Case Study: Does Following Best Practices Increase LibGuides Usage?

Abstract

This case study describes the work of a library task force led by the author to implement best practices for the design of web-based library guides using the LibGuides platform. The task force’s goal was to increase usage of guides. The task force learned that students were primarily finding library guides through searching on the open web, which has significant implications for guide design. It was hoped that incorporating usability research and search engine optimization (SEO) techniques into guide design would drive more traffic to the guides. Statistics available from the LibGuides platform were compared between the 2020 and 2021 academic year and the 2021–2022 academic year but no improvement in guide usage was found. In fact, usage for most guides was lower in 2021–2022.

Keywords:

• LibGuides
• usage analysis
• best practices
• search engine optimization

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the work of Ashley Lierman and Bret McCandless in developing the list of best practices, as well as the work of the other members of the Rowan University LibGuides Task Force: Michael Benson, Kevin Block, Rachel King, and Rochelle Mead-Wroniuk.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Denise Brush

Denise Brush is the Institutional Repository and Physical Sciences Librarian for Rowan University. In addition to being a subject librarian for science and engineering disciplines and the local LibGuides administrator for over 15 years, Denise manages the university’s institutional repository, Rowan Digital Works. Denise’s research explores ways that academic librarians can improve access to and usage of educational and scholarly content for students and faculty.