Unfortunately there isn’t an easy answer and sometimes libraries need to stop worrying about serving everyone (and all their needs) and focus on doing just one thing, preferably that which adds the most value to their customers, really well.

Just over a year ago, I wrote a post with some suggestions on how libraries might go about this. Essentially I suggest libraries focus on their most valuable customers and offer some ways to identify who they may be.

When I was at UI&U in 2006, I developed a tutorial primarily based on Western Michigan University’s Open Publication Tutorial SearchPath (http://www.wmich.edu/library/searchpath/docs/opl/license.html) which used frames to guide students through searching exercises similar to your example at the University of Arizona with instructions on the left and the live site on the right. Because the tutorial was at that time required for certain programs to take, I felt that it needed some interactivity to engage students. It is still up and running. Here’s an example of one of the practice searches. http://www.myunion.edu/library/tutorial/mod5/20-live-keyword-search.html.

Hope our paths cross again soon. Miss you in VT!