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Temple University subscribes to between 600 and 700 databases and maintains a complete list of databases A-Z on one web page as well as individual pages for individual letters. It is very useful to scan a complete list to see a variety of databases that meet a specific information need. http://library.temple.edu/databases/a-z In the interdisciplinary world we live in, one cannot trust a subject list of databases to be close to complete on research topics of today. Both the topics and the databases are interdisciplinary. Of course if looking for a specific database, one goes to the letter it begins with, but how many students today know database names? It is just very useful to have different ways of doing things with efficiency. These are my thoughts on this matter. . Sincerely, David Dillard Temple University (215) 204 - 4584 [log in to unmask] http://workface.com/e/daviddillard Net-Gold http://groups.yahoo.com/group/net-gold http://listserv.temple.edu/archives/net-gold.html On Wed, 2 Apr 2014, Paul Stainthorp wrote: > We don't have one, and yes, you might be right. > > We split the list up by letter because there are >100 databases in the list, we felt it would be unwieldy and difficult to navigate as a single page, particularly as we'd have to add page anchors for each letter of the alphabet (which would mean additional boxes with extra HTML). > > I'm not saying we were right to do so, but that was our thinking. > > Paul > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: David P. Dillard [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: 02 April 2014 12:23 > To: Paul Stainthorp > Cc: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [lis-e-resources] Libguides > > > > Where do you have a complete A-Z list of your databases? Is it not a bit awkward to browse letter by letter? > > > > Sincerely, > David Dillard > Temple University > (215) 204 - 4584 > [log in to unmask] > > > On Wed, 2 Apr 2014, Paul Stainthorp wrote: > >> Hi Sharon. >> >> We (University of Lincoln) use LibGuides for exactly this. http://guides.library.lincoln.ac.uk/databases >> >> Yes, you can 're-use' boxes from the central list in subject guides, so one change to a URL updates the link everywhere it's used. Very useful and saves a lot of time / confusion with students no longer being presented with out-of-date links. >> >> The only time it wouldn't work is if you tick an option to break the link between the boxes when you copy/add it to the subject guide. In that case you end up with two separate boxes with no system link between them. Just need to make sure that whoever's creating the subject guides understands this and ticks the correct option! >> >> We also make use of the LibGuides box API to embed databases in other websites (e.g. Blackboard VLE) - again this means that if the URL changes, it only has to be updated once. >> >> Regards, >> >> Paul >> >> >> >> >> Paul Stainthorp >> Electronic Resources Librarian >> >> Great Central Warehouse University Library >> University of Lincoln >> Brayford Pool >> LINCOLN >> LN6 7TS >> United Kingdom >> >> tel:+441522886193 >> mailto:[log in to unmask] >> http://library.lincoln.ac.uk/ >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: An informal open list set up by UKSG - Connecting the Information Community [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sharon Robinson >> Sent: 02 April 2014 11:42 >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: [lis-e-resources] Libguides >> >> Hi, >> >> We are looking at Libguides in part to provide a replacement to our Metalib A-Z list of databases, but also with a view to using it for study guides. So, some questions: >> >> If I make a change in my central list of databases (e.g. my A-Z list of databases), e.g. by updating a specific database URL, would other instances of this database URL in subject Libguides be automatically updated? >> >> Are there any contexts in which this wouldn't work? >> >> Are there any downsides to Libguides or do you have any advice to offer? >> >> Many thanks, >> >> Sharon >> >> Sharon Robinson >> Assistant Information Services Advisor >> Edinburgh Napier University >> Merchiston Campus >> 10 Colinton Road >> Edinburgh >> EH10 5DT >> >> lis-e-resources is a UKSG list - http://www.uksg.org UKSG groups also available on Facebook and LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKSG >> >> The University of Lincoln, located in the heart of the city of Lincoln, has established an international reputation based on high student satisfaction, excellent graduate employment and world-class research. >> >> The information in this e-mail and any attachments may be confidential. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender immediately and remove it from your system. Do not disclose the contents to another person or take copies. >> >> Email is not secure and may contain viruses. The University of Lincoln makes every effort to ensure email is sent without viruses, but cannot guarantee this and recommends recipients take appropriate precautions. >> >> The University may monitor email traffic data and content in accordance with its policies and English law. Further information can be found at: http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/legal. >> >> lis-e-resources is a UKSG list - http://www.uksg.org >> UKSG groups also available on Facebook and LinkedIn >> Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKSG >> > lis-e-resources is a UKSG list - http://www.uksg.org UKSG groups also available on Facebook and LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UKSG