Embedded in the Future:Integrating Library Tools

in Students’ Online Research Environments

Julia Bauder and Elizabeth RodriguesGrinnell College Libraries

ILA/ACRL Spring Conference17 April 2009

Where do students conduct academic research online?

•Search engines

•Course management sites

…not the library homepage

How do we meet them there?

• Search widgets

• LibX

• Pop-out chat reference

Search Widgets

What are search widgets?

What are search widgets?

How do I build a search widget?

A few of the available widget tools:

• Ebsco Search Box Builder• Proquest Search Widgets• Gale Search Widgets• WorldCat

…find someone to build it for you

Potential challenges

• Getting permission to add to

courseware

• URL changes

LibX

What is LibX?

http://www.libx.org/

How can I adapt LibX for my library?

LibX Edition Builder: http://libx.org:8080/editionbuilder/src/zul/

Potential challenges

• Testing

• Promotion

• Keeping up-to-date

• Patron updates

Meebo Chat Pop-outs

What is Meebo?

Why use the Meebo widget as a pop-out?

Potential problems

• Pop-up blocker

• Javascript

• Accessibility

Literature Cited

• OCLC. (2005). College students’ perceptions of libraries and information resources. Accessed on April 6, 2009 from http://www.oclc.org/reports/perceptionscollege.htm

• Thomas, C., & McDonald, R.H. (2006). Millennial net value(s): Disconnects between libraries and the information age mindset. Educause Quarterly 29:4. Accessed on April 6, 2009 from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm0640.pdf

Questions?

Links and code from this presentation can be found at: http:/www.lib.grinnell.edu/general/newhomepage/ilaacrllinks.html/

Thank you for your time!

Julia Bauder: bauderj@grinnell.eduElizabeth Rodrigues: rodrigel@grinnell.edu