Content Style Guide: What Content Goes Where

One of the best ways to ensure that our website is user-friendly is to follow industry best practices, keep the content focused on key user tasks, and keep our content up-to-date at all times.

Note

This page is still being developed and represents aspirational goals for the future and will be revised.

Intro

We have multiple platforms that serve different purposes. It’s important that similar content is co-located so users can more easily navigate and discover resources. It also makes it easier for us to manage our various kinds of content.

Informational = Library Website (CMS 4)

The library website should be used for content focused on current patron needs (information about services, locations, etc.).

a) Core Content – managed by the Web Services Librarian

  • Information about central services and resources that are used across library units (for example, delivery services, technology resources). This content should be organized according to user tasks and needs which may not map neatly to our internal organizational chart structure.

b) Special Content – managed by designated individuals or groups

  • Information about projects and initiatives, news and events, and administrative areas (for example, staff directory and homepage ads (Web Services Librarian), strategic planning (Dean's Office))

c) Unit Content – managed by individual units

Instructional = Subject Guides (LibGuides)

LibGuides should be used for content that’s “how-to” in nature, content that guides users about library resources for subject areas, or content created specifically for a class or class assignment.

FAQs = LibAnswers

LibAnswers should be used for content that is both (a) core content and (b) takes the form of questions and answers that can be repurposed across multiple pages in LibGuides. 

If you have suggestions or feedback for LibAnswers, please contact Matthew Reidsma, Web Services Librarian (reidsmam@gvsu.edu).

Staff-focused Content = SharePoint

The SharePoint site should be used for any content where the primary audience is us.

Legacy Content = University Archives

Content that doesn’t currently serve an important purpose (whether for patrons or for staff) but has continued value for historical reasons is usually better suited for the University Archives. Please contact the Archivist for Collection Management, Annie Benefiel (benefiea@gvsu.edu), if you have content that needs to be archived.

Other

If you have a need that doesn’t fit neatly into one of these categories, contact the Web Services Librarian for advice.

Your friendly Web Services Librarian

Profile Photo
Matthew Reidsma
Contact:
340C LIB
(616) 331-3577
Website

Credits

Guide content originally created by Suzanne Chapman for the University of Illinois Libraries. Licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons By 4.0 license.

  • Last Updated: Aug 14, 2023 1:40 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.gvsu.edu/styleguide