LibGuides--Best Practices

Lists and Links

With database content, you generally can't use the URL found in the address bar.

  • On the database record for an item, look for something labeled as the:
    • permanent URL
    • stable URL
    • shareable URL
    • durable link
    • article citation link

Don't overwhelm the user; keep lists of links short

If you have a number of links, decide if they can be broken up into different boxes

A list of databases can be divided into "Key Databases" and "Related Databases"

In most cases, don't alphabetize the links; put the most relevant or useful ones at the top.

Formatting Links

Use link labels to hide URLs.

Instead of this:

Newman Library

http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/library/

Do this:

Newman Library

Link to Books

Watch this video on YouTube.

What If Our Catalog Doesn't Provide a Cover Image?

Link to eBooks

When linking to ebook collections or individual titles within ebook collections, please remember to check the "Add proxy URL to the front of this link" check box.

Do not copy the catalog description of the ebook like this:

Advertising age handbook of advertising[computer file] - Lewis, Herschell Gordon  Edit/Delete
Call Number: CUNY - netLibrary Collection - Access: Web Workstations

Instead, make the book title link directly to the ebook itself (not the catalog record):

Advertising Age Handbook of Advertising - Lewis, Herschell Gordon.

Get the permanent URL for the ebook when you bring up the book in whatever system has that book (netLibrary, ebrary, etc.)

Link to a Journal

Try to link to the Serials Solutions record in the Full Text Journal tool. This gives the user access options.

  1. Look up the journal in Full Text Journal tool.
  2. When you have identified the ISSN for the journal from the search results, run a new search using the ISSN field ("ISSN equals.")
  3. You'll get search results for that ISSN. Use the URL in the address bar as the link on your LibGuide.

Example

Instead of this link for Nature

Use this link which specifies the exact ISSN for Nature