The Sheridan Libraries

Toolbox and How To for LibGuides

This guide contains reusable content and tips for working in LibGuides 2.0.

Reusing v. Copying

For boxes and pages, you have the option to copy or link to existing content.

REUSE - When you choose to reuse a box or page, by default the system will create linked content. This means that every time the source is updated, your content will reflect those changes. Only the original creator has editing rights. 

 

COPY - If you would like to simply use another box or page as a starting point, you will need to put a check in the box that says "copy." When you create a copy, the original content appears in your guide as is. You may transform and alter without affecting the source.

 

Reusing is strongly recommended - copying puts more work on you when the original box changes, and yields inconsistent messaging.

See the videos page for special instructions on reusing videos.

Choosing Content

 
  • Unique, subject specific content
  • Meaningful guides that showcase the most important or frequently used information.  Guides should not try to answer every question a researcher may have - that's what YOU are for!
    • Keep guides to 10 main pages or less, and no more than 3 subpages per main page.
  • Link to other guides when appropriate. No need to reinvent the wheel if we have good content elsewhere!
  • Use images that provide meaning.
  • Plain, natural language.
  • Empowering your user - get them to what they need, but don't let the guide be a replacement for you.
  • Scaffolding. (Bielat, Befus and Arnold, 2013)
  • The Rules of 3

  • Library jargon. Try to avoid it altogether, but if you must use it, be sure to provide a brief explanation.
  • Recreating content generated elsewhere.  If someone else has already created a box, guide, page, etc. about a particular service, location, skill, etc., don't recreate the wheel. Strive to maintain consistent messaging across all guides.
  • Boxes with links to services.  Users aren't coming to the guides to access interlibrary loan - they want resources. Access to our services is easily provided through the library homepage.
  • Images that do not provide meaning or contribute to the instructional or informational content of the guide.
    • pictures of libraries. Exception: pictures of a specific location to which is being referenced in the guide.
    • See the images section of the toolkit for tips on using images.
  • Guides with more than 10 main pages, and more than 3 subpages per page.  The guide has become too large to be helpful to students. Consider cutting content, or dividing the guide into logical parts for smaller guides.
  • General instructions on how to do XYZ at the library.  Request that content be added to the Finding guide if something is missing.  Exception: If your students need help doing something very specific related to your guide/topic.

Applying the SOI model:

  • helps you (and the learners) focus on the relevant info

  • helps you to think about which details really matter, and consider where can the learner reasonably fill in gaps on their own

  • Review class assignments from your subject areas
  • Look at the reserves holdings for courses in your departments.
  • Review questions from students and faculty
    • Email reference questions (to you, and to RCO)
    • RCO stats
    • Look particularly at the questions referred to you by an Information Desk student, and by other librarians.  Could the question have been answered by someone else if the info had been on the guide, or easier to find on the guide, or was it really an in-depth question that needed your subject expertise?

Basic Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Guides

  1. Is the most important information readily available to the reader? (Or, is the focus of the page immediately clear?)
  2. Does it make sense? (Lowest common denominator -- if a student is looking at this page for the first time, will she be able to get the information she needs?)
  3. Is it well organized? Does it flow well when reading?
  4. Are paragraphs, lists, etc. used in appropriate places?
  5. Is all spelling and punctuation correct?
  6. Are links correctly labeled and used in appropriate places?
  7. Do links work?
  8. Is spacing clean? Are there any extra breaks between paragraphs, etc.?
  9. Are bullets used correctly?
  10. Are headings the right size?
  11. Is text the right size?
  • Last Updated: Mar 14, 2024 9:48 AM
  • URL: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/toolbox
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