The eLibrary/RIC working group has met recently to discuss a number of issues.

Firstly, in RIC, we have talked many times about the possibility of adding a search box to the subject guides. Tom has agreed to add a search box– he says that this is actually quite easy to do. We will post a link to the test page when it becomes available.
We also talked about the need for training on how to create subject guides, course pages etc. Tom and Sally asked if this is something that RIC might consider doing: a couple of training sessions for UBC library staff. Following the training, perhaps RIC could recommend that a point person in each library branch be identified for ensuring that the guides are updated and new guides are created. Right now, this seems to happen on an ad hoc basis. The librarian would be responsible for ensuring that subject guides are created and coordinating help for those librarians who are not comfortable with creating subject guides. For example, perhaps librarians not comfortable with HTML could be responsible for pulling together all the resources that should be put into a guide, and then a GAA or student assistant would do all of the HTML work. Sally emphasized that subject guides are particularly important for those librarians working on eHelp.

As well, we talked quite a lot about the possibility of re-organizing the numerous eResources pages. Tom has done quite a lot of research into the possible ways in which we could re-organize the UBC eResources (e.g. indexes/databases, eJournals, eStatistics, eNewspapers, eConference Proceedings, Digital resources etc) and present them in a more easily accessible way. Right now, they are scatterred across quite a number of pages. This is in the early stages, but Tom is hoping to create a few sample pages for us to look at.

Katherine Kalsbeek and Kimberley Hintz

The COPPUL Distance Education Forum, in conjunction with the COPPUL Public Services Group, would like to announce the launch of a new COPPUL Initiative: “The COPPUL Animated Tutorial Sharing Project. “

This initiative creates a means whereby libraries can easily share the development of Animated Tutorials for specific e-resources. These tutorials are built using software such as ViewletBuilder or Captivate, which is easy to learn and can be used to quickly construct a tutorial that incorporates Screenshots, Text, Highlights, Quizzes, and Audio. The end result is a tutorial that is both captivating and highly professional.

Librarians participating in this initiative can:

1. Learn which e-resources are common among fellow COPPUL libraries.
2. Learn whether an animated tutorial has been created for an e-resource they use in their library.
3. Learn which library is in the process of creating an animated tutorial for an e-resource they use locally.
4. Go to a central repository at the University of Calgary (D-Space) to upload and download tutorials.
5. Alter downloaded tutorials for local use.
6. Register for D-Space and be notified any time new content is added to it.
7. Utilize listservs and contact information to find help with a piece of software they are using to create a tutorial.

Presently, there are only a few tutorials in D-Space, but it is our hope that COPPUL members will recognize the value of contributing to this project. Collaboratively, we can create a critical mass of Open Access tutorials that are designed to help users whenever they need assistance with a specific e-resource.

All COPPUL librarians are encouraged to visit our web site and learn more about the project. We also want to encourage everyone to participate in this exciting initiative.

To learn more, go to: http://www.brandonu.ca/Library/COPPUL/

Thank you for your time and welcome to the project!

COPPUL Animated Tutorial Working Group:
Carmen Kazakoff Lane (Brandon), Coordinator
Karen Hunt (Winnipeg)
Paul Pival (Calgary)
Bill Badke (Trinity Western)

February 6, 2006