Metadata
Friendly URLS
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Assign all guides a friendly URL using keywords about the guide
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Why?
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Shorter
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Easy to remember
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Describe page
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Subjects
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Assigning a guide a subject allows it to be grouped with other guides in the same subject
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Allows for easier finding/searching
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Please contact taray@valdosta.edu for the creation of a new subject
Tags
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Do not use subjects as tags
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For course guides, include various forms of the course name/number. Instructor name may be added as a tag as well.
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Ex: ENGL1101, ENGL 1101, English 1101
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Learn more about how to add these to your guide in VSU's Libguide Training Guide.
Checklist
Before publishing your LibGuide, check the following:
- Guide has tags
- Guide is assigned a type (including a subject if available)
- Guide has a friendly URL
- The accessibility of the guide has been checked
- Either manually or through a accessibility checker
- Check for headings, alt text, and link descriptions
- Databases and links are assets and not listed in a rich text box
- Boxes, pages, and assets are mapped when able/applicable
- All content has been evaluated for relevance
- Is all content necessary?
- Do I have redundant sources?
- Can I remove any unnecessary sources/links/text/etc to reduce cognitive load
- Guide is free of jargon
- Resources are sorted by relevance
- Guide has a welcome message with an introduction to the guide on the main page
- Guide has been checked on mobile view
How to View on Mobile
To view in mobile open the guide in preview mode and right-click anywhere on the screen.
From the new window, select the icon on the right of the screen that includes a laptop and a phone. On the left side of the screen, you can view how your guide looks on different devices by selecting these from the Dimensions drop-down menu.
Reading
Conrad, S., & Stevens, C. (2019). "Am I on the library website?": A usability study. Information Technology & Libraries, 38(3), 49-81. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v38i3.10977
Emery, J. L., & Francher, S. E. (2016). Pay attention to the data behind the curtain: Leveraging LibGuides analytics for maximum impact. In R. L. Sitler & A. W. Dobbs (Eds.) Innovative Libguide application: Real world examples. (pp. 113-127). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
