Libraries & Categories in ShowOff: Step-by-Step Training Guide

Overview

Libraries and categories help you organise and display rich, dynamic content across your event website. This can include news, blogs, products, videos, brochures, and sponsor listings.

They make your site easier to manage, searchable for visitors, and automatically updated with the latest content.

What Are Libraries?

A library is a structured collection of related content items, similar to a digital filing cabinet. Each library holds a specific type of content, such as press releases, videos, or sponsors.

Libraries can be reused across multiple pages and layouts. For example:

• Display a News library on your homepage and again on a “Latest Updates” page

• Show Products or Videos filtered by category

• Reuse the same content with different layouts across your site

Types of Libraries

ASP websites include several built-in library templates. Each template comes with fields designed for a specific purpose, but libraries can be renamed or repurposed if needed.

💡 News libraries are the most flexible option and support multiple display layouts such as grid, carousel, overlay, spotlight, and masonry.

Creating a New Library

To create a new library:

1. Go to Libraries in your ShowOff back office

2. Click Add New Library

3. Enter a name, for example Press Releases

4. Choose the most appropriate Library Type, such as News

5. Click Save

The selected library type determines which fields and display options are available. Once saved, your new library will be empty and ready to populate.

Adding Content

You can add content to a library in two ways.

Option 1: Add Manually

1. Open your library

2. Click Add New Entry

3. Complete the required fields, such as title, description, and image

4. Click Save

5. Repeat for each additional item

Option 2: Bulk Import

1. Prepare your data in a CSV file using the standard ShowOff import format

2. Open your library and select Import Entries

3. Upload your CSV file

4. Match each column to the correct library field

5. Submit to import all entries at once

Making Libraries Available to Exhibitors

Libraries can also be enabled within the Exhibitor Zone, allowing exhibitors to upload their own content such as press releases, products, or videos.

To enable this:

1. Go to Zone > Groups

2. Select the exhibitor group you want to edit

3. Under Libraries, toggle on the libraries you want exhibitors to access

4. Save your changes

Using Categories

Categories help organise and filter library content, making it easier for visitors to browse.

Examples include:

• Filtering News by Exhibitor Announcements, Industry Updates, or Press Coverage

• Filtering Products by type or exhibitor

To manage categories:

1. Go to Modules > Categories, or open categories from within a specific library

2. Create or edit categories as required

3. Assign categories to your library entries

On your website, you can add category filters or menus to allow visitors to refine results.

Displaying Libraries on Your Site

To display a library on a page:

1. Go to Modules > Pages, or open the page you want to edit

2. Add a Library Widget or select a Library Display Block

3. Choose the library to display, such as News or Products

4. Select a layout style, for example grid, carousel, or spotlight

5. Save and publish the page

💡 The same library can be used on multiple pages with different layouts.

Example Use Cases

• Press Releases: News-type library displayed on a Media Centre page

• Downloads: Brochure-type library linked from the Exhibitor Zone

• Sponsors: Sponsor-type library filtered by sponsorship level

• Videos: Video-type library embedded in a gallery page

Best Practice Tips

• Use clear and consistent library names, such as News 2026 or Product Showcase

• Add images and concise summaries for better visual presentation

• Assign categories early to avoid rework later

• Reuse existing libraries before creating new ones

• Refresh content regularly to keep pages dynamic