Developing Online Patron Tutorials

Today’s Agenda

A review of case studies provides some answers:• What has been successful?• What have libraries learned in the process?• What tools have they used?• What would they recommend to others?

Case Studies

Carmel Clay Public Library

http://www.carmel.lib.in.us/

Carmel Clay Public Libraryhttp://www.carmel.lib.in.us/

Highlights - Promotion:• Through homepage• Point-of-need• YouTube channel• Facebook

Dallas Public Library

http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/tutorials/tutorials.php

Dallas Public Libraryhttp://www.dallaslibrary2.org/tutorials/tutorials.php

Highlights:• Organized hierarchical

subject based inventory

• Ability to limit list of videos by subject

• Coordination with City for employment tutorials

http://guides.wpunj.edu/content.php?pid=127800&sid=1096786

William Paterson University

http://guides.wpunj.edu/

William Paterson University

Highlights - Feedback:• Feedback form• Comments tracked • Live librarian chat• Rotating icon on homepage

http://guides.stlcc.edu/tutorials

St. Louis Community College

http://guides.stlcc.edu/tutorials

St. Louis Community College

Highlights:• Rotating feature video• Started with existing open

source• Collaborate with faculty,

incorporate into Blackboard• Focus on short in/out

tutorials• Ease of sharing

Topic & content selection for tutorials:• Needs assessment – formal vs. informal• Support of library

subsidized resources• Subject matter

expertise• Common inquiries• General considerations

Screen capture/written tip

sheetSnag-It, Word, PPT

ScreencastingScreenr, jing

Screen recording/editing

Camtasia

eLearning courseCaptivate, Articulate

Core competency Less than 1 day 1-2 weeks, daily use ~40-100 use hours

Skill Level/Training Requirements

Budget: One-time/Annual

$400/$80 $15/$100 (hosting) $300/$100$200 training

$800/$200$200 training

What we know:• Computer-based video is popular• Social media is best marketing

vehicle• Short attention spans,

3 minutes or less• Likelihood of use is higher

for those comfortable using computers

Maximize sharing your expertise• Screencast or record demonstration sessions

with patrons and reuse – send links via email as a reinforcement to patrons

• Consider ongoing “webinars” – record and archive for others

• Maintain an inventory of annotated screen captures and other reusable assets

Like a great chef - never throw out the practice batch! Share it, evaluate it, and incorporate feedback into the next batch.

Promotion & access to your tutorials:• Web site placement (location,

location, location)• Access points (multiple listings)• Compliancy & language• Hosting implications• Consistency (icons, design)

Effectiveness & Lifespan:• Quantitative measuring - usage• Qualitative measure - usefulness• Determining shelf life• Updating & replacing

Perspective & Take-aways:• Launch strategies• Part of ongoing public

service activities• Just do it!

• WJ Patron Tutorial resources• Lib20 Wiki - Screencasting Resources • A.N.T.S. – Animated Tutorial Sharing Project

Best Practices in Screencasting