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Standards for Creating LibGuides

Requirements

  Page Layout for Subject / Topic / Course Guides
  Guide landing page (Get Started) adheres to a side navigation, two-column layout with core boxes listing requisite number of recommended resources and relevant guides
  Guide consists of 10 or fewer pages total
  Subsequent guide pages use one-column or two-column layout
  Subsequent page titles consistent with recommended conventions

Navigation & Layout

All guides must utilize a side navigation, two-column layout, or a single page display layout. For side navigation guides, the guide homepage must have a two-column layout; however, subsequent pages may display a one or two-column layout.

To create a side navigation, two-column layout for an existing guide:

  1. Select the Guide Layout drop-down menu from the toolbar in the guide you are editing or creating.
  2. Choose the Guide Navigation Layout. In the pop-up box that appears, use the drop-down menu to choose the Side-Nav Layout > Template for Subject, Course & Topic Guides option.
  3. Select Save.

If creating a single-page guide, for Template, select Tabs Layout > Template for Single Page Guide. Single Page Displays should not display any tabbed navigation, and they may utilize a one, two, or three-column layout.

Rationale: According to the University of Washington Libraries, consistency across all subject guide homepages “helps orient users as they navigate across guides, and makes the guides more recognizable” (source: University of Washington Libraries’ LibGuides Guidelines and Best Practices 2).

Navigation and Layout

To use the one or two-column template you need to know which columns create the one or two column displays. Use Column 1 for a one column layout, Columns 2 and 3 or Columns 4 and 5, for the two column layout, or a combination of the two.

column widths