Creating Subject Guides for the 21st Century

CREATING SUBJECT
ST
GUIDES FOR THE 21
CENTURY LIBRARY:
PATHWAYS TO LEARNING

presented by Buffy J. Hamilton
ALA TechSource
October 30, 2013
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Original photograph by Buffy J. Hamilton

Group Poll

What is your library
environment?

2

Topics

Defining Subject Guides
and Why Learners Need
Them
Basic Design Principles

Content for Your Subject
Guide

Platforms for Creating
Subject Guides
Future Directions for
Subject Guides
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Subject Guides: Helping Learners
Navigate Worlds of Information

4

Defining the Subject
Guide
A set of resources designed to help patrons
fully research and explore a topic
May include traditional and emerging
forms of authoritative information sources

Dynamic and organic
5

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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dukeyearlook/2108418237/sizes/o/

Lists

Learning
Tool

Minimal Context,
Informational,
Consumption Oriented

Contextualized by
Research Models,
Learner Mental
Models, Meaning
Making w/ Information
7

Sinkinson, C., Alexander, S., Hicks, A., & Kahn, M. (2012). Guiding Design: Exposing Librarian and Student Mental Models of Research Guides. Portal: Libraries & The
Academy, 12(1), 63-84.

Image used with permission under a Creative Common License from
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/cobalt/2297933452/sizes/l/

information sources are more
diverse
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Image via Microsoft Clip Gallery

“We can no longer be content to
train students to understand the
difference between peer-reviewed
journals and popular magazines,
to appreciate the value of books,
newspapers and reference
sources, and to understand how to
evaluate garden variety web sites.”
Source: http://liblogs.albany.edu/library20/

Laura B. Cohen

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what is authority?

who decides what
counts as
authority?

who are the
experts?
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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/202872717/sizes/l/in/photostream/

a focus on knowing how and
when a particular
information source

is the right fit
for an information seeking
task

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“The conversation has moved
away from using tools to find
information… and now seems to
be more along the lines of finding
(and building) tools that students
can use to analyze, synthesize,
and share information. It’s the
changing role of librarians?”
Brian Mathews
Associate Dean for Learning and Outreach, Virginia Tech
14
Source: “The-3-Click-Dilemma: Are library databases nearing the tipping point of obsolescence?” August 20, 2013 http://bit.ly/14YCadM
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeacid/420493902/sizes/l/

subject guides can be a medium
collaboration and cultivating
partnerships for learning

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CC image via http://goo.gl/C7zHC

blogs

tweets

videos

podcasts

wikis

web forums

social citation/
bibliography

social
bookmarking

curation

images and
graphics

rss

mobile apps

content
creation tools

learner
created
content
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“embrace the
potentials and
challenges of this
[participatory]
emerging culture
not as a
replacement for
existing print
practices but as
an expansion of
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/waynel78/4421809468/sizes/l/
Source: http://henryjenkins.org/2010/02/learning_in_a_participatory_cu.html

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AASL Standards for 21st Century
Learners








1.2.2 Demonstrate confidence and self-direction by
making independent choices in the selection of resources
and information.
3.1 Participate and collaborate as members of a social
and intellectual network of learners.
3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to
organize and display knowledge and understanding in
ways that others can view, use, and assess.
4.1.6 Organize personal knowledge in a way that can be
called upon easily.
4.1.7 Use social networks and information tools to gather
and share information.
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Subject Guides for

scaffoldin
g
networked learners
and personal
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/soundman1024/294614122/sizes/l/

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Source: http://teachweb2.blogspot.com/2010/01/personallearning-environments-student.html

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CC image via http://bit.ly/r8oa8n

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2. Have you observed your
patrons (students, instructors,
adults) utilizing any of these
resources in their research?

Group Poll

1. Do you incorporate social
media networks and
information streams
(emerging forms of
authority) into your research
guides?

22

tools and
strategies
for
cultivating
st
21
century
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communities formed around

Academic
standards
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communities formed
around…

Passions
Interests
Wonderings
Needs
Curiosity
problems
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/23882161@N03/3745008067/sizes/o/

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the common thread: creating and
sustaining conversations for
learning
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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcwathieu/2979581445/sizes/l/

subject guide
seeds
• learning
•
•
•
•

objectives
standards
learning
activities
learner needs
forms of
assessment
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Communicate and
Collaborate

1
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cc licensed photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandoncripps/3156373103/sizes/o/

Begin the
design
process
and
selection
of
resources
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/rtv/290546350/sizes/o/in/photostream/

2
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Make adjustments if needed during
the implementation of the project

3
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4

Assess
the

Learner
Experien
ce
31

5

Reflection
and

Action
for future directions
(praxis)
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/fazilfuad/2759295927/sizes/l/

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Build

Learn
Mathews, Brian. "CHANGE NEEDS A BRAND: Don't Fear Labels, Leverage Them." Web log post. The Ubiquitous Librarian. The Chronicle of
Higher Education, 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 02 May 2013. <http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2013/04/25/change-needs-abrand-dont-fear-labels-leverage-them/>.

Assess
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A Carousal tour
of Tools and
Strategies for
contemporary
subject guides

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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniekac/3550747547/sizes/l/

Ways to
Incorporate
Embed
Alternate
Code
Sources of
Information
and
Direct
RSS
User
Links
Feed
Created
Content
35

RSS Feeds: Online magazines
Most websites and
online publications now
provide a menu of
specific RSS feeds for
free

41

Google Hangouts

Embed
code
49

social bookmarking

RSS feed for a tag
stream in Diigo
53

social bookmarking

RSS feed for a group RSS stream in
Diigo or embed a widget for the
group
54

Source: http://www.journalism.org/2013/10/24/the-role-ofnews-on-facebook/

Social Media

74

Source: http://www.journalism.org/2013/10/24/the-facebooknews-experience-infographic/

Social Media

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Meta Research Guide: Curation
Tools, Scoop.it

76

Tools, Scoop.it

77

Tools, Storify

78

Tools, Storify

http://storify.com/efilgo/librarian-jazz

79

Tools, Pinterest

80

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Engage Learners with Polls

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Assessment with Google Forms

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Embed instructional materials

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Embed Learner Created Content

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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/drachmann/327122302/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Q&A

Q&A

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threads to weave
together the
fabric of contemporary
subject guides

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Platforms/Tools for Housing Subject
Guides








Library website created with traditional web authoring
platforms
Subscription or open source subject guide services
Blogs
Wikis
Social Bookmarking Services
Free Sources: Netvibes, Live Binders, Symbaloo,
Scoop.it

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Points of Consideration
When Choosing a Subject
Guide Platform
 Cost:

Free vs. Paid
 Technical Support
 In-House Expertise Needed to Support
the Platform
 Ease of Replicating Content
 Types of Embed Code Supported
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Points of Consideration When
Choosing a Subject Guide
Platform
 Ability for

multiple users to manipulate the
guides and/or tools for creating the guides
 Is content sharable within a community?
 Does the platform generate a mobile version
or have an app?
 Is the guide searchable?

94

Open Source Subject
Guide Applications
 Subjects

Plus (open source)
 Library a la Carte (open source)
 LibData (open source)

99

Netvibes
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbracco/3546224180/

106

Future
Directions
for Subject
Guides
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/sushicam/4776634231/in/faves10557450@N04/

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• Mental Models Research
Informing Design
• User Experience
• Responsive Design
• Participatory
Technologies for CoCreated Content
Future
Directions/Trends/
Research
CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/sushicam/4776634231/in/faves-10557450@N04/; see research
Sinkinson, C., Alexander, S., Hicks, A., & Kahn, M. (2012). Guiding Design: Exposing Librarian and Student Mental Models of Research
Guides. Portal: Libraries & The Academy, 12(1), 63-84.

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frictionless
distribution
+
Create bonds
+
understand the

125

Participatory sites of
culture…

artistic expression and civic
Engagement
Strong support for Creating and
sharing
Fluidity in the roles of novices and
experts
Members feel a sense of

126

CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/fazilfuad/2759295927/

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CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/zhou_mengjie/6523964087/sizes/l/

CC image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Q&A

Q&A

128

contact information

buffy.hamilton@gmail.com
http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.c
om
http://buffyjhamilton.wordpress.com
Twitter: @buffyjhamilton

129

Works Cited
Drexler, Wendy. "The Networked Student Model for Construction of Personal Learning Environments: Balancing Teacher Control and Student
Autonomy." Australasian Journal of Educational Technology 26.3 (2010): 369-85. AJET 26(3) Drexler (2010) - The Networked Student Model
for Construction of Personal Learning Environments: Balancing Teacher Control and Student Autonomy. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet26/drexler.html>.
Drexler, Wendy. "Personal Learning Environments: Student Processes and Decisions." Web log post. N.p., 12 Jan. 2010. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
<http://teachweb2.blogspot.com/2010/01/personal-learning-environments-student.html>.

Greenhow, C. (2009). Social Scholarship: Applying Social Networking Technologies to Research Practices. Knowledge Quest, 37(4), 42-47.
Jenkins, Henry. "Learning in a Participatory Culture: A Conversation About New Media and Education (Part Three)." Web log post. N.p., 12 Feb.
2010. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://henryjenkins.org/2010/02/learning_in_a_participatory_cu.html>.
Mathews, Brian. "CHANGE NEEDS A BRAND: Don't Fear Labels, Leverage Them." Web log post. N.p., 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
<http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2013/04/25/change-needs-a-brand-dont-fear-labels-leverage-them/>.
Mathews, Brian. "Curating Learning Experiences: A Future Role For Librarians?" Web log post. N.p., 5 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
<http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2013/09/05/curating-learning-experiences-a-future-role-for-librarians/>.

130

Works Cited
Mathews, Brian. "Database vs. Database vs. Web-Scale Discovery Service: Further Thoughts on Search Failure (or: More Clicks than
Necessary?) (or: Info-pushers vs. Pedagogical Partners)." Web log post. N.p., 21 Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
<http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2013/08/21/database-vs-database-vs-web-scale-discovery-servicefurther-thoughts-on-search-failure-or-more-clicks-than-necessary/>.
Mathews, Brian. "The-3-Click-Dilemma: Are Library Databases Nearing the Tipping Point of Obsolescence?" Web log post. N.p., 20
Aug. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://chronicle.com/blognetwork/theubiquitouslibrarian/2013/08/20/the-3-click-dilemma-arelibrary-databases-nearing-the-tipping-point-of-obsolescence/>.
Mitchell, Amy, Jocelyn Kiley, Jeffrey Gottfried, and Emily Guskin. "The Role of News on Facebook." Pew Research Centers
Journalism Project RSS. N.p., 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2013. <http://www.journalism.org/2013/10/24/the-role-of-news-onfacebook/>.
Sinkinson, C., Alexander, S., Hicks, A., & Kahn, M. (2012). Guiding Design: Exposing Librarian and Student Mental Models of

Research Guides. Portal: Libraries & The Academy, 12(1), 63-84.

131

Creating Subject Guides for the 21st Century

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Editor's Notes