The LibGuides CMS product from Springshare has enabled our library to go beyond a list of research guides available on the B. D. Owens Library homepage. LibGuides CMS essentially has two user experience options: the Manual and "AutoMagic" options.
The manual option, when activated within a content management system as an LTI (stands for Learning Tools Interoperability) external tool, allows each student an embedded display within their course of a LibGuides content box, page, or guide related to a course assignment. It provides information about sources and research assistance when and where the student needs it within the course site, and encourages increased use of books, eBooks, and subscription databases.
The AutoMagic option uses metadata within guides to automatically place either a subject or course guide within EVERY course site.This significant outreach results in a proactive, systematic library presence across the curriculum.The session covers the basic mechanics of setting up the metadata and messaging going out to faculty before the product is activated. Rather than force fitting this feature in each course, the email messaging addresses academic freedom, stating that faculty who wish to do so may disable the option. However, it also describes the student benefits of easy access to quality research sources and assistance provided by the university.
The session includes survey data from students and faculty about this new service, as well as future plans for increased use and data collection for analysis. The presenter will discuss how it allows more time in the face2face classroom for active learning and for one-on-one interactions with students.