Library Skills training online

All online library skills materials should be maintained according to the following guidance in order to ensure they are kept up to date and fit for purpose. 

• Online skills materials review checklist
• Scope of online skills materials
• Responsibility
• Frequency and updating window

See our Checklist for content to be updated in library skills and induction materials, Summer 2024, for changes to library resources and relevant platforms that have taken place in the academic session 2023-4 which may therefore need updating in library skills and induction materials in time for the start of session 2024-5.

• Feedback: Review feedback received for the material in question from feedback forms where relevant. If the resource is an online tutorial or LibGuide it should have a link to the standard feedback forms in LibWizard, so where there is currently no feedback form for this type of material, consider creating a unique URL for the resource in the appropriate form in LibWizard and add a link to the resource. You can also add a feedback button to a short feedback form on a skills LibGuide. See Feedback surveys. Videos and other individual materials do not require a feedback form.
• Links: Links should be checked to ensure they are still current, and updated as necessary. In LibGuides the Link Checker can be used. Links to resources or websites should be reviewed to see if they are still relevant or desirable to refer to. Additional useful links or resources should also be considered and added accordingly.
• Interface or website changes: Check instructions are still correct and any screenshots / screencasts reflect the existing interface or website for any resources covered by the online skills material.
• Accessibility: Accessibility principles should be considered throughout the review and adjustments made in line with current expected standards.
• Content: Make amendments to content as necessary, unless revisions required are substantial.
• Full review required? Consider the following to determine whether a fuller review and development is required: Where this is the case, a project could be commissioned. It would need to be determined whether the resource / material should be updated or decommissioned in the meantime. Please consult with the Online Library Skills Working Group as relevant.
  • Format: Is the format and technology used for the resource still fit for purpose? There may have been advances in the technologies available to us and / or advances in our expertise of online pedagogy which might mean the resource would benefit from being re-designed in an alternative format.
  • Content and structure: Are significant changes required to the content or structure.

Online skills materials include the following;

• Skills LibGuides. See Best practice for UCL LibGuides: Maintain your guide.
• Videos. In UCL MediaCentral and made available as part of other online skills materials. Videos made available to academic programmes and available in Moodle courses or other internal platforms should also be updated.
• Articulate Storyline skills tutorials, including online library tours, or other materials created using Articulate 360.
• Sway lessons available on library skills platforms.
• Moodle content on the LibrarySkills@UCL Moodle course.
  Note: All content still available on the LibrarySkills@UCL Moodle course should be subject to a full review at a convenient opportunity as we plan to withdraw the LibrarySkills@UCL Moodle course and make all content openly available via LIbGuides.
• Any other online skills materials made available via public websites or platforms internal to UCL / affiliated NHS Trusts.

Responsibility for maintaining and developing online skills materials should be determined when the material is created. Unless otherwise agreed, the creators of online skills materials are responsible for their ongoing maintenance and are the 'owner(s)' of the material.

Enhancements and development of online skills material may be the responsibility of the owner(s) or can be addressed through task and finish project groups, which may be proposed by the owner(s). The Online Library Skills Working Group is responsible for commissioning and supporting project groups for new and developmental projects.

Ownership of all online skills materials on LibrarySkills@UCL platforms should be reviewed annually to ensure owners are still able to continue to maintain the materials, and to provide opportunity for other colleagues to contribute.

Ownership of Library Skills LibGuides are the editors, which are listed in the List of LibrarySkills LibGuides, on the Library Skills Trainers Teams site.

Updating should take place as follows:

• Owners should keep up to date with any developments to resources, principles or techniques included in the materials for which they are responsible and make amendments to materials as required.
• All online skills materials should be reviewed for currency and fitness for purpose using the 'Online skills materials review checklist' on an annual basis. We recommend this takes place between June and September so that all materials are 'refreshed' in time for the start of the new academic session.
• Recommendations for updating UCL LibGuides suggest guides should be reviewed on a termly basis. Whilst this is recommended, for Library Skills LIbGuides the requirement is annual.
• For Library Skills LibGuides, the date the guide was last reviewed for currency should be recorded in the List of LibrarySkills LibGuides, on the Library Skills Trainers Team site.