LibGuides from Springshare: pros & cons

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Introduction

See also Academic libraries 2.0 and Subject librarian 2.0

Several academic libraries design their own platforms for the creation for pathfinders and subject guides. Two open source tools are LibData and SubjectsPlus, both of which are based on PHP and MySQL, and require special coding skills to be used successfully. Both of these software tools can be used to meet the needs of academic libraries.

LibGuides, which was introduced in 2007, is a web-based product of SpringShare. It was developed by the University of Minnesota Libraries, and can be downloaded for free. While LibData continues to be supported, the UofM Libraries are migrating its services to Drupal, another open source content management systems (CMS). LibGuides follows the software-as-a-service model. Subscription prices are based on FTEs at your institution, and allow for the creation of unlimited numbers of pathfinders and guides. Currently, there is no limit to the number of subject librarians who use the system. Additional training modules, custom domain mapping, and other premium features are available for a fee.

SubjectsPlus was developed at the Ithaca College Library and can be downloaded for free. A few examples of its look and feel are made by individual libraries using SubjectsPlus. Some good training materials are available via the SubjectsPlus wiki. Users share information about SubjectsPlus via the Google Group <http://groups.google.com/group/subjectsplus>.

Key websites

• LibGuides from Springshare is reportedly reasonably priced, easy to use, and formats well with mobile devices
• some libraries have mobile sites, formatted for mobile devices (http://libraries.ucsd.edu/m/) but not specific to any one platform

References

• Bushhousen E. LibGuides. J Med Libr Assoc. 2009;97(1):68–9.
• Glassman NR, Sorensen K. From pathfinders to subject guides: one library's experience with LibGuides. J Electron Resour Med Libr. 2010;7(4):281-291.
• Hemming W. Online pathfinders: toward an experience-centered model. Ref Serv Rev. 2005;33:66–87.
• Kerico J, Hudson D. Using LibGuides for outreach to the disciplines. Indiana Libraries. 2008;27(2):40–2.
• McMullin R, Huttin J. Web subject guides: virtual connections across the university community. J Libr Admin. 2010;507-8.
• Morris SE. Forgotten resources: subject guides in the era of web 2.0. Tech Serv Quarterly. 2010;27(2):178-93.
• Ouellette D. Subject guides in academic libraries: a user-centred study of uses and perceptions/Les guides par sujets dans les bibliothèques académiques: une étude des utilisations et des perceptions centrée sur l'utilisateur. Can J Info Libr Science. 2011;35(4):436-451.
• Wakeham M, Roberts A, Shelley J, Wells P. Library subject guides: a case study of evidence-informed library development. J Libr Info Sci. February 2012.