjectsPlus is to manage subject, course, and topic resources, the system can manage other library functions. WSU also uses SubjectsPlus to manage subscription database links and the staff directory. Because of the content management environment, all data in the system is linked. For example, changing a database link in the database list will also change that link in any subject guides the database appears in. Similarly, changing an email address in the staff directory will also update that email address in any subject guides that librarian is managing. Features Both LibGuides and SubjectsPlus contain many built-in features for adding content to library guides. These features include boxes that can be added to a blank guide canvas to create Web 2.0 content, links to library resources, multimedia content, and more. SubjectsPlus includes fewer options at startup, but because it is open source, new boxes (called pluslets) can be built later. 2 Kansas Library Association College and University Libraries Section Proceedings, Vol. 1 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 http://newprairiepress.org/culsproceedings/vol1/iss1/1 DOI: 10.4148/culs.v1i0.1351 CULS Proceedings, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2011 14 Overview of features Feature LibGuides SubjectsPlus Polls/Surveys Yes Not built-in, but outside polls can be embedded Embed multimedia content Yes Yes Stream RSS feeds Yes Yes Add search boxes Google search boxes plus catalog and database search box widgets Pluslets have been created at WSU to search the catalog and federated search engine Button in browser to easily add web sites Yes No Comments/Feedback Yes Yes (but limited) Statistics Yes Not built-in, but WSU added Google Analytics Link directly to library resources Yes Yes Checks the links in all guides Yes No (highly desired new feature) Videos demonstrating how to create guides with both systems, including a closer look of many of these features, are available here: LibGuides at Butler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rMithrj8CE SubjectsPlus at WSU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiZru8iwBZo