The Catalog
The Homepage
vs.
Best Practices in Connecting to Online Resources
Georgia Briscoe, University of Colorado Law LibraryKaren Selden, University of Colorado Law Library
Cheryl Nyberg, University of Washington Gallagher Law Library
Choices
1. Icon
2. Link on Library Homepage
3. Link on Library OPAC
Choices
4. Catalog Electronic Resource
5. Catalog Each Item in the Electronic Resource
6. Create Lists of Electronic Resources
Access Via the CatalogPros & Cons
Karen Selden
University of Colorado
Law Library
Pros
1. Catalog Provides Many Access Points
2. Electronic Resources Enhance the Collection
Pros
3. “One Stop” Access for All Library Resources
4. Patrons Do Use the Catalog
Cons
1. Increased Workload for Tech Services Staff
2. Link Checking and URL Maintenance
Cons
3. Limitations of the MARC Format
4. Patrons Won’t Use the Catalog
Recommendations
1. Know Your Patrons & Do What’s Best for Them
2. Access Is Not an Either / Or Proposition
Recommendations
3. Consider Your Staffing Situation
4. Try Creative Solutions
5. Don’t Be Overwhelmed
Access Via the Homepage
Cheryl Nyberg
Gallagher Law Library
University of Washington
Appreciation
• Facing Challenges Creatively
• Working Constantly to Improve
• Embracing Change
More Thanks
Theresa Knier
Administrative Assistant
Gallagher Law Library
Symbols & Meanings
• Cat– Mysterious– Hard to Understand – Worth the Effort
• Log = Tree– Roots of Research– Organic– Branching Out
Symbols & Meanings
• Homepage–Writing Is on
the Wall–Valuable
Real Estate–Remodel as
Needed
Catalog Woes
• Bound by Rules
• Change Is Costly
• “Known Item” Limitation
• Training Intensive
Good Library Users
Think Like a
Lawyer
Librarian
Catalog Wish List
• One Record
• Live Links
• Index Links
• Consistency
• Bluebook Abbreviations
Homepage Pros
• First Stop
• No Rules
• Customizable
• Easily Changed
Think Outside the Bun
• Focus on Users’ Needs & Behaviors
• Customize• Don’t Be a
Slave to the Alphabet
Options
• Homepage• How-To’s• Legal
Research Guides
• FAQs• News
Homepage
• Location• Location• Location• No Jargon• Cluster by
Type
Plain Language
• Avoid
– Licensed
– Subscription
– JSTOR
• Use
– Full-Text
– Indexes
Cluster by Type
• Full-Text
• Indexes
• Legal
• Nonlegal
• Cross-List
Legal Research Guides
• Instructional
• Specific to Subject or Process
• Motivated Users
FAQs & News
• Familiar Format
• “New to You”
• Current Events
Worst Practices
• List Only in Alphabetic Order
• Provide Names Without Descriptions
ELLVIS
Electronic
Law Library
&
Virtual
Information
Service
Examples of Best Practices
Karen Selden
&
Cheryl Nyberg
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Research Library
http://lib-www.lanl.gov/
ejournals/ejournals.htm
University of Tennessee Libraries, Knoxville
http://www.lib.utk.edu/
University of California, San Diego, Libraries
http://gort.ucsd.edu/ejourn/ index.html
Physics (via ROGER)
SUBJECT
electronic journals physics
University of SaskatchewanLibrary
http://library.usask.ca/ejournals/ subjects.phtml
University of Minnesota
LUMINA: Digital Library Gateway
http://www.lib.umn.edu/
By Type of Material
Conclusions
• “Fast Access Beautifully”
• Tailor to Your Library Situation
Conclusions
• Sometimes Technology Is the Determining Factor
• No Right or Wrong Answers
Conclusions
• Best Practices Are Beginning to Emerge
• Respond to Changing Trends
Conclusions
• Redundancy Is Good
• Catalog & Homepage Share a Common Goal
Conclusions
• Rules vs. No Rules Access
• Do It Well
Slideshow & Handout
http://lib.law.washington.edu /_cheryl/cathome.htm