Why remake the wheel? Almost everything in LibGuides is reusable - every asset, every widget, every box, and even every page. Sharing assets can save time and effort, thanks to mapping and copying.
| Mapping | Have you created a box of contact links that you want to put on several pages or guides? Use a mapped box; then if you need to make changes you only have to adjust the original box. All boxes mapped to it will be updated. |
| Copying | Copy a box if you want to change content for each page it's used on. However, any updates will need to be made individually to each box. |
Every Asset created in LibGuides is available for reuse. What is an Asset? Anything that has been added, such as Links, Documents, or Media.
Adding a Link to a box? Every Link (those added to a box with the Link choice, not those embedded in Rich Text) are reusable. Choose Reuse Existing Link and search for the first few letters. Having a Master list of Links can make it easier to update each mapped use of that Link (check out the "Sharing Master Boxes, Assets, and Pages" Box next).
When should you not share a Link? If you're linking to a Database. Instead, use the Add a Database feature, which pulls directly from the A-Z Database list. Only LibGuide Admin accounts can change the links mapped to the A-Z Database list, but you are free to change or hide the description.
Do you have a number of boxes or other content that you like to resuse on multiple guides? Creating a Master list of these items can save time and effort. An easy way to do this is to create an unpublished guide where you store these items (with an easy to remember name, like "(Your Name's) Master Content". Then when you want to add an already created box you know exactly where to go to find it.