Link checking - LibGuides Workshops - Summer 2016 - LibGuides at University of Nebraska Omaha

To do list:

Check that links lead where you want them to go
Evaluate the quality/currency of links
Update book links to lead to new catalog
Look for links to old website and change them
Make sure links/databases are entered in system as the correct asset type
Annotate links with 1-2 sentences

Why do these things?

This week is especially important for Criss Library folks, since we just rolled out a new website. We need to clean up any old links (and screenshots) to the old website/catalog. In general, links need to be checked regularly, which can be facilitated by using Springshare's link checker tool.

Letting students take the lead: A user-centred approach to evaluating subject guides - Evidence based library and information practice
Students prefer links to have succinct annotations to resources.
LibGuides Usability Testing: Customizing a Product to Work for Your Users - University of Washington
Guides should provide context and guidance. Students don't like lists of resources without descriptions.
LibGuides Best Practices - Springshare
Use the correct asset type for the content you're using (database link for databases, etc.) Assets are reusable, using them correctly makes it easier to make changes across guides, Springshare link checker can't check links if they're in a rich text box, and using the correct box makes it easier to aggregate statistics.
The Enduring Landscape of Online Subject Research Guides
Guide links must be checked for accuracy. Link checker does not catch every problem - humans checking links are best.