Learn how to combine principles of effective web design with Springshare's LibGuides so you can create better research guides for your patrons. There are notes on a handful of slides, in particular, those which are untitled.

3. Information source: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 104
Image sources: http://www.i2symbol.com/symbols/popular/x30C4-katakana-letter-tu-smiley-face; http://jeffdegraff.com/blog/2014/02/mastering-the-five-levels-of-creativity-part-2/;
http://www.teachingcollegeenglish.com/2013/02/27/5-potential-teaching-alternatives/
Critical
Thinking
Creativity
Positive
Emotions

4. Write for the Web!
● Be concise; many people skim
● Start with most important
information
● F-shaped reading pattern
● Begin paragraphs, bullet points,
etc. with “information carrying”
words
Information sources: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 112 and
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/

5. An Example

6. Chunk or Choke
Chunking is a learning
theory that involves
the breakdown of a
concept into smaller
units to facilitate
learning.
Information source: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 123
Image source: http://junbelen.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/homemade-split-pea-soup-with-homemade-cornbread/

7. Chunking and LibGuides
● Create small content boxes
● Resize columns
● Use color to emphasize important points or steps
Information source: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 123

8. An Example

9. Another Example

10. Eliminate “Nice to Know”
Each person has a finite
amount of working
memory, or what they
can be actively thinking
about while performing
other tasks such as
reading or learning.
Information source: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 123
Image source: http://susancorso.com/seedsforsanctuary/2014/04/steve-pavlina-on-training-your-brain/

11. Working Memory and LibGuides
● Simplify content and
directions
● Be clear and specific
● Incorporate chunking
Information source: Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services (Dobbs, Sittler, and Cook), p. 123

12. Reduce or Get Rid of Jargon

13. Minimize Scrolling
● Remember that we have a
limited amount of working
memory
● Many users will give up when
they see too much information

14. Minimize Fonts and Colors
● Some color and font
variation is okay
● Most people assume blue
and purple text is
hyperlinked
● Contrast between font
and background colors
● Red-green color blindness

15. Content on Home/Main Tab
Less is more: Usage generally declines with each successive tab

16. Content on Home/Main Tab
Less is more: Usage generally declines with each successive tab

17. Balance Your Columns

18. Limit Number of Tabs/Pages

19. No Sub-Pages
Can you see which tab has sub-pages?
Many users don’t notice them.

20. Customize Every LibGuide
Climate Change LibGuidePhysics LibGuide

21. Customize Every LibGuide

22. Limit Number of Suggested Resources
Which list is more appealing?

23. Images and/or Visuals Are Essential

24. Pros:
● More visually appealing
● Adds white space
Cons:
● Can’t track clicks
● Won’t appear on
broken link checker
● Sometimes have to use
screenshots for logos

25. An Example
•General Topic: Technology
•Facets of Topic: automobiles, cell phones,
wireless technology, text messaging, social
networking, GPS systems
•Aspects of Topic: legal (state and/or federal);
social; psychological
•Time Span: 1990s; current
•Place: United States; urban; rural
•Focused Research Question: Should cell
phone use be banned with driving?

26. Where to Find Images
http://search.creativecommons.org/

27. An Easy Way to Create Visual Aids:
Microsoft Word SmartArt

28. Where to Find Database Logos
Gale: http://solutions.cengage.com/Gale/Product-
Icons/
Ebsco:
https://www.ebscohost.com/customerSuccess/defau
lt.php?id=189
There are probably other vendors who provide icons for their products

29. Creating Screenshots
Snagit by Techsmith (license):
● Can take one screenshot of
scrolling webpage
● Video option
● Add text, highlight, blur, etc.
● Transparent background
● Can edit at a later time
Snipping Tool (Windows OS):
● Can only capture what is visible
(i.e., no scrolling)
● Can only write using mouse
(i.e., no type)
● Highlighter (but very rough)
● Cannot edit later

30. Tips for Creating Screenshots
● Do not use shadow feature when circling text
NO: YES:
● Show only what’s necessary
● Make highlighter look clean
NO:
YES:

31. Link or Give Credit for Images
Obviously a kitten isn’t
killed when we don’t
give credit, but we
should emulate those
behaviors desired in our
students.

32. Further Reading
 Using LibGuides to Enhance Library Services
http://www.amazon.com/Using-LibGuides-Enhance-Library-Services/dp/1555708803/
 Design for How People Learn
http://www.amazon.com/Design-People-Learn-Voices-Matter/dp/0321768434/
 e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines
for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning
http://www.amazon.com/-Learning-Science-Instruction-Guidelines-Multimedia/dp/0470874309/
 The Non-Designer’s Design Book
http://www.amazon.com/Non-Designers-Design-Book-3rd/dp/0321534042/