Research Guides Standards and Best Practices

It’s important that there’s standardization of frequently used terms. Some examples:

• ebook not ebook. (E-book when used in a header or title.)
• e-journal not ejournal. (E-journal when used in a header or title.)
• catalog not catalogue.
• Web not web.
• website not web site.
• e-mail not email (E-mail when used in a header or title.)
• Internet / internet: Capitalize when used as a noun (i.e. "on the Internet") but not when used as an adjective (i.e. "internet resources)
• database not research database or online database.

Examples when referring to library products or services:

• Interlibrary Loan not ILL.
• WorldCat not WorldCat Local.
• research Guide not LibGuide(s). Only refer to LibGuides as the product not the content.
• page not tab: More about this distinction on the Getting Started page.

• Use "we" instead of "University of New Hampshire Libraries". Personal pronouns are more scannable and reduce text size. Users will know "we" refers to the UNH Libraries.
  • Bad: "The UNH Libraries can provide patrons with access to headphones."
  • Good: "We have headphones for you to check out." 
• Don't put opening or closing hours in your text. Hours are subject to change, and your text will quickly become out-dated. Link to the Hours page instead.
• Don't include screen shots of our website. Pages change, and screen shots become out-dated. Provide direct links rather then showing pictures of links.
• If a service applies to all libraries then you shouldn't need to specify in the title.
  • Bad: "PHOTOCOPYING (ALL LIBRARIES)"
  • Good: "PHOTOCOPYING"
• Prefer context to text. We often use words when the meaning is obvious from context.
  • Bad: "For help, contact the Research Center (email: ask@unh.libanswers.com, phone: 603-862-1544)."
  • Good: "Contact the Research Center (ask@unh.libanswers.com • 603-862-1544) for help."
• Don't use absolute directions/positions when referring to a specific box/column. Your guide is responsive and columns will shift around for different screen sizes. 
  • Bad: "See the box on the right for additional information."
  • Good: "Additional information can be found in the Resources box."

• Database titles should be italicized except when used in a database asset.
• Use the ampersand ("&") only in guide, page or box titles and never in text unless referring to a title in which it is used.

The following words often hint at problems:

• digital or electronic or e-* : Patrons–especially students–expect most resources to be available on the Web.
  • Bad: "Online help is available through our chat reference service."
  • Good: "Visit our chat reference service for help."
• library or libraries : This is the UNH Libraries Research Guides site, so visitors will assume you are talking about the UNH Libraries and their resources.
  • Bad: "Find this book in the library catalog."
  • Good: "Find this book."
• clarify buildings, branches, and campuses as necessary.
  • Bad: "Study rooms are available in the library."
  • Good: "Study rooms are available in Dimond, EMCS, Chemistry, and Physics libraries."
• University of New Hampshire or UNH
  • Bad: "UNH Libraries' xxx Program"
  • Good: "xxx Program"
• most or some : be specific and include links to help user navigate
  • Bad : "Guest printing is available in most libraries."
  • Good: "Guest printing is available except in X library."