Figure 1: Sample sidebar tutorial.
Springshare’s suite of cloud- and browser-based products
(LibApps) for libraries includes LibWizard, a multi-purpose form
tool for libraries. LibWizard V1 was retired January 15, 2020.
This review is of V2 and was conducted between March and April,
2020.
LibWizard is designed for libraries and library workers. The product’s purpose is creation and management of online forms, quizzes, and tutorials. LibWizard complements and integrates effectively with existing Springshare LibApps (LibGuides, LibAnswers, etc.), however, it can be used as a standalone product.
LibWizard provides a relatively simple and customizable user
interface for designing web-based forms. Forms can be designed for
research, assessment, or instructional needs, but quality will
depend on the creator’s knowledge and familiarity with survey
design methods and online user experience.
Like other LibApps, LibWizard is cloud-based and accessed via a
web browser. Two options are available: a full-featured
subscription, or LibWizard Lite. This review is of the full
LibWizard subscription. The lite version is limited only to forms
and surveys with the associated statistical reporting dashboard
(quizzes and tutorials are only available in the full
subscription). Other touted features include LibGuides
integration, automated grading, and allowing users to upload
files.
Libraries and librarians in any sector may benefit from this
product. Resulting forms can be used for staff and administrative
needs, or targeted at library users for program or assessment
purposes.
Though LibWizard includes instructional and assessment tools,
this product is in no way a replacement for a fully-featured
learning management system (LMS), but may suffice as a simple
solution for smaller libraries or organizations with an online
education mandate.
Ultimately, three of the four promoted tools - forms, surveys,
and quizzes - are all very alike. They are not unlike other simple
form building and data collection tools already available (Google
Forms, RedCap). Forms and surveys are near indistinguishable,
aside from how they are presented. Quizzes are much like forms and
surveys as well, but can include question-and-answer banks to
automate grading and reporting.
Tutorials introduce the feature of embedded web pages alongside
forms - allowing the creator to embed a library catalogue,
home page, or just about any other website in the user’s browser
window.
Tutorials come in two forms - one embeds a sidebar to any website, which can then be opened as a guide to the content already on-screen. (Figure 1)
The other form of tutorial is a standalone website, with
instructions and forms on the left, and an embedded website window
on the right side of the screen. (Figure
2)
LibWizard is a browser and cloud-based product, intended to be used in most modern web browsers (Chrome, IE, Edge, Firefox). No issues were encountered in reviewing or testing the product with any of these browsers.
Springshare acknowledges that the iFrames (embedded windows) may pose problems for out of date browsers. Though no issues were encountered, it is recommended to avoid outdated browsers to prevent potential technical difficulties.
Forms display clearly in mobile as well as desktop browsers.
Tutorials employing the embedded web pages, however, will not be
conducive to most mobile interfaces.
LibWizard is an online based tool (software-as-a-service). It can
be deployed on its own, or as part of Springshare’s LibApps or
LibGuides content management systems (CMS) products.
Some initial training may be necessary in order to bring staff
and administrators up to speed on the product and its features.
Content (form) creators will benefit from having some skill and
experience with HTML, CSS, and general web design.
The form builder is easy to use, but long and content-rich forms
and tutorials can quickly become complex. The interface takes some
initial adjusting to. There are some considerable learning curves,
especially if users are inexperienced with similar products.
LibWizard provides a multitude of interactive, online form
solutions for libraries. Forms are relatively easy to create and
manage, and reports can be generated and viewed with a few simple
clicks. Libraries and librarians familiar with existing
Springshare tools and products will find LibWizard an easy
adjustment, given it uses the same general user interface as other
products.
The ability to embed web pages via tutorials is a welcome
feature here, permitting increased interactivity and feedback in
any library’s online instruction programs.
Quality of forms and tutorials ultimately depends on the skill
level of the creator. No matter how feature-rich or capable this
product is, it is no replacement for proper training and
instruction on survey design and online usability. Surveys, forms,
and quizzes are barely different, despite Springshare’s
insistence, in its promotional marketing, that they are distinct
features of the product. Ultimately they are the same. Forms,
surveys, and quizzes, in fact, all use the same interface for
design. The only real differences include the methods of deploying
the form, survey, or quiz (embedded vs. standalone vs. emailed)
and that for quizzes, there is a question-and-answer bank. Aside
from the rather arbitrary classification of form, survey, and
quiz, few issues or negative experiences were identified.
Few comparisons can be made with this product. Though other form
designers are available (Google Forms, RedCap, etc.), most do not
have an instructional mandate in addition to fulfilling a need for
rigorous data collection. With the inclusion of the quizzes,
forms, and surveys, as well as the embedded website tutorials,
this is a rather unique product package.RedCap would be a superior
choice for researchers dealing with sensitive data. Google Forms
are free, but limited in scope and features.
LibWizard tutorials and quizzes are conducive to most
instructional needs, but would not act as a substitute for a CMS
or LMS.
USD. Contact Springshare representative for pricing.
Figure 1: Sample sidebar tutorial.
Figure 2:
Sample standalone tutorial.
1. Springshare. Assessment Sharing Widget
Example [Internet]. n.d. [cited 2020 Apr 30]. Available from:https://s3.amazonaws.com/libapps/customers/1/images/LWZ_AT_FullTutorialExample.png
2. Springshare. eBooks Tutorial [Internet]. n.d.
[cited 2020 Apr 30]. Available from https://s3.amazonaws.com/libapps/customers/1/images/LWZ_AT_FullTutorialExample.png
Lukas Miller
B.Mus, M.L.I.S.
Clinical Librarian, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Email: lukas.miller@saskhealthauthority.ca
Miller
This article is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
