These links go to help provided by Springshare, the LibGuides vendor.

Create guides that meet user's needs

• Include users in the creation /evaluation process whenever possible
• Have subject specialists design pages for their user groups

Less is more: write and arrange content for easy scanning / browsing

• See Web Style Guide: Online Style for more information.
  

Do not use library jargon

• Add a word of explanation if a database name does not clearly identify its purpose.
  EMBASE (Health Sciences)
• Include descriptions when creating a list of resources to help users make selections.

Limit the number of tabs to one line

• Users do not always see the tabs so consider adding internal navigation when you use them.

Use tab sub-pages with caution

• Sub-pages add complexity to user navigation. Always include internal navigation when you use sub-pages.

Make tab names meaningful and short

• Always rename the home tab because otherwise users think they can use the Home tab to go the Guides home page or go to the Library's home page.
• If you create a tab that links to another guide or webpage consider using "Go to" in front of the tab name to make it somewhat clearer what is happening.
• Note: guides with only one page will not have a tab when displayed to users.

Avoid box clutter

• Consider using only two columns of boxes. Some usability studies report that guides with this design are easier for users to navigate.
• Consider adding internal page links if the page content requires scrolling.

Remember mobile users when you arrange boxes on pages

• Guides on mobile devices default to a simpler layout with the left most box displaying at the top.
• If you do not have a mobile device, click on the link to Mobile Device in the footer to see how the page looks.

Emphasizing text

• Do not use red text or underlines for emphasis on the web.
• Do not use large text for emphasis. It is usally used to represent organization hierarchy.
• Do not over use bold text for emphsis.
• See Web Style Guide for ideas about how to emphasize text. Again, as many things in web design, consistency and "less is more" is the general guideline.

Reuse content

• Content that is likely to appear on multiple pages can be created once and used on all pages.You can reuse boxes you create yourself, or reuse ones created for use across all guides.
• Examples of reusable boxes used on HSL pages are to the right. All of the currently available reusable boxes are here: http://guides.lib.unc.edu/LinkToTheseBoxes
• Links can be reused so that they only need updating in one place.

These links go to usability based style guides from other LibGuide sites.

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