New feature: Book cover images

Just before Xmas Springshare did a deal with Syndetics to provide LibGuides subscribers with free access to book cover images.

When you add a Books from the Catalog content box you now get the option to add cover images from Amazon or Syndetics (click on the blue S).

Syndetics images are available in 3 different image sizes - 94px, 187px and 400px - so you have the option to use a larger image if you want to highlight a "Book of the week/month".

Unlike Amazon, Syndetics can use 13 digit ISBNs which is also great.

The beauty of the Syndetics images is that they use the URL that you have entered to take the user straight to our Tropicat entry if they click on the cover image.

The downside is that the quality of some of the small images in Syndetics is poor - I have raised this as an issue with Springshare and will let you know if they have a solution.

If you select an Amazon or a Syndetics image and it doesn't exist in their database you will get a blank space in your guide where the image would normally appear. If you have used Syndetics and the user clicks on that blank space they still go to the Tropicat entry. If you use Amazon they will be taken to the Amazon website.