Layout
The choice of layout for your LibGuide, along with the way that you structure the text within each box, will increase the accessibility of your LibGuide.
Side-Nav Layout
When creating a LibGuide, you will be prompted to select a layout. This LibGuide is using the Side-Nav layout, which we recommend as the most accessible option.
The Side-Nav layout organizes content into a side menu containing the names of your pages. Based on what we know of common web reading practices, the a left side menu is one of the first places a user will look when they arrive at your guide.
To set your guide to Side-Nav layout,
- Click on the image dropdown on the top left of your guide
- Select Guide Navigation Layout
- Use the dropdown menu to select "System Default - Side-Nav Layout"
- Click Save
Side Menu
When building your side menu, keep in mind the following guidelines for naming your pages:
- Side menu titles should be short (3 words max)
- Side menu titles should be descriptive and meaningful
- The number of side menu titles should be manageable (6-7 seems to be the consensus in the literature)
- The Home page should be called Home, rather than "Getting Started" or something similar
Box-Level Navigation
We recommend setting any guide containing more than two pages of content to show Box-level navigation for selected 
page. This will increase usability and draw attention to the content of your page without users needing to scroll.
To set your guide to box-level navigation
- Click on the image dropdown on the top left of your guide
- Select Guide Navigation Layout
- Tick the box beside Show box-level navigation for selected page
- Click Save
Headings
Use headings consistently throughout your guide. This helps all users navigate the text, especially those using a screen reader. Improper headings structure hinders usability and accessibility
Headings and labels should describe the topic or purpose. Use headings to introduce content in each section of your LibGuide.
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Use the heading formats available from the Format Drop-down menu when creating content for your guide. -
Keep in mind that the default heading level for the LibGuide page title is a Heading 1 (H1).
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Only one H1 level is allowed per page.
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The titles of each content box are assigned Heading 2 (H2).
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Therefore, when adding headings to your LibGuide, use Heading 3 (H3) and Heading 4 (H4) to structure your content.
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Heading 4 is a sub-heading of a Heading 3.
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Do not skip heading levels.
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Learn more about creating meaningful headings.
Lists
Lists are used to help organize and structure content, which helps with readability and comprehension. Lists help convey 
relationships, sequences, or groups of items efficiently.
Use the bullet or numbered list formatting buttons to create semantic lists. Avoid using special characters, dashes, or manually prefixing paragraphs with numbers to mimic a list of items.
Learn more about creating meaningful lists.