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LibGuides Tips & Tricks for Librarians: Reusing Links

This guide is intended for the authors of libguides, not the general users of the content.

Avoid creating new links if you can reuse an existing link

If a link already exists in the UCF libguides system with a description matching what you want, don't create a new link for the resource.

  • "Reuse Existing Link" allows you to begin typing the first few letters of the title of the resource and then simply select from a list. You don't have to re-enter all of the descriptive details about the resource because everything will be replicated from the existing link.
  • The URL for the link can be updated in one spot and it will automatically update in each of the guides that reused that link.
  • We can gather usage statistics for a resource from one location instead of having to add together the usage from every instance where that resource is listed in the UCF LibGuides.
  • Creating a new link for an existing resource clutters the list. For example, if many authors create individual links to Academic Search Premier, then someone who wants to reuse an existing link for Academic Search Premier has to wade through a long list trying to find which description to reuse.

If the description of a resource in an existing link doesn't provide the details about features you would like to highlight about the resource:

  • Ask if the description can be modified to include additional information, either in the short description that displays below the link, or in the longer description that is included behind the (i) information button.
  • Consider listing the resource separately in its own Links & List box type with the additional description preceding the already existing link.
  • Create a new link with a different description. If you do so, consider including an additional word or two at the end of the title identifying why that link is different -- for example, special links for LexisNexis Academic have been added for LexisNexis Academic - Company Dossier and LexisNexis Academic - Reviews.
  • One of the features under consideration for a future release of the product would allow for text to be included between linked items in a list. If that happens, then you could indent a line of text below the description of a link to provide additional description of the link.

/aecontent vs /content

If you cut and paste a link to another page or box within your own guide or within our system, change any links from

/aecontent.php?pid=

to

/content.php?pid=

Otherwise, other libguides authors who have logged in to their own accounts won't be able to follow those links because they don't have editing privileges on your guide.