LibGuides: Content Creator Toolkit: Subject Guides

Examples

For Staff & Physicians

For Patients

Overview

Library Services' Subject Guide Collection creates clear pathways to information, reduces duplication of effort and user confusion, and standardizes evidence-based knowledge sharing within Nova Scotia Health and with external strategic partners (e.g. universities/colleges, community health care professionals, government, nursing homes) and patients by consolidating and curating resources for a specific audience within a defined health care topic.

Consider creating a subject guide when you need one place to

Bring together best practice knowledge and guidance for health care professionals
Bring together patient education and guidance across formats
Share evidence and best practices with professional colleagues working at other organizations (Dalhousie, Nova Scotia Government, nursing homes or care facilities, etc.)
Share findings, takeaways and knowledge products related to a quality or research project

Exceptions:

Operational/Administrative training is not included in the Subject Guide Collection. Training for local operational or business productivity processes and software (e.g. SAP, Time Capture, Teams) is hosted through internal systems (e.g. Learning Management System, Intranet) supported by IM/IT Services.
General patient information regarding services and locations is hosted through the Nova Scotia Health public website.
General administrative information (e.g. departmental strategic directions and priorities) may be hosted by the Nova Scotia Health corporate website.

You might be ready for a subject guide if you have

Related content in development (LMS module, patient pamphlet, policy, etc.)
A number of non-confidential original content pieces (handouts, videos, etc.) across a variety of formats
A collection of external resources supporting education on a specific topic

A subject guide might not be the right fit if

The resources you need to share are confidential and for employees only
You have not started to create or adapt existing content to support your need
Your information and resources are very general or directional in nature

Creation Process & Supports

Creation Process

Library Services will support you throughout the process of creating a subject guide by:

Helping you organize and establish your guide type, name, status (public or private), and base URL (e.g. library.nshealth.ca/Cancer)
Adding your resources and content in an agreed-upon structure
Giving you a preview URL, to preview a live demo of your subject guide
Finalizing your shareable, friendly URL and indexing it on the Library Services website
Supporting you with promotion and ongoing maintenance of your guide

Click on the image to the right for an overview of the subject guide creation process.

How to get started:

Complete the Content Creator Intake Questionnaire to request a Subject Guide.
Once the guide is approved, review and add your electronic signature to the Subject Guide Development & Support Agreement.
Review the Subject Guide Anatomy Reference and use the Subject Guide Development Tool to draft a layout of your guide.

Supporting Documents

Subject Guide Development Tool
Use this Word doc to help organize your subject guide labels and content. It will also help you communicate with us effectively!
Subject Guide Development Tool
Use this PowerPoint to help organize your subject guide labels and content.
Subject Guide Anatomy Reference
Use this guide alongside the Subject Guide Development tool to support conveying your content and layout ideas.

Content Creator Toolkit

Examples​

For Staff & Physicians​