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Libguide Libguide: Media, widgets, & iframes

iFrames & widgets - What's the difference?

In the LibGuides context:

  • an iFrame is a webpage embedded inside another webpage.
  • a widget is a small application installed in a Guide, that has limited functionality; can be interacted with by the user; (usually) is a shortcut to a larger application.

We avoid using iFrames as they have accessibility complications: our preference is to either include a widget, or link to the resource, website, or tool.


A note on widgets:

While it is possible to embed a widget using Rich Text/HTML, Springshare recommends embedding a widget by using  Add/Reorder > Add > Media/Widget. This is because you can reuse an existing asset (widget), or create a widget as an asset for reuse elsewhere.

Note: Google and Google Scholar are exceptions and have their own Content Type. See the box below on Embedding a Google Search Widget.

When using the Media/Widget content type, you have two options:

  • Use the Reuse Existing Widget tab to search for an existing asset;
  • Create a new widget from scratch.

Embedding a Primo Search widget

There are a couple ways you can add a Primo Search widget to your LibGuide:

1. (Re)using the box from the Asset Source of Truth

If you are happy to have a box containing only to the Primo Search widget, you can reuse the Primo Search box from the AA Asset Source of Truth:

  1. At the point where you wish to insert the box, click on Add Box
  2. Click on Reuse Existing Box
  3. Select the AA Asset Source of Truth LibGuide and choose the box for Primo Search under the heading of OTHER ASSETS
  4. Give the box a name and nominate its position
  5. [IMPORTANT:] Leave the box for Copy unticked. You should be reusing this Primo Search box ONLY if you wish to map to the original, so you don't want to create a copy.
  6. Click on Save.

2. (Re)using the Media/Widget

If you want to have the Primo Search widget in a box, but add some of your own content into the box, you can add the Primo Search widget.

  1. At the point where you wish to add in your Primo widget, click on Add/Reorder and click on Media/Widget
  2. Click on Reuse Existing Widget
  3. Search for ... primo search widget -2018
  4. Choose the one numbered #35547416 and with the following details: 
  5. Owner: Susanna Chittick; Created: Sep 7, 2017; Location: MGT382 Research Skills Guide
  6. Click on it to select it and click on Save.

The embedded widget should look like this:

Embedding a BrowZine widget

You can add a BrowZine widget to a LibGuides box by starting at the Third Iron BrowZine Widget Tool ...

  1. Choose 100 % (responsive) as the Output Size
  2. Change the title bar colour to DA370F and leave the title bar font colour as FFFFFF.
  3. Change the title to: Explore Charles Sturt Library's journals with BrowZine.
  4. Edit the description so that it reads something like: Find, read and monitor key journals in [insert discipline here] in the BrowZine Scholarly Journal Room! BrowZine is a browsable newsstand of the Library’s top journals.
  5. Select Charles Sturt University as the institution. This activates the Select Relevant Subject drop-down
  6. Choose your discipline area (you can drill down to specific areas).
  7. Leave the "How many journals do you want to feature" as 10.
  8. Click on Update Widget and copy the Widget Output Code ....

Then, in your LibGuide:

  1. Add a Media/Widget content type to your box
  2. Give the asset a title
  3. Copy and paste the Widget Output Code into the Embed Code box. (Be sure to copy the entire code from <div> to </div>.)
  4. Nominate the widget's position (in the box) and click on Save.

Embedding a Google Search widget

Google Search widgets are NOT included in the Assets repository. So you have no option to reuse.

To embed a Google Search widget, you need to use the Google Search option from the Add/Reorder dropdown:

  1. Choose Add/Reorder > Add > Google Search
  2. Choose the type of search box you want: Web, Books, Scholar, or Patent
  3. [Optional:] Give the box a default query.

The Google Search widget looks like this:

Google Web Search

Suggested iFrame code

If you have to insert an iFrame in your LibGuide as a last resort, you can use this code:

<iframe src="Website URL" title="Descriptive title" scrolling="auto" height="480px" width="100%"></iframe>

You might need to change the height (in pixels) according to how your iFrame appears.

Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.Acknowledgement of Country

Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.