In some cases, LibGuides should be removed from public access, either temporarily or permanently. There are three actions that serve this end:

• unpublishing
• making private
• deleting

These actions, and advice concerning when each step is most appropriate, are described below the graphical logic flow

Unpublish

Unpublishing a LibGuide limits accessibility so that only you, the creator, can view it. The guide will still exist, but it cannot be shared with others. Consider unpublishing a LibGuide if it should not be viewed by others, but the information contained within might still be useful either now or in the future. For example, consider unpublishing a guide if it is undergoing major revisions and no one will need to access it in the meantime. This case might apply to LibGuides with outdated resources or information that are being updated. Also consider unpublishing if the content is not relevant now but could be later. Below are some scenarios in which it might be appropriate to unpublish each type of LibGuide:

• if a Topical & General Purpose Guide concerns an event that has not taken place in two years—but which might occur (or a similar event might occur) in the future;
• if a Course Guide is only relevant in the context of a course that has not been taught in two to four semesters;
• if the discipline/department to which a Research Guide pertains no longer exists but might be relevant to a current or future discipline/department.

Additionally, the information contained within some LibGuides may be more appropriate elsewhere. If the content concerns a particular division/department (or general library service) and does not require updates, for example, it might best serve as a university webpage. Similarly, if it describes a library feature or service that is available long-term, it could be more appropriate as an IU Libraries blog post. If a guide is at least two years old and has fewer than 200 views, it might warrant moving the content to a more findable location, such as a LibGuide with more views. In cases such as these (assuming that no one will need to access the guide in the meantime), consider unpublishing the guide while its information is transferred.

Private

Making a LibGuide private removes it from public listings but allows accessibility to those who have a link to it. It will not be findable through search engines or the IU Libraries guide lists, but access can still be shared through its link. Consider making a guide private if its content should not be accessible to the public but is still useful for some individuals. Such cases might include:

• when a LibGuide is undergoing major updates and students or faculty might want to access its resources during this process;
• when a Topical & General Purpose Guide concerns an event—such as a conference or outreach event—that has ended and for which the attendees might wish to access its content;
• when a Course Guide contains content that is only relevant in the context of the course, and it has not been offered in fewer than two semesters, as recent students may want to use it;
• when the discipline/department to which a Research Guide pertains is undergoing changes that warrant major updates and students wish to access the guide in the meantime.

As described in the section above, the content of some LibGuides might be moved to a different location, such as a university webpage or a more popular LibGuide. If, during this process, others want to utilize the guide, consider making it private.

Delete

Deleting a LibGuide removes it entirely so that it no longer exists. This step is the least likely to occur, as most guides contain information that is relevant now or in the future. However, some guides might warrant deletion. Consider deleting a LibGuide if you cannot think of a way that it might be useful to others. Candidates for deletion might include:

• a Topical & General Purpose Guide for an event from two years ago that is no longer relevant and unlikely to be repeated in any form;
• a Course Guide for a course that has not been taught in more than four semesters (even if the course is offered again, it might be substantially altered and will thus warrant an entirely new LibGuide);
• a Research Guide that pertains to a discipline, department, or research topic that the university no longer offers and is unlikely to offer in the future.

Additionally, if the content of a LibGuide exists in a more appropriate or findable location, consider deleting it.