This document discusses several ways to integrate library resources into Blackboard courses. It describes LibGuides which are research guides created by librarians that can be linked within Blackboard. Subject librarians can create LibGuides tailored for specific courses and are available for research assistance. Widgets like the Library Tips widget and chat widget are pre-built components that can be added. Quick guides and tips for accessing resources and conducting research can also be linked. Permanent links can be generated for sources in library databases and instructions are provided for linking databases within Blackboard. A future PowerLink feature will allow direct access to select databases from within Blackboard. The library contact is available for any additional questions or resource needs.

1. Integrating Library Resources Into Blackboard Britt Fagerheim Coordinator of Library Services for Regional Campuses and Distance Education britt.fagerheim@usu.edu 435-797-2643

2. LibGuides Research guides created by librarians, usually for specific classes http://libguides.usu.edu These can be linked within any page in Blackboard and can either open in a new page or within Blackboard. Example of LibGuide linked within a class.

3. Subject Librarians Your subject librarian can create a LibGuide for your class which you can link within Blackboard. List of subject librarians: http://library.usu.edu/coldev/subject-librarians.php Your subject librarian has expertise in the library resources for the particular discipline and can: create a library research guide provide research help within Blackboard by responding to students’ questions via e-mail monitor a discussion thread to help students with individual or group research projects.

4. Widgets Currently, two “widgets” are available within the Blackboard course template. The Library Tips widget lists a selection of LibGuides related to research in general and accessing the library resources. The chat widget enables students to send an instant message to the reference desk and interact with a librarian. These are available in the current Blackboard template and can be added into any page by your instructional designer.

5. Quick Guides You can link to one-page tips for accessing library resources and conducting research. You can access these links from the LibGuide for RCDE faculty at libguides.usu.edu/rcde_faculty. Find tips for accessing library resources, plus a guide for citing sources and searching a specific database. Also find a Guide to Research, broken down into specific steps. You can link to specific pages within the guide.

6. Linking with Library Databases Find permanent/durable links for sources in the library databases. Also find instructions for linking to a database from within Blackboard Create links to specific items in the USU Digital Library using shorter URLs than the URL which appears in the menu bar.

7. PowerLink to Library Databases Access a selection of databases that you can link to automatically from within Blackboard. Will be available within the Add Content link. This is not yet set up within Blackboard.

13. Questions? Please let me know about additional resources you’d like to see available within Blackboard britt.fagerheim@usu.edu 435-797-2643