Libguides Guidelines

Based on LibGuides usability studies, patrons do not want or need every resource that's available. If they want every database, they can look at the A-Z List. If they want more books, they can go to the catalog.

In our guides, they want our knowledge and expertise to highlight the best resources. They're looking for a curated list with information about why a particular resource will be useful to them.

As the abstract expressionist painter Hans Hofmann said:

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

• Follow steps on the Guidelines tab to ensure all portions of your guide are correct.
• Before adding content, check to see if anything can be reused. Does the asset already exist? Does the box already exist? Review the Reusing Content tab to see how to reuse assets, databases, links, and boxes.
• Review the Templates tab to ensure that your current guide has the correct/updated widget for databases, guides, or journals/Browzine. Contact O'Dell McGuire if you have any questions.

• Review list of databases and contact O'Dell McGuire to add or remove databases, as appropriate.
• Check and address broken links. Consider moving rich text links to assets.
• Check pages and sub-pages of active guides for nonfunctioning embedded content including RSS feeds, streaming media, images, and widgets. If no new material has been posted in a while consider changing or deleting the feed.

• All monthly tasks.
• Update your guide with fresh sources for the beginning of the semester. Does your guide align with the curriculum? Is the course still being taught? Speak with relevant faculty and liaison to ensure validity for program and campuses/sites.
• Review and update any instructions to ensure that steps are accurate. Be sure to go through the steps yourself to ensure accuracy.
• Review screenshots and update as needed. Check for updated interface, company name, Library logo, etc.
• Update images checking for currency, attribution, and relevance. If an image doesn't add to the content, remove it.
• Check tutorials and update when appropriate. Be sure to go through the tutorial yourself to ensure accuracy.

• All monthly tasks.
• All term break tasks.
• Review guide relevancy to the related program or course.
• Review relevancy to ensure applicability to all campuses/sites when not intended for a single campus/site.
• Check for dated content. Is there a recent version or better replacement available?
• Review unpublished or hidden guides, deleting those that are not needed.