UC San Diego Library

Libraries purchase thousands of databases, eJournals and eBooks each year, but their usage is relatively low. Research shows users understand the credibility and quality of library resources and prefer to use them if they can find them. But the complexity of information structure and poor design of many library websites make it difficult for users to discover this wealth of resources. How can librarians help make resources more discoverable to library users? Strategies successfully implemented at the University of California San Diego include better website design and navigation, Web 2.0-enriched subject portals, RSS for featured resources/services, user-controlled embeddable gadgets and tactics to link physical and the virtual libraries.