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NU SpringShare Playbook

Best practices and guidance for creating and maintaining LibApps and guides at NU. Created by cross-functional resource centers.

Best Practices

SpringShare Training Best Practices for Images - Resources for images and icons with examples use cases.

It is important to be mindful of the images we add to our LibGuides.

Image rights - Be sure we have a right to use the image. Use only CC licensed or public domain images on your guide.

  • Images should be sourced and cited appropriately. NEVER use copyrighted images without permission.
  • Only include images that are relevant and add value. 
  • Free Image Resources
    • UnSplash.com:  Free high-resolution images published under the Creative Commons Zero license.
    • Pixaby.com:  Searchable high-res images, vector and art illustrations published under CCO license.
    • MorgueFile.com:  Free high-res stock images.
    • Canva Templates - Examples of LibCal templates, flyers, and other promotional materials easily created with a free Canva account.
    • Please read the licenses and TOS of each of the sites suggested above before downloading images.

Image size - The image should be resized before adding to SpringShare. 

  • The Image Manager should be used for adding images. Once you have found a useable image, use the Image Manager to add Alt Text, archive and allow for easy re-use.

Image type - Save your images as PNG (Portable Network Graphic). PNGs are a good general web format and will maintain any transparency in the image. Alternately use JPG or GIF. 

Image Naming Conventions

  • Descriptive and unique names (use "Library_Banner_Main" instead of "Banner_Home")
  • No spaces or special characters - these cause link problems, use a dash or underscore instead
  • Add a date on the end to ensure you don't overwrite an existing image. All images are stored in the same location, regardless of if you place it in a folder for organization, so save yourself some drama by being unique in your file naming. 

Accessibility

 

Springshare Help > Images - Don't copy and paste OR drag and drop images!

The NU Library strives to make its website accessible in accordance with WCAG 2.0, ADA, Section 508, and other accessibility standards and guidelines. The following should be instituted when creating a LibGuide page:

Image Property Guidelines

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Alternative Text

The use of alternative text should be used to describe images, including photographs, charts or screen captures. Use of alternative text ensures that image content is accessible to people with various disabilities since text descriptions are recognized by screen readers. Alternative texts can be added in the ALT Text field or alt= “ “. Additionally, alternative text allows images to be indexed by search engines.

Examples of alternative text fields in LibGuides:

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Refer to the following checklist from WebAIM regarding Text Alternatives:

Success Criteria

WebAIM’s Recommendations

Non-text Content
  1. All images, form image buttons, and image map hot spots have appropriate, equivalent alternative text.
  2. Images that do not convey content, are decorative, or contain content that is already conveyed in text are given null alt text (alt="") or implemented as CSS backgrounds. All linked images have descriptive alternative text.
  3. Equivalent alternatives to complex images are provided in context or on a separate linked page.
  4. Form buttons have a descriptive value.
  5. Form inputs have associated text labels.
  6. Embedded multimedia is identified via accessible text.
  7. Frames and iframes are appropriately titled.

Source: https://webaim.org/standards/wcag/checklist

 

For more information about alternative text: https://webaim.org/techniques/alttext/

Additional resources for ensuring accessibility across LibGuides pages: https://training.springshare.com/libguides/best-practices-accessibility/resources#s-lg-box-20614195

 

LIbA11y Guide to making your content accessible: https://www.liba11y.org/

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