Frequently Asked Questions About LibGuides

Below is some additional information about LibGuides - things we couldn't fit on other pages. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Is LibGuides a hosted system?

LibGuides is a hosted system. We run the LibGuides platform on our servers and provide support and free upgrades, so your library simply needs to subscribe and off you go. We make daily backups of our databases and keep old backups for weeks so your data is safe with us. You will never have to worry about losing your LibGuides content.

How much is the LibGuides license?

The cost of an annual license for LibGuides depends on the size of your institution and the number of libraries involved. We try to customize the pricing for every client, to meet their specific needs (as well to fit within their budgets!). The annual license fee ranges from $899 to $2,999. Most libraries would fall under the lower license range. Contact us with information about your institution and we'll give you an exact quote. Chances are, you'll be pleasantly surprised - LibGuides is a great deal, any way you look at it!

Are there any other fees involved?

The only other - optional - fee is $60/year for custom domain mapping. The standard license includes a subdomain on the libguides.com domain, but for $60/year extra we can do custom domain mapping and make the system respond to your institutional domain (e.g. libguides.yourschool.edu, or anything.yourschool.edu, or - for public libraries - libguides.yourdomain.org, or anything.yourdomain.org).

There are no other fees associated with running LibGuides - free support and free upgrades are included in the annual license fee.

Can we pro-rate the license to coincide with our fiscal year?

Sure. So go ahead and order your system today!

Will my institution have a customized system, just for us?

Yes! Even though LibGuides is a hosted system, we build a customized LibGuides for each institution. For examples, take a look at LibGuides @ BC, Dalhousie LibGuides, Libguides @ Drury, or DePauw LibGuides. Your patrons will only see content and Guides from your librarians.

How long does it take to build our system?

One day. We just need the name and email address of the librarian system administrator at your institution, and the domain you'd like to use (if you chose the custom domain option).

How is the demo system different than a real customized system?

It is not different in terms of the features. Everything you can do in your own system you can do in the demo as well. That's why our LibGuides demo is a great way to learn all about the features and experience LibGuides just as if it was installed at your institution. The demo is located at http://demo.libguides.com. You do need an account so send us an email to get one.

Do we lose our data if we decide to cancel LibGuides?

Not that you would ever want to cancel (remember the reviews - LibGuides is "addictive", "hyper-cool", and "incredibly useful" - their words, not ours!) but if your institution does the unthinkable and cancels the LibGuides license we will give you back your data in an XML format within 30 days of the cancellation. After that, you can use that data in any way you see fit.

Is there any paperwork involved?

Just a little. Your institution needs to sign our standard license agreement. You can access it here. If there are specific concerns you have with the agreement, please contact us and we'll work it out with you. We also need your institution's non-profit/state sales tax exemption letter. This is a standard form that institutions send to vendors, in order not to get charged the state sales tax. Please fax the signed agreement and the sales tax exemption to our fax number at 646-417-6439.