LibGuides at the U of M Libraries

1. Go to https://umn.libapps.com/libguides/.  
2. Select the University of Minnesota Shibboleth login link.  
3. Go to "LibGuides" in the upper left to get back to the main screen.  
4. Select "create guide."  
5. Select "copy content/layout from an existing guide."  
6. Select "Blueprint: Topic Guide by Cody Hanson."  (Variation: ASC folks, please select the Blueprint ASC topic guide by Kate McManus)  
7. Enter guide description using the following guidelines/text: "This guide covers search tools for research in topics related to..." OR "This guide is designed for new researchers to find articles, sources, and get started with research in topics related to..."  
8. Select guide type "topic guide."  
9. Select group assignment "UMN" (Variation: or HSL or ASC) and share guide content "Internal" (unless you have plans to share beyond UMN Libraries).  
10. Select "create guide."

1. Go to "Add Box - Column 1."
2. Select "create new box" or "reuse existing box." Instructions for reusing a box can be found in the "Reuse a box" tab of this guide. If creating your own box, add the box name with sentence casing (e.g. Find articles, Find background information). Try to avoid labels based on the source type (e.g. encyclopedias, databases, journals). Box type should be "standard" and position should be "top of the column." Add additional boxes as needed.
3. Add databases, links/assets, or embed videos in the boxes. You can reuse boxes from any guide on various pages the same way you would reuse content from the reusable boxes guide. (For more information on adding these types of materials, check out the "Add or edit a link/asset" tab or the "Add a book or journal" tab of this guide. For information on how to add photos and videos, visit the "Add a photo or video" tab of this guide.)
   
   Note: When adding a link/asset/widget, you get the option to "link" or to "copy." In general, we want to have them linked so that if one box is updated centrally, they are all updated. If it is copied, each individual link will need to be updated separately.

This step is optional, and is not effective if the page has 3 or more owners. It is, however, effective if the page is owned by one or two people. If a group would like an account, similar to the Libraries Makerspaces or Business Librarians, please reach out to our LibGuides Administrator, Kate McManus.

1. On the "edit" page for your LibGuide, go to "Add Box" in the left hand column.
2. Create a new box. Something along the lines of "Contact Us" or "Need help?" is best as a title. Once you've filled that in, select "save."
3. Go to "Add/Reorder" and select "Add Rich Text/HTML"
   Note: HTML widget coding may "break" the box -- it's best to just use rich text to ensure your page displays appropriately. We do not recommend the use of HTML widgets in LibGuides other than YouTube "embed" links.
4. Upload or add the URL of your staff photo. Beneath this, include your name, job title if applicable, and at least one way to contact you directly. Centering the content will make it appear centered in the sidebar box.
   Bonus: It is also recommended, but not required, that you create a hyperlink on your name that leads back to your profile on the library's website.
    

Timely Topic Guides are guides created as a response to current events that can seem controversial. We want to make sure that these are thoughtful and responsive, without being reactive. Mistakes are human, but the goal of this kind of topic guide is to point researchers in the right direction. We want to be as intentional as possible in the creation of these guides.

Note: Timely topic guides can work alongside official library communications, but a LibGuide (while it can reflect the University Libraries' values) should never take the place of an official statement.

If you would like to create a timely topic guide, please first think through the following series of overlapping questions to help you with these difficult topics. We also ask that you reach out to the following folks during your brainstorming and drafting phase:

• LibGuides Lead Kate McManus (cmcmanus@umn.edu)
• Members of the Libraries DEI committee

These staff are a resource and in contact with many other committees that can help you approach stakeholders who might want to help or consult, or may already have a similar effort in progress. By going through us, we also hope to reduce the emotional labor for our colleagues who are being over-asked to help out with sensitive projects. Coordination is a key piece for these kinds of guides.

Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guide and don't feel comfortable taking the lead, please also reach out to Kate! All ideas are welcome, from all across the libraries!

Question 1: Does this fill a need that isn't being met anywhere else?

Additionally, is this appropriate right now for the University Libraries to fill this need? Is it our responsibility to fill this need? (This question is not meant to let us off the hook; we all contribute to our society.) This is the most important question.

Question 2: Who is your audience?

Determine your audience: is this for a first year writing course? Is it for an advanced graduate level course? Is it for outside researchers? Who else should be at the table of staff creating this guide?

There can be more than one guide per topic, based on the audience! Currently, there exists more than one COVID-19 guide, one for undergraduate researchers and one for advanced medical research. Ownership can be different for these guides.

Question 3: What is the scope of this topic guide?

What is the goal of this topic guide? We already know students will opt to research these topics, maybe for a class. How does this simplify the research process, especially for undergrads?

If someone new to the topic wants to write a paper on it, what are some ways we can introduce people to this topic (keywords, resources, etc.)?

How long should this topic guide be available (do you know when it will be unpublished)? Who is the owner and how often are they responsible for updating it? Is this a supplement to an exhibit or event? Who else should be brought into conversations?

We often want to elevate other voices, especially around topics like race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and other topics. It is important to remember that we are not always the expert. Demonstrating search strategies for a topic can be the scope of your topic guide.

Our advice is to keep your scope narrow.

Question 4: What procedure are you putting into place?

After you've contacted the LibGuides administrator and the identified/interested stakeholders, it's a good idea to have a plan in place for:

• building the guide
• reviewing the guide
• publishing
• updating the guide
• unpublishing when appropriate

This is also a time to consider how you are going to advertise or surface the guide for users. If this is a sensitive topic, we want to ensure that we are being as critical and intentional as possible. Thank you for your care and expertise!

Edit the URL to make it friendly and logical. These are not created automatically. To do this, select the edit pencil next to "URL" and add the course designator/course number.

Friendly URL styles: 

• Subject guides: /subject-name
  Example: https://ulibguides.umn.edu/english
• Course guides: /course/SUBJ/NUMBER
  Example: https://libguides.umn.edu/course/ENGL/1001
• General and Topic guides: /guide-name
  Example: https://libguides.umn.edu/research-basics

Select the "Unpublished" dropdown, which will create a pop up. From here, you can change the status. 

Published means the guide is searchable by Canvas, by Google, and will show up in a LibGuides search. (We're working on making Guides more findable!) 

Private means the guide is only accessible if you have a direct link to the Guide.