Aurora Platform Update: April 2026
Release 2026.4
When new capabilities are developed for Aurora, all clients receive updates automatically. This release focuses on visual presentation and user experience, introducing four improvements across layout control, display consistency, and citation usability.
More Flexible Homepage Banner Heights
The homepage banner previously occupied a fixed 50% of the viewport, a proportion that suited some institutional contexts and constrained others. Administrators can now select from three banner height configurations: Tall (50% of viewport, the existing default), Medium (40% of viewport), or Compact (a reduced natural height). Existing Aurora sites are unaffected by default, with the Tall setting remaining in place unless changed.
A Compact Logo Option for the Site Header
Site logos are a meaningful expression of institutional identity, but a full-size logo in a header can consume considerable vertical space before visitors reach navigational or content elements. Administrators can now enable a compact logo that constrains the logo to a reduced maximum height. The result is a header that maintains institutional presence while prioritizing access to content.
Grid View Improvements for Collections and Search Results
Browsing a digital collection should feel consistent. Grid tiles now render at a uniform size regardless of image dimensions or orientation, creating a more visually cohesive experience when scanning through a collection. The grid and list view toggle buttons have also been updated to accurately reflect the active layout, making navigation between the two views more intuitive.
Citation Button Labels Now Reflect the Selected Format
For Aurora sites with citations enabled, the copy-to-clipboard button now displays the specific citation format being copied rather than a generic action label. This change improves usability and reflects Aurora's ongoing commitment to WCAG compliance.
Citations are included by default on new Aurora installations. Existing institutions interested in enabling citation functionality can contact the Discovery Garden support team for configuration assistance.
Ready to See What Islandora Can Do for Your Organization?
Whether you're managing a single repository or supporting a multi-institution consortium, Islandora offers the flexibility, scalability, and support you need. Contact Discovery Garden to schedule a demo, start a project discovery session, or learn more about how we can help you build a future-proof digital repository.
Hunter Dukes, "A Book of Stone: Adam Wirsing's Marmora (1776)." The Public Domain Review. March 10, 2021. Source: SLUB Dresden. Public Domain.
