Getting Started

Jump to:
Default Data Fields
Customizable Data Fields
Adding Assets
Data Field Descriptions
Adding to the Default Subject List

Once logged into your LibGuides account, open the Content dropdown menu and select A-Z List Management [New]. On the lefthand side, under A-Z Resources, you will see options for managing Types & Assets and Lists.

Types & Assets

An asset Type is the broad category or theme used to classify the resources you will add to the A-Z resource list. Types could be links, databases, LibGuides, trainings, contact information, topics, etc.

Assets are the individual items that the Type defined - a single resource you are adding and organizing in the A-Z resource list - a single link, a single database, a single Guide, a single training, a contact, a topic, etc.

Select Types & Assets to open the Types & Assets page. You will see a gallery of already created A-Z Resource Types.

Look through the other Resource Types & Assets for examples of how they are structured, click the View Assets button to see a list of assets created in that category. Next to any asset, click the hamburger menu (three stacked dots) and select Quick View to preview the asset's details, which data fields were used and what information was provided.

Click + Add Asset Type box, to create a new asset type. Name it and add any relevant description. Once saved it will generate 8 default Data Fields.

Default Data Fields

• Name
• URL
• Description
• Thumbnail
• Alt Names
• Keywords (-searchable field)
• Subjects (-searchable field) (if there is not a Subject that will describe your asset, please see Adding to the Default Subjects List for how to add new Subjects)
• Public Display?

Data field customization: while starting with the default data fields is a great place to start, think about how your users will search for and filter the resource list. Utilizing fields like Keywords and Subjects can make assets more discoverable, consider what patrons are most likely to search for. Also, keep updating as you work through the process. There is no "final" version of the data fields list, there is a lot of flexibility to make updates and adjustments with new assets or with changing user needs.

Customizable Data Fields

(See the descriptions of each data field.)

 Click on the + Add new Data Fields to add additional data fields and/or click on the tiny trash can to delete unnecessary fields to better describe your Assets. When you add a data field, the options box will include these fields:

Default:

• Attributes
• Asset Landing Page Friendly URL

Text:

• Text
• Textarea
• Rich Text

Selection:

• Select List
• Checkbox
• Radio

Other:

• Number
• Link
• Date

For each Data Field choice you will be asked to select the data field type, to give the data fields a name, choose whether the field will be a required entry, whether it is visible to the public or just internally, an option to give Help Text/Instruction for the field (only visible internally), and options on character limit /Min or Max Value, date format and such, depending on the data field type.

Data Fields under the Selection options: Select List, Checkbox, and Radio, are the fields you can  use to filter searches in the Search bar.

Adding Assets

Once you have completed adding to the data field list, you can now add assets. Return to the A-Z Resource - Types & Assets page by clicking on Types & Assets in the lefthand menu.

Click + Add Assets to begin creating your asset list. Click + Add Assets for as many Assets is needed for your list. 

Data Field Descriptions

• Attributes include a choice between labeling your asset as a New Resource, a Trial Resource, or a Featured Resource with expiration date options for the first two, and an option to hide the Attribute from public view upon expiration.

• Asset Landing Page is a strategic way to enhance discoverability and patron engagement. The A-Z resource can become a centralized information hub when each asset has its own landing page, with a unique URL, because it allows you to link between assets in your list or assets from other A-Z resource lists. It creates a web of information rather than a flat list. Patrons can go down a path of relevant content. As you continue to add to the A-Z resources, you would be able to expand the web of interconnected links, turning them into a digital reflection of how the items relate to each other and to other NSLAPR resources.
• Text data field is a limited text field.
• Textarea is a multi-line text field.
• Rich Text is the typical Rich Text editor box that is used to create LibGuides Guides. This is the recommended text box to use. Multiple text boxes can be used to describe an Asset.
• Select List is one of the three Select options that will allow you to use in the search bar. Add up to 20 items to select from. 
• Checkbox is one of the three Select options that will allow you to use in the search bar. Add up to 20 items to select from. 
• Radio is one of the three Select options that will allow you to use in the search bar. Add up to 20 items to select from. 
• Number can only contain numbers.
• Link can only contain a single URL.
• Date allows you to select a date on a calendar for things like event or publishing dates.

Adding to the Default Subjects List

To add to the Default Subjects list, open the Content dropdown menu and select A-Z List Management [New]. On the left, click A-Z Databases to expand the menu options. Select Subjects for the Subjects list and click the + Add Subject button at the top right. Enter the subject Name, and choose what level the subject will be, either as a new top-level subject or a nested subject within an already added subject. For example, Education is one of the subjects; Elementary, Middle Grade, High School, Vocational, Professional Development, or Academic could be nested subjects to further define the Education subject.

You can also delete the default Subjects data field for your asset list by returning to the Types & Assets page and clicking the hamburger menu (three stacked dots) on your Asset Type box and select Manage Data Fields. Once the default Subjects data field is deleted, add a new Subjects field with your choice of (twenty maximum) Selection options. This way, you will be able to customize your subjects to your A-Z list if the Main Database Subject list does not meet your needs.