Transforming LibGuides: A Case Study (February 2026)
Join us as we explore the technical and political processes of
overhauling and streamlining our LibGuides and the A-Z database list.
Through case studies, we will describe how we built on existing
relationships, created new workflows, and secured buy-in for what is a
total overhaul of the ways Georgia Tech Library employees share their
expertise with an online audience. In addition to developing a template,
rubric, and style guide for content creators, we created a team to
redefine database links, update descriptions, remove extraneous icons,
ensure title consistency, and conduct thorough subject association
reviews. We will provide insights into the strategic decisions and
collaborative efforts that drove this transformation, including
cognitive load principles, accessibility standards to optimize the user
experience, and emphasizing the use of plain language. In an age of
information deluge, our approach demonstrates that less is indeed more,
and buy-in from all parts of the library organization is essential.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Define best practices for presenting library resources to online users;
- Identify areas for improvement in their library’s subject guides and database lists;
- Imagine workflows that successfully function across different units and position types; and
- Discuss the technical and political processes involved in changing fundamental parts of their library’s website.
Who Should Attend: Library
employees who assist users or work on library systems; anyone who
supervises employees who do these things; or library leaders and
administrators who want to improve their user experience.
Presenters:
project manager on the library’s LibGuides Evaluation and Development project. A library professional since 1994, Marlee has an MLS from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in French from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. in French from Washington University in St. Louis. She completed two certificates in learning design from the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Liz Holdsworth (they/them) is Head of Academic Engagement at the Georgia Tech Library. They earned an M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Asheville. They provide leadership for all aspects of instruction- related policies, procedures, and practices that support student learning and assesses programs in relation to student success. They engage as a thought-leader with faculty and colleagues in developing and enhancing strategies for an inclusive library culture.
Heather Jeffcoat (she/her), the Web and Discovery Management Librarian at the Georgia Tech Library, champions the Institute's vision by cultivating a "community of learning, discovery, and creation" through outstanding service and pioneering support in library technologies and digital resources. Jeffcoat holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Geography from the University of South Carolina. Jeffcoat oversees the Library’s digital landscape, including the discovery system Primo. Her leadership in technology initiatives centers on elevating library services, and her proactive approach to exploring, recommending, and adopting emerging tools and applications, ensures a comprehensive and reliable online experience for all who use the library. She is the 2023 recipient of the Frances Kaiser Award from the Georgia Tech Library, and the 2025 recipient of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) Extraordinary Service and Leadership Award.
Tech Requirements