Elsevier Library Connect Pamphlet: 15 Ways to Promote Effective Use of Online Resources

Number 1 • Edition 2 • 2007
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Research and Findings

Research

Findings

Library Website Positioning

Make sure your institute’s homepage features obvious links to library pages

On the library homepage, offer links to digital resources and subject-specific content

Limit the number of clicks a user needs to get to full-text access.

Library Website Searching

Allow searches on metadata or key words associated with online resources

Offer options for restricting a search

Offer searchable lists of online resources and providers

Library Website Help Features

List library staff titles and names with telephone numbers and email addresses

Incorporate subject-specific help features within your library website

Provide well-structured FAQs as part of your website

Provide guides appropriate for all levels of users, beginner to advanced

Marketing to Users

Use communication extending beyond library buildings and targeting users in subject-specific ways

Avoid generic email alerts to a wide audience in favor of tailored email messages

Create training courses and updates focusing on subject-specific problems

Allow users to register online for training courses or sessions

Collaborate with your publisher and vendor contacts

Additional Resources

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Contact Information

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Library Website Searching

4. Allow searches on metadata or key words associated with online resources.

By expanding search functionality beyond key words in publication titles, you help users get to the content they need faster. In the research reported on in this pamphlet, users rated most highly organizations offering various search options.

Explore More

Coyle, K. (2005). Understanding metadata and its purpose. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 31 (2), 160–163.
DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2004.12.010
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com

Kahl, C. M., & Williams, S. C. (2006). Accessing digital libraries: A study of ARL members’ digital projects. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 32 (4), 364–369.
DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2006.03.003
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com

5. Offer options for restricting a search.

A subject-specific search box on your library site can assist researchers in locating appropriate resources. Elsevier offers free, downloadable subject-specific search boxes for Scirus, the Web search engine for scientific information, at www.scirus.com

6. Offer searchable lists of online resources and providers.

The optimum is to offer an A–Z list and subject list, both searchable by publication title as well as by vendor or publisher. The research revealed that users preferred library sites offering evident and effective search options, simple and quick. To view effective use of various search options, see the King’s College London Information Services & Systems page at www.kcl.ac.uk/iss/ir/eresources

Explore More

Detlor, B., & Lewis, V. (2006). Academic library Web sites: Current practice and future directions. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 32 (3), 251–258.
DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2006.02.007
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com

Withers, R., Casson, R., & Shrimplin, A. (2002). Creating Web-based listings of electronic journals without creating extra work. Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services, 26 (2), 107–112.
DOI: 10.1016/S1464-9055(02)00227-0
Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com