TCC Library LibGuide Best Practices: Maintenance and Updating

Active guides: Make sure ALL links and embedded content still function. This includes:

• RSS/Twitter Feeds
• streaming media
• widgets
• links that are in Rich Text Boxes (these are not automatically checked via the Link Checker tool).

Course guides: contact the faculty member to see if your LibGuide still supports their course assignments and curriculum

• ask for suggested updates
• this is a good chance to request an updated syllabus
• let them know guide stats
•  if a course isn't currently being offered, consider changing the course guide to private or unpublished.

Screenshots and images

• has a database interface changed? 
• Is the logo current?
• Are you using images that comply with copyright?

Tutorials -  make sure they are still accurate.

Check and update any instructions - are the steps and screenshots still current?

Review statistics - how many visits did your guides get over the prior semester?

• Refresh content 
• Check for ADA Compliance
  • Test guide with an accessibility checker
  • Add Alt Text to Images
• Review statistics
  •  Can the content in low-use guides be deleted, added to another guide, made private, or made into an FAQ? 
• Review assets
  • Can any be combined or deleted?
• Test your guide on multiple device types (computer, tablet, smartphone)
  • make sure it functions well and important content is still on top. 

Review

1. At the beginning of each semester review the LibGuides you own.

2. Run the Link Checker for your guides and replace outdated URLs. Dashboard → Tools → Link Checker

3. Ensure that your content is up to date. Ask yourself:

a. Do we still own all of the books listed in your guide? Are there newer titles or editions?

b. Have we subscribed to new electronic resources that pertain to the subject of this guide? Have we unsubscribed from electronic resources that need to be removed from this guide?

c. Are there new RSS feeds, podcasts, videos, etc. that should be added?

d. Did any programs or courses for which you have guides undergo changes? If so, your guides need to be changed accordingly.

4. Ensure that all your guides are still needed. Ask yourself:

a. Is each of your guides for a class, program, or assignment that is still offered?

b. If an instructor requested the guide are they still using it?

5. If the LibGuide is no longer relevant, please delete it or make it private. LibGuides should not be left published for legacy purposes.