The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries’ Marketing and Communications Department serves as the primary resource for highlighting key strategic priorities and documenting current events within the Libraries, campus, and the broader community. Editorial content includes articles, blog posts, social media updates, student and staff features, initiative highlights, and marketing collateral. 

UTA Libraries adheres to university guidelines and the Associated Press Stylebook. For spelling, we use the online Merriam-Webster Dictionary, preferring American over British usage. For specific editorial questions, please contact Marketing Coordinator Andrew Branca at andrew.branca@uta.edu. 

For branding issues, consult the brand guidelines. To ensure accessibility, contact UTA Accessibility or visit the Electronic and Information Resources Accessibility Office. The complete UTA Editorial Guidelines, which cover rules for capitalization, abbreviations, and more, can be viewed online. These guidelines also address the usage of UT Arlington and UT System names. 

Interviewing, Writing, Editing, and Revision Process 

The writing and editing process involves several steps: 

1. Messaging: Clarify UTA Libraries’ objectives and strategic priorities using the UTA Libraries Strategic Plan and the M+C Game Plan. Executive Team members are also valuable resources for clarifying key messaging goals. Key messaging should inform the direction of all editorial pieces. 
    
2. Interview Process: Meet with the client (faculty, staff, student, or community member) to gather information, followed by reviewing interview notes or audio transcriptions. 
    
3. Writing Process: The first draft is edited using tools like Microsoft Word Spell Check, Grammarly, and Microsoft Copilot to check spelling, grammar, punctuation, tone, and readability. AI tools assist but do not replace human writers. Drafts of full articles or editorial material must be written first. Google Translate’s audio feature is then used for proofreading errors by listening and correcting them. A recheck in Grammarly is done, followed by AP Style Guard in MS Word. 
    
4. Style Guard Application: This ensures compliance with the AP Stylebook, which is essential for U.S. English grammar, punctuation, and rules for capitalization, abbreviations, spelling, and numerals. The first draft is then sent to the client for review. 
    
5. Revision Process: Upon completion of the initial draft and subsequent edits, the article or editorial material undergoes a review process by the client. The client provides feedback, which the writer incorporates into the document. This interactive process may involve several rounds of revisions. Following client approval, the document is reviewed by the Director of Marketing and Communications, who may suggest further revisions. Once the Director grants approval, the article is either posted online as part of the daily workflow or held/embargoed until a specified date. 
    
   For high-priority pieces, articles, or editorial materials that are part of a comprehensive marketing plan, the Director of Marketing and Communications, along with members of the UTA Libraries Executive Team, including the Dean of Libraries and Associate University Librarians, conducts an additional review. 
    
   After the Director and Executive Team provide their feedback, the writer incorporates the necessary revisions. This process may also require multiple rounds of edits before final approval is granted by the Director and the administrative staff. Once all approvals are obtained, the article or editorial material is either posted online or held/embargoed until the designated release date. 

 
Article Usage Outside of UTA Libraries 

Articles may be sent to UTA Marketing, Messaging, and Engagement for distribution through MavWire and Trail Blazer or to external media as directed by the Marketing and Communications Director or Marketing Coordinator.