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Instructional Resources for Library Instructors: Embed LibGuides in GS

Librarian FAQs

What is an LTI?

LTI stands for "Learning Tools Interoperability" and it allows GauchoSpace (GS) to seamlessly integrate LibGuides and other Springshare materials easily once the tool is turned on. In this application, our Library Research Guides can be displayed directly in GauchoSpace. Read more about it on the Springshare Website.

What is the timeline?

For Winter 2021, we are starting with turning on the automatching at the subject-level for our Research Guides. Over Winter 2021 we plan to further experiment with the tool so that it will automatch to an appropriate course guide if one is available for the course.

Why does the department code in the metadata look different than what I'm used to seeing?

Good question - we don't know. The important thing is that the code we're using came from those who administer department codes in GauchoSpace. For the tool to work, the metadata codes we assign on the backend of the Research Guides must match the codes in GauchoSpace. That means there may be instances where codes in GauchoSpace appear to combine areas of study that are distinct from what you typically see in a course schedule or the registrar. 

What can I do if the code provided covers two or more subject areas?

At this point, please pick one guide that you'd like the tool to point to. If necessary, you may want to consider making a landing guide (see Rick's History Guide) that holds the metadata tag and points to the appropriate guides with a brief welcome message.

Will this take the place of working with faculty to make individual course guides?

Absolutely not! This is just another tool and a way to help get library resources in front of our students. Hopefully, faculty who are interested in having students do research will turn the guides on, and if the general guide does not fit their purpose reach out for a dedicated course guide or additional assistance.

Quick Start for Librarians

If you've been added as a "Librarian" to a course in GauchoSpace. 

Follow the directions below to add the subject guide for your faculty. More detailed directions with screenshots can be seen in the Google Docs file here. 

  1. Log in to GauchoSpace and enter the class.
  2. Turn editing on (Upper right hand corner).
  3. In week or tab, click on "Add an activity or resource."
  4. Choose "External tool" from the list and click "Add."
  5. Name the activity, then select "Library Research Guide (auto-match)" from the preconfigured tool list. Click "Save and return to course."
  6. You should see a puzzle piece next to the name you gave the activity. 
  7. Click on the name, you will see the embedded research guide.

Follow the directions below to add the course guide for your faculty. More detailed directions with screenshots can be seen in the Google Docs file here. 

  1. Log in to GauchoSpace and enter the class.
  2. Turn editing on (Upper right hand corner).
  3. In week or tab, click on "Add an activity or resource."
  4. Choose "External tool" from the list and click "Add."
  5. Name the activity, then select "Library Research Guide (manual)" from the preconfigured tool list. Click "Save and return to course."
  6. You should see a puzzle piece next to the name you gave the activity.
  7. Click on the name, you'll be taken to an interface to choose the appropriate course guide.
    1. For LibGuides Site choose "Lib Guides - guides.library.ucsb.edu"
    2. For Content Type choose "Full LibGuide"
    3. For Guide, navigate to your course guide by name
  8. Click on Embed content and you'll return to the course screen.
  9. Click on the name, you will see the embedded research guide.

Sample language to send to faculty or instructors

Directions for how to add a Library Research Guide (auto-match) can be sent to faculty using the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11wF8GBVzobMsDvnz8lE6_ojDtjgWZRu9kAxzq-vx60g/edit?usp=sharing

Directions for how to add a Course Guide (Library Research Guide (manual) can be sent to the faculty using the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H0Eyb95oC-UJjGkeF7YBpoZw45-k-VtTzJDDnNf1ve8/edit?usp=sharing

Why would I use this tool rather than just linking to the library website?

Using the LTI to embed a research guide ensures that your students are taken directly to resources uniquely curated for the subject area. Additionally, since the embedded page is a live website, students can find up-to-date resources for research before leaving the GauchoSpace site. 

The guide I was matched with is too general for my class's assignment needs.

Reach out to your subject librarian and they'll work with you to either make sure what your class needs is added to the general subject guide, create a guide specifically for your class, or make targeted recommendations of sources to link to. 

I'm seeing a generic landing page rather than a research guide.

We were given a list of department abbreviations for the quarter to appropriately link the guides to your course. If you find the guide linked is not a great fit for your class, please email your subject librarian or contact the Teaching & Learning department. We will be happy to work with you!

My subject librarian created a course guide for my class, and I'd rather use than the subject guide.

There are directions here for how to navigate to and embed the course guide using the Library Research Guide (manual) option. If you have any difficulty locating the guide you need, please email your subject librarian or contact the Teaching & Learning department. We will be happy to work with you!