This guide provides basic information about the editorial style standards for our website. We've also included common words and their preferred capitalizations/spellings.

Standards for common terms:

• email not e-mail
• database not research database or online database
• homepage, not home page
• internet not Internet
• pop up (verb)
• pop-up (adjective)
  • Example:
    See the pop-up window for more ideas.
• sign in/sign out (verbs)
  • Example:
    Sign in with your username.
• URL not url
• web not Web
• web-based
• webpage not web page
• website not web site.

Standards for common library terms:

• catalog not catalogue or Primo
• eBook not e-book
• eJournal not e-journal
• guide not LibGuide. Only refer to LibGuides as the product not the content
• Interlibrary Loan not ILL
• page not tab

Standards for library names and units:

• Furman University Libraries not Furman University Library
• Digital Collections Center not Digicenter
• James B. Duke Library
• The Robert J. Maxwell Media Center and Library or the Maxwell Music Library
• Sanders Science Library
• Special Collections and Archives

1. Use "we" instead of "Furman University Libraries". Personal pronouns are more scannable and reduce text size. Users will know "we" refers to the Libraries.
   • Bad: "The Furman Univeristy Libraries provide patrons with access to headphones."
   • Good: "We have headphones for you to check out." 
2. Don't put opening or closing hours in your text. Hours are subject to change, and your text will quickly become out-dated. Link to the Hours page instead.
3. Avoid screen shots of our website whenever possible. Pages change, and screen shots become out-dated. Whenever possible, provide direct links rather then showing pictures of links.
4. Don't use directions/positions when referring to a specific box/column.Your guide is responsive and columns will shift around for different screen sizes. 
   • Bad: "See the box on the right for additional information."
   • Good: "Additional information can be found in the Resources box."
5. Avoid library jargon as much as possible.  Favor action words.
6. Keep page titles short. They should clearly reflect the content in that pages.