Boxes
Create containers for your content items.
Quick Reference for Boxes
- Standard Boxes — Use standard boxes to add rich text, database assets, link assets, book from the catalog assets, etc.
- Tabbed Boxes — Do not use tabbed boxes. Tabs can hide content from users, so we don't use them.
- Gallery Boxes — Use gallery boxes if you want to highlight images, book from the catalog assets, etc. in a set of scrolling slides.
- Profile Boxes — Use profile boxes to add your contact information and photo to your guide.
General guidelines:
- Set boxes to 'Floating Box' — This removes the box title, borders, and padding, which is the look we're going for.
- Profile Boxes are the exception — It is ok to display your job title in your profile box.
- Avoid overcrowding — Break content into multiple boxes if it gets too dense.
- Use meaningful order — Arrange boxes by importance and/or user task flow.
Getting There
- Log into LibGuides https://usfca.libapps.com/libguides/.
- Select Content > Guides and click the Edit icon for the guide you want to update.
- Click the page you want to edit in your guide's navigation menu.
- Click the Add Box link at the bottom of the column where you want the box to go.
Standard Boxes
Use standard boxes for text content, lists of assets (databases, links, books from the catalog, etc.), multimedia embeds, or widgets.
Best Practices for Standard Boxes
- Always set to 'Floating Box' — This removes the box title, borders, and padding, which matches the website's design.
- Use only in the main content column — Avoid placing standard boxes in the side column. The only rare exceptions are small utility elements like buttons or related links.
- Limit the number of items per box — Aim for 5–7 related items per box to avoid overwhelming users with too many choices.
- Order logically — Arrange boxes to follow a natural reading or learning flow. Within boxes, use appropriate heading levels for structure and accessibility.
Springshare Documentation
Tabbed Boxes
Do not use tabbed boxes. Tabbed boxes conceal information behind clickable tabs, which users may overlook or never click.
Gallery Boxes
Use gallery boxes for visual presentations such as images or books from the catalog assets.
Best Practices for Gallery Boxes
- Always set to 'Floating Box' — This removes the box title, borders, and padding, which matches the website's design.
- Use only in the main content column — Gallery boxes are not suitable for the narrower side column.
- Limit the number of slides — Aim for 1–2 items per slide, and 5–7 slides total to prevent clutter and visual fatigue.
- Ensure consistent image sizing and resolution — Keep image heights uniform for a clean and aligned appearance.
- Include captions and alt text when supported — These improve context, usability, and accessibility, especially for users with screen readers.
Gallery Settings
- Automatically play — Turn Off. Allow users to control navigation. Auto-play can be distracting and inaccessible.
- Transition type — Choose Slide. This aligns with the look and feel of USFCA.EDU.
- Show dots — Turn On. This aligns with the look and feel of USFCA.EDU.
Springshare Documentation
Profile Boxes
Use profile boxes to display contact information for the most relevant librarian or department (e.g. subject specialist, reference department, etc.).
Best Practices for Profile Boxes
- Use 'Floating Box' optionally — If you want to display a title above your profile, leave 'Floating Box' unchecked and enter your job title or liaison area as the box title (e.g. Reference Librarian, Business Liaison, etc.). This title will appear at the top of the box.
- Use only in the side column — Profile boxes are designed for the narrower side column and should not be placed in the main content area.