Box Types in LibGuides
As we use the Side Nav template, there are 4 box types to choose from in LibGuides. They are:
- Standard box - the most used box in libguides. Select the Add / Reorder button to add rich text, links, databases, etc.
- Tabbed box - use to include multiple tabs of content in a single box. You must never use more than 1 line of tabs.
- Profile box - each member of library staff, with a Springshare account, has their own profile box that can be customised to include name, contact details, photo, etc.
- Gallery box - to create a box of rotating images.
To ensure that CityLibrary guides have a consistent look and feel, box/tab styles and link colours have been preset.
Standard boxes
This is a standard box. Select a standard box if you want to use:
- rich text, html and images,
- assets lists of databases or links,
- books from Library Search,
- LibWizard item,
- LibAnswers widget.
See the Assets page for examples of using the different types of assets.
When copying content into a standard box, don't forget to use the remove formatting button in the text editor to avoid copying over bad code. Or you could copy your text into Note pad to remove formatting.
Too much content for standard boxes? Consider using the Tabbed box type or you could try making an FAQ widget.
Example of a LibAnswers Widget
If you have a lot of information to present such as instructions on using databases or how to... content, consider linking to a custom list of LibAnswers through an embedded widget.
Below is an example of a list of a LibAnswers widget. The benefits of using a LibAnswers widget is that you can reuse content which is already available in LibAnswers (always search for and reuse existing content). When LibAnswers are updated, your content will update too. You can easily tag or add additional LibAnswers to include in your list.
Tabbed box example
A tabbed box allows you to divide content in a box across multiple tabs. When a user selects a tab in the box, then they will see the content added to the panel under that tabs.
Tabbed boxes work best when grouping similar content together. For example, this box separates different content related to tabbed boxes, but it could be different elements of a database.
Springshare have a guide on how to use tabbed boxes which include full instructions.
- Keep the number of tabs to one layer only. This helps with readability and usability, especially for screenreaders who will have to navigate through each tab before they can read the content on the panel they have selected.
- Keep the names of your tabs concise to avoid the tabs displaying on multiple rows.
- Select the Add box link.
- Give the box a name.
- Choose type "tabbed" from the dropdown.
- Check floating box.
- When your box is added to the page. You can add tabs.
Gallery boxes
Gallery boxes (also known as carousels) are not used due to accessibility issues. Here are some alternatives:
Ways to display book titles
- If you have lots of items to include, create a reading list on Talis Reading Lists Online, then embed the link on the guide.
- If you have a few books to display use the Books from Catalogue asset link. Check if the book you want to use has already been added.
- Use a customised display for example: Wellbeing books - Wellbeing: self-help resources. This is available on request and must be regularly checked and updated.