I am in the process of working with our university's Web team in redesigning the library's Web site. Currently, we are working on our Subject Guides. Out of curiosity, I looked at 22 area university libraries to see how they presented their Subject Guides:
- 10 have links to a list of their subject guides
- 1 has a drop down list of all their guides
- 11 do not have any reference to subject guides on their homepage.
Of those who refer to their subject guides, the following language was used:
- e-Resources & Research Guides by Subject
- Resources by Subject
- Databases by Subject (3 libraries)
- Subject Resources
- Research Guides by Subject
- Subject Specific Resources
- Get Research Help by Subject
- Find Articles by Subject
- Browse by Subject
Right now, we're using the term "Subject Guide." In my original test design, I used a drop down box with a complete list of all subjects. Our the Web team wants to have a roll-over, but our subject list is too extensive to have in a roll-over, so one option we are discussing is just having a link to a complete list. I like the idea of having a drop down box or some other mechanism for revealing what one might find via the subject guides. However, seeing that 10 of 22 schools have only a link eases my concern somewhat. I'm just not sure if students will think to click on "Subject Guides" without any indication of where they are going. We could change the language, but seeing that 11 schools use 9 different phrases, there's obviously no consensus as to what language patrons will understand.