The document summarizes an assessment of research guides at Washington University in St. Louis. It conducted page hit comparisons between web-based subject guides and LibGuides research guides from 2007-2008, finding increased usage of LibGuides. Interviews with faculty and students found that guides were generally useful but could be improved with more course guides, contact information for librarians, and basic information. Changes were made to guides in response, such as adding reference hours and highlighted resources to the homepage.

1. LibGuides: Your Research Guide for the 21st CenturyAssessment of Research GuidesJaleh FazelianMelissa VetterWashington University in St. Louis

2. Page Hit ComparisonsWeb-based Subject Guides vs. LibGuides Research Guides Data supplied by LibGuides Administrators analyzed via WebTrends softwareRandom sample of 10 guidesSample period: September 15 - November 30 of 2007 and 2008

5. Contributing FactorsA link to guides better situated on newly redesigned Libraries Home page Promotion of LibGuides on Café plasma screens Distributed guide URLs at Orientation New librarians in certain subject areasSubject librarians distributed guide informationSubject librarians put links to guides in Email signature line

6. Faculty InterviewsDemographicsFive faculty membersGuide Usage All five had previously used course guides

7. Faculty Interview QuestionsWhat features of the guide do you think work best?Are there elements of the guide that you would like to see added or changed?Do you find the guide to be useful? In general, do you find the guide is working well as an enhancement to the course? If so, how?Would you like course guides for other courses you teach?

8. Graduate and Undergraduate Student InterviewsDemographicsFour graduate students Five undergraduate studentsGuide Usage Four had previously used guidesFive had never used guides

9. Student Interview QuestionsWhat research methods do you use to find the articles and books you use for your assignments?Looking at the tabs, which tabs do you think hold the most relevant information? Please tell me the top three most relevant/helpful tabs.What information would you put on this guide to make it more useful/helpful for your research?Would you like to have a guide for your course here? If so, were there classes in the past where you think a course guide would have helped you?

10. Guide ComparisonsGraduate Student responses:Popular guides not helpful

11. Tags not especially useful to them

12. Liked alphabetical arrangement

13. Would like to see all librarians names listed instead of featured ones onlyUndergraduate Student Responses:Popular guides got mixed results

14. Interested in tag cloud

15. Liked alphabetical arrangement