Before class starts:
- Have sign-up sheet for class
- Set up bookmarks
- Bump up font one notch
- Write on board: http://libraries.mit.edu/libtalks
- Make sure that everyone can sign into their LibGuides account! If not, set them up with an account. Then ask them to change the password right away.
Class outline:
1. Intro:
- We'll start out by giving you an overview and showing some examples, and then we'll delve in to hands-on work.
- If you want to pull up this outline page, it will have all the links on it: http://libraries.mit.edu/libtalks
- We'll have drop-in sessions in a few weeks, so don't worry too much if you get a little confused...
- Thursday, 8/7, 2-3
- Monday, 8/18, 4-5
- Wednesday, 8/27, 3-4
- What is LibGuides? Content management system; specifically designed for libraries by Springshare. They've gotten great feedback from other institutions, and customer service is excellent. Hosted on an outside server.
- Why we chose LibGuides: interactive features that we couldn't implement easily ourselves; no need for people to know html
- Task Force formed by UIG & RISG to make guidelines: Remlee, Peter, Angie, Maggie, Georgiana
- Use the guidelines: http://libstaff.mit.edu/web/guidelines/libguides.html
- Keep it simple
- Writing for the web is a helpful resource: http://libstaff.mit.edu/web/writing/
- Show bad example: http://libguides.mit.edu/bad (The bad one shows examples of every kind of available box to show! too many tabs, vague tab names)
- Show good example: http://libguides.mit.edu/materials2
2. What we're using LibGuides for:
- Vera subjects vs. subject guides (Research guides)
- We're merging content from vera listings and subject guides, and we're calling them "research guides."
- See What's changing about Vera, Summer 2008
- We can also use LibGuides to create course pages, database cheatsheets, and publication types pages.
- You don't have to use LibGuides! You can still use Dreamweaver, if you want, or if it makes more sense for you!!
- Show 2 Materials examples: http://libguides.mit.edu/materials2, http://libguides.mit.edu/materials3
- Marion & Michelle Miller have set up a guide for every subject that has a Vera category, but that's just to get you started. You're welcome to change it, but you don't have to. You don't have to be in a rush to get these done... We've made the template pages live already, but you're welcome to take your time in updating it. Dreamweaver subject guides can be linked from these LibGuides pages.
- Where will these be linked?
- Talk about old subject page index & contrast with new one: http://libraries.mit.edu/research-guides
- Database cheatsheets won't be integrated into this list, but instead, we'll provide a link to the cheatsheet where we link to the database.
- Course pages won't be integrated into the list, but there's a link to them at the top.
- Go back to the Materials page... You don't have to keep your database list on this page, but if you want your databases listed on another page or tab, rather than the "home" page, please let Marion know, so she can link to your databases from Vera
- Could keep the guide she made as is, if you want
- For now, old subject guides are linked from new page that Marion has made. You can change those later.
- Marion has set up list of databases for every subject: http://libguides.mit.edu/databases
- You can choose to link to the list on your page, or copy it. They're all linked, right now.
- Pros of linking to the list:
- Always up to date if something changes
- Pros of copying it:
- Can customize it
- Can add the descriptions to the page
- Instant gratification
- If you're wondering, "What about new databases not on the list?" We'll e-mail you with the new info from Kim.
- E-mail Marion if you want the subcategories in the box changed centrally (if you have "linked to" your boxes).
- Pros of linking to the list:
3. Hands on walk-through
- Let's Get Started! (Hands on)
- Log in (make sure everyone has an account & can log in)
- Set up your profile. (go to http://libguides.mit.edu, log in, "customizing your profile")
- Label the profile box wisely... Some options include:
- Keep default "My Profile"
- Ask Us
- Subject Specialist
- Dewey Library (or other library name)
- Questions?
- Profile shortcut: use your athena name
- if you have no image, choose not to display an image. Staff photo use guidelines should be followed, but people should hide the photo box if they don't use it. No avatars!
- use MEEBO if you want (example: http://libguides.mit.edu/mites); Color should match with our color scheme. Meebo guidelines are here: http://libstaff.mit.edu/web/guidelines/meebo.html
- IM names if you want to
- Label the profile box wisely... Some options include:
- Pick page that Marion made to get started: http://libraries.mit.edu/research-guides ; (If you don't have a guide already, pick any one.).
- Go to LibGuides: Create new guide, "use template from," and find the guide you want to play with. Call it " ___-test" (After class, they can choose to keep it, and delete old one or the new one.)
- It will not be visible to the public, so don't worry!
- Choose to either show profile box & delete previous contact info box, if they want. Contact information should always display in top right of every page.
- Create a new plain box (point out box descriptions), and do bold, bullets, links. Works a lot like the wiki. (for links, use "open link in new window" choice)
- Show that there are many many fun options, and this is relatively easy to do. Different box types will be covered in the drop-in sessions.
- Talk about Nicole's tools on templates page (http://libguides.mit.edu/tools; Why we picked these tools? Ideas for more tools... email Nicole.
- Explain that you can copy or link to the database box. Copy the box if you want control over it on your page. Link if you want it to be changed centrally.
- Show how to link to a box from Nicole's templates page. (A double arrow shows up in the box if it's linked.)
- Show how to copy a box ("Need help?")
- No set limit to number of boxes allowed on page, but if it looks cluttered or if scrolling is excessive, consider reorganizing or using Dreamweaver.
- When linking to resources, make sure to link to shortcut URLs: http://libraries.mit.edu/shortcuts
- When given an option, have links open in a new tab/window.
- Now that you have some boxes, show:
- Page Options
- Reorder boxes
- Toggle columns
- User comments are globally set to be moderated; each guide can disable or enable for the whole guide or each box
- Add tabs/subtabs
- Maximum of one row of tabs (5 or 6, max). If you need more, consider reorganizing your pages, or use Dreamweaver.
- Don't link to URL in add a new tab box!
- Guide functions
- How to change your title and add a description
- Not using tags
- Colors are set globally, so nothing you pick here will show up
- Add/change editors
- View usage stats (we'll also have Google Analytics stats, more info later)
- Toggle all comments
- How to turn off photo
- Preview mode
- Page Options
- Finishing your page:
- Under "change status":
- Naming your shortcut URL (required; refer to shortcut URL list; make it "-test" for now (If you don't like the shortcut, ask Marion to change it)
- Filing it under subjects (can choose more than one; it shows up: http://libguides.mit.edu & on Vera Multisearch categories, as in bottom of: http://libraries.mit.edu/multi/databases-subject.html)
- Private vs. unpublished vs. public guides: Keep private or public. Don't bother with unpublished.
- Making things live
- For the page you've made today:
- Once you're done playing with this test page, you can either delete it or keep it. It might be easier to go to the original page that was made, and add additional info, but it's up to you. Keep in mind that if you change the original page, it might be live and linked from Vera already, so be a little careful about testing.
- Later, if you want to make the page that you've just made live, when you get back to your office, delete the page that's linked from Vera, and quickly rename your page with same friendly URL (to match the link on the index page!)
- In general:
- No need for approval
- Contact Marion to add a new link to index pages
- For the page you've made today:
- Under "change status":
- Be sure to mention:
- Add pages to the Guides created by other users - don't use this option without checking with the person who created the page!!
- You can link to images on our web site if you know how for now (see http://libguides.mit.edu/compsci-test); later, we'll try Thalia, so keep it simple for now (less images)
- If you know html, a lot of boxes will accept the code. Feel free to play with it, and ask us if you can't get LibGuides to do something you think it should.
- When to use and when not to use:
- Large, complex guides: GIS (http://libraries.mit.edu/gis or http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/metadata)
- When using a lot of tables
- NOT for staff use (for now): that's what the wiki is for; paid for out of public services funds
4. Getting Help
- Drop in sessions; will also cover more advanced features in drop-ins (ex, how to make book cover images not link to Amazon, embedding videos, etc.)
- Documentation: http://libstaff.mit.edu/web/guidelines/libguides.html
- Who to email [libguides@mit.edu]
- Go to Nicole's session on Vera changes: today at 4, Monday at 11.
5. Play time!!
After class:
- Email attendees with links: LibTalks, staff web guidelines, writing for web, etc.
- Input names of people who came on this page: Who's had LibGuides training