# Information Architecture Guidelines

To keep our content clear, easy to navigate, and reusable across different purposes, we organize knowledge using the following structure in <span class="s1">**NEXT**</span>.

## **🗂️ Shelf: A Curated, Dynamic Collection of Books**

- A <span class="s1">**Shelf**</span> is a <span class="s1">**collection of related Books**</span>, grouped for a specific audience or purpose.
- Use Shelves to <span class="s1">**curate**</span> content, not to structure it deeply.
- A <span class="s1">**Book can appear in multiple Shelves**</span>, so avoid putting all unrelated topics into one Book.
- **Examples of Shelves:**
    
    
    - *<span class="s1">Newcomer Essentials</span>* – Books selected to help someone new understand our church.
    - *<span class="s1">Leadership Toolkit</span>* – Books for ministry leaders and those who serve.
    - *<span class="s1">Administration</span>* – Books related to governance, finances, operations, and facilities.

## **📘 Book: A Standalone Topic**

- A <span class="s1">**Book**</span> is centered around <span class="s1">**one main topic**</span> or area of knowledge.
- Keep Books focused so they can be reused across different Shelves.
- Don’t try to cover everything in one Book—break things out by topic.
- **Examples of Books:**
    
    
    - *Church Governance* – contains bylaws, decision-making structure, leadership policies.
    - *Church Operations* – includes facility usage, scheduling, and logistics.
    - *Children’s Ministry Guide* – curriculum, volunteer roles, and safety guidelines.
    - *Bible Study on John* – weekly lessons and group discussion materials.

## **📂 Chapter: A Group of Similar Pages**

- A <span class="s1">**Chapter**</span> organizes <span class="s1">**related Pages**</span> that follow the same format, structure, or theme.
- Chapters are optional but useful when multiple Pages need to be grouped together logically.
- **Examples of Chapters:**
    
    
    - In *Church Operations*: <span class="s1">Facility Management</span> – includes facility usage rules, booking forms, cleaning checklists.
    - In *Church Governance*: <span class="s1">Core Documents</span> – includes bylaws, mission statement, and church constitution.
    - In *Bible Study on John*: <span class="s1">Weekly Lessons</span> – each page is one week’s content.

## **📄 Page: One Concept or Resource**

- <span class="s1">A </span>**Page**<span class="s1"> should focus on </span>**one clear topic, policy, lesson, or resource**<span class="s1">.</span>
- Pages are where actual content lives. Keep them concise and easy to scan.
- If a Page gets too long or covers multiple topics, consider splitting it.
- **Examples of Pages:**
    
    
    - *Facility Usage Guidelines*
    - *Church Bylaws*
    - *Lesson 1: The Word Became Flesh*
    - *Role: Worship Leader*