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*FAU LibGuides: Standards & Best Practices | Internal: Layout & Design

Best Practices for LibGuide Layout

Website Design

ORGANIZING YOUR PAGES

STRUCTURING YOUR GUIDE

  • Don't have a double-row of tabs
  • Don't have a LibGuide that is only one page of content

VISUAL APPEAL

  • Only underline if the text is hyperlinked.
  • Utilize the recommended color schemes.

Examples of the Different Navigation Options

To Tab or Not to Tab?

LibGuides 2 allows you to stick with traditional tab layout OR you can switch and have a side navigation menu on the left of the screen. Click on the Side Navigation tab above to see what this new display looks like.

FAU Reference Department will be using traditional top tabs. Check with your Department Head to see if side navigation will be offered for your Department/Campus.

Make LibGuides More Like Tutorials

LibGuides 2 allows you to easily attach Preview and Next buttons to the bottom of your pages. Click on the Tutorial Buttons tab above to learn more.

The side navigation option creates a left-side menu bar for each of your pages. 

NOTE: This option is currently disabled for all FAU guides. Check with your Department Head to see if side navigation will be offered for your Department/Campus.

Screenshot of Side Navigation example

Screenshot of Guide Navigation Layout option to select Side Navigation instead of Tabbed

 

To use the Side Navigation option:

  1. Select Guide Navigation Layout under the Edit Guide icon. 
  2. Select the Side Nav. option
  3. Check boxes if you wish to display subpages or box headers.

 

 

The Previous / Next buttons are easy ways for users to navigate through your guides. When this option is selected, the previous and next buttons will automatically show using the titles you have created for your pages.

Screenshot view of previous and next buttons at bottom of page

To add Tutorial Buttons:

     1.  Click on Prev / Next Links in the Edit Guide menu

Screenshot of Previous and Next buttons

     2. In the box that pops up, check the box to display the buttons and click Save.

Naming your Pages

When naming your pages, be CONCISE, CLEAR, and CONSISTENT.

AVOID LIBRARY JARGON. Always consider your audience. For freshman, articles is a lot less ambiguous than databases.  Remember that students are less likely to click on something that they don't understand, so even having an explanation on the page will not necessarily be enough.

MAKE SURE THE NAME OF THE PAGE SUMMARIZES ALL ITS CONTENT.  If the page includes links to websites, books, and journals, make sure the link says Recommended Resources instead of just Websites. 

ESTABLISH A CLEAR PURPOSE AND NAVIGATION FOR THE GUIDE. If you want students to progress through your guide in a certain way, consider renaming the homepage, adding prev/next buttons, or even adding Step 1, Step 2 helpers to the names of your guide pages.

Examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attribution