Click the link below to download the Best Practices PDF which includes information from both the Content and Accessibility & Design pages on this guide.
In alignment with the ALA Code of Ethics,
we significantly influence or control the selections, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information.
With power comes responsibility to provide appropriate gateways to information that broadens access rather than restricts. Thus, links to databases and indexes, rather than just links to specific sources.
Some relevant principles from the Code of Ethics:
LibGuides should be created using the best practices and standards of our profession and the discipline(s) the Guide is addressing, targeting the needs and interests of institution and its users. When constructing your LibGuides, self-reflection is always helpful to consider whether there are perspectives and/or voices that haven't been included that might be relevant or blind spots you might have.
When constructing a LibGuide, you should have a well-defined vision of the purpose of your guide and your audience. A brief synopsis of the page and its purpose should be included in the description field. In some cases a lengthier "Introduction" tab or box might be appropriate as well.
To improve your guides, you can do usability testing with your target audience. Try asking students to look over your guide and give feedback on what is clear or unclear about it.
Website users often scan content so it's important to keep text short and concise, keeping the audience in mind.