Going where the user is: Embedding reference and Instruction at the User’s Point of Need

GOING WHERE THE USER ISEMBEDDING REFERENCE AND INSTRUCTION AT THE USER’S

POINT OF NEED

Meredith G. Farkas

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/3137422976/

Sunday, September 9, 12



LEARNING OBJECTS

INSTRUCTION REFERENCE


LEARNING OBJECTS TO SUPPORT A

COURSE

LEARNING OBJECTS FOR

POINT OF NEED

INSTRUCTION

INSTRUCTION REFERENCE


THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS





http://library.sjsu.edu/video/art-topic-development

http://library.sjsu.edu/video/art-topic-development


IS THIS WHAT STUDENTS ARE LOOKING FOR?


AND HOW DO PATRONS FIND OUR

INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT?


http://www.coastal.edu/library/














http://www.flickr.com/photos/abirkill/2417393184/




SERVING THE DIY GENERATION



http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/Help/tutorials.php









WHO ARE WE DESIGNING THIS FOR???



WHY WOULD PATRONS BE COMING HERE?


I need 3 articleson global warming

I’m looking for thebook “The

Awakening.”

I searched for mytopic in JSTOR and

couldn’t findanything

How do I cite thisin APA format?

I’m looking for scholarly articles anddon’t know how totell the difference

I’m looking for topographical maps

of Chile


Finding a specificbook in the

catalog tutorial

How do we get them

from this to this?


Awakening.”


FindBooks

I want a specific book

I’m lookingfor books on

a topic

Finding a specific

book in the catalog

Findingbooks in the

catalog

Developinga searchstrategy

Are you lookingfor a specific book

or books on atopic?

Findingbooks in the

stacks


Awakening.”





BUT DON’T JUST STICK IT ON A “TUTORIALS”

PAGE


G E T I N T H E I R F L O W

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yogendra174/5980718184


http://www.flickr.com/photos/97223988@N00/6432357463/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97223988@N00/6432357463/

WHERE MIGHT PATRONS LOOK FOR HELP ON YOUR LIBRARY’S WEBSITE?

•Ask a Librarian page•Any help type of pages•Research guides•Databases page (and inside databases)•Catalog •Webpages for specific services (ILL,

gov docs, etc.)


FINDING THE PAIN POINTS

•Web stats•Where do patrons get frustrated and

leave the site?•Reference transcripts and stats•Talk to colleagues•Survey patrons•Usability testing•Ethnographic research


NOT JUST TUTORIALS




GO WHERE YOUR USERS ARE: INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

• in the Learning Management System (LMS)

•on an Intranet• in any local social networks or relevant

community websites•on Facebook•on mobile devices• in computer labs (on the desktop)



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CONNECT THE PHYSICAL WORLD WITH DIGITAL

RESEARCH HELP


QR CODES

•Short for Quick Response•Originally developed for inventory

control•Need a QR code reader to read•Scan a QR code to access info or take

action


QR CODE GENERATORS AND READERS


U S E S O F Q R C O D E S










ARE NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATIONS THE NEXT STEP?

•A way for devices to receive information at close range

•RFID is an example•User no longer has to take the initiative

to scan something.


WHAT ABOUT MOBILE VISUAL SEARCH?


GETTING OUTSIDE OF THE LIBRARY

•Fliers and posters that link to instructional content

•Put them where users might have information needs outside of the library•Buses, business support

organizations, daycare centers, community centers, high schools, academic department offices, student lounges, computer labs, etc.


QR CODE TIPS

•Can also use shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, etc.) or both

•Make sure it’s going to mobile-friendly content

•QR code size: ideal = 1.5 inch sq. some can work as small as 0.4 in.

•Some QR code generators provide usage stats


W H Y I T ’ S C R I T I C A L T O K N O W Y O U R U S E R S


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJVoYsBym88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJVoYsBym88

Questions?Find me at

meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpressmgfarkas (at) gmail.com

flickr, twitter: librarianmerfacebook: meredithfarkas

Slides and links athttp://meredithfarkas.wetpaint.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/trucolorsfly/2401196653/


http://meredithfarkas.wetpaint.com

http://meredithfarkas.wetpaint.com



Education

Going where the user is: Embedding reference and Instruction at the User’s Point of Need