Quick Guides – Developing Short OPAC Tutorials Martin Wolf 04-Sept-2003

About Cardiff University Ranked 7 th out of 106 universities for research in 2001 Circa. 15,500 students and 3,500 staff Soon to merge with University of Wales College of Medicine

OPAC Tutorials Why have them? What types are there? What did we decide? What does it cover? Where next?

Why have them? Anecdotal evidence from library staff Comments from academic staff University-wide audit of library enquiries Observational study of OPAC users

OPAC searching – the main difficulties Misunderstanding of search options Most searches too specific or too broad Large numbers of hits Almost no use of limits / operators

Addressing the difficulties Implemented use of automatic limiters Development of Quick Guides

What types are there? Simple pages of text to work through University of Regina “Multi-window” instructions University of Auckland “Multi-frame” instructions University of Hawaii Interactive Flash demonstrations Bolton Institute

What did we decide? Users needed to be able to use live catalogue Instructions and catalogue should be on screen at same time Tutorial had to be accessible to wide range of browsers (including DOPACs)

What did we use? Frames-based Instructions and navigation to left; screenshots and catalogue to right Static screenshots – benefits of animation not worth extra problems Cardiff University Voyager Guide

What did we cover? Emphasis on basics Keyword searching as primary tool Understanding location screens Reserving items Checking accounts

The process Project group brought together relevant staff Implementation delayed by need for Welsh language version Welsh language version Ready to be used during 2003/4 induction sessions

Where next? Need to keep pace with OPAC upgrades Make tutorial more visible – e.g. links from other pages, more promotion Consider ways of increasing interactivity Consider ways of obtaining user feedback

Quick Guides – Developing Short OPAC Tutorials Martin Wolf 04-Sept-2003