Using templates in LibGuides v2 allows us to:
- re-evaluate and update existing content
- utilize new functionality
- reduce duplications of links and improving maintenance
- improve accessibility compliance
Accessibility / Universal Design
In addition to being a legal requirement, according to the American Community Survey, individuals with disabilities make up over 12.6% of the U.S. population in 2015. Harvard and M.I.T. were sued over lack of closed captioning. Accessibility is a necessity.
- When designing your guides, follow the principles of universal design and keep accessibility in mind to support patrons with disabilities.
- Add ALT+Text to images.
- Add closed captioning to video.
- Rethink drop-downs.
- Familiarize yourself with the following guidelines:
Link Assets vs Links Embedded in Rich Text Editor
- Resources should be linked as Assets to improve maintenance, avoid duplication, and facilitate statistics gathering.
- When you create a Link Asset inside your guide, it is automatically added to the Asset Repository.
- Avoid embedding links to resources in text where possible.
- It is OK to embed hypertext links for navigation.
- Remember that each box has a unique URL.
- If in doubt, check with Lee.
Databases: Add as Database Assets
- Only Admin can add a Database Asset
- You may add your own description or hide the default description.
- If you need to create a new database entry, email lleblanc@alamo.edu
- Rank resources by order of importance rather than alphabetically. Users appreciate a curated list of items, rather than a laundry list (Harvard).
Websites, Books, Documents: Add as Assets (Links, Books, Documents)
- Check if an asset is already available for re-use.
- Avoid creating multiple assets for the same link.
- Books are added as Books only if you want cover art. Books may also be added as links.
- When you add a link, book, document to your guide, it is automatically added to the asset repository.
Use default fonts
- Avoid applying different styles and colors for emphasis.
- Avoid using multiple colors of fonts or changing template colors. No more than two additional colors.
- Use Heading 3 for in-box headings.
Add Images
- You may add images from a personal or shared library.
- Provide a description in Alternative Text box (that would make sense for screen-readers).
- Identify source of image. Use size 9 font for credit.
- Check with Lee about using stock images.
- Save images into the Image Manager. Do NOT copy and paste or drag images--it creates a lot of extra coding.
Source: A screenshot taken by Karen. Font size 9.
Assigning Types, Groups, Subjects, and Tags
Subjects are Tags are located under the Title of the guide. You may use multiple Subject. Tags don’t require an underscore _.
Groups and Types may be assigned when creating a guide; or by clicking on the gear icon on the right-hand side
- Subject Guides
- Type: Subject Guide
- Group: don’t assign
- Subjects: assign relevant Subjects (one or more)
- Course Guides:
- Type: Course Guide
- Group: don't assign
- Subjects: assign relevant Subjects (one or more)
- General Purpose Guides (How To)
- Type: General Purpose
- Group: don’t assign
- Subjects: assign relevant Subjects (one or more)