Slider

Description

A slider is a movable part of a document that follows a defined path between two or more anchor points, typically moving in a straight line without flipping to reveal a new face. Sliders create dynamic interactions by revealing hidden content, changing visible combinations, or providing tactile engagement with the document.

The key characteristic is that the slider element moves along a constrained path (usually a slot or track) while maintaining the same face visible to the viewer, unlike pages that turn or volvelles that rotate around a central point.

Examples

Common examples include:

Pull-tab Books: Children’s books where pulling a tab causes elements to move across the page, such as animals moving through a scene or vehicles traveling along a road
Reveal Mechanisms: Sliders that move to expose hidden text or images beneath a covering layer, often used for answers to questions or surprise elements
Transformation Scenes: Moving elements that change a scene, such as day-to-night transitions or before-and-after comparisons
Educational Diagrams: Anatomical or mechanical illustrations where sliding parts demonstrate movement, stages of development, or internal structures
Interactive Calendars: Movable date indicators that slide along a track to mark the current day or month

Instances

Victorian Mechanical Book

19th-century novelty book with sliding panels revealing hidden images

Anatomy Slider Book

Medical education book with sliding layers showing different body systems

Pull-the-Tab Storybook

Modern children's book where pulling tabs animates characters and objects

Data

IIIF Manifest

"{\n  \"@context\": \"http://iiif.io/api/presentation/3/context.json\",\n  \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/manifest\",\n  \"type\": \"Manifest\",\n  \"label\": { \"en\": [ \"Slider Example - Pull-tab Reveal\" ] },\n  \"items\": [\n    {\n      \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/canvas/page\",\n      \"type\": \"Canvas\",\n      \"label\": { \"en\": [ \"Interactive Page with Slider\" ] },\n      \"height\": 3000,\n      \"width\": 2000,\n      \"items\": [\n        {\n          \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/page/base/1\",\n          \"type\": \"AnnotationPage\",\n          \"items\": [\n            {\n              \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/annotation/background\",\n              \"type\": \"Annotation\",\n              \"motivation\": \"painting\",\n              \"body\": {\n                \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/background.jpg\",\n                \"type\": \"Image\",\n                \"format\": \"image/jpeg\",\n                \"height\": 3000,\n                \"width\": 2000\n              },\n              \"target\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/canvas/page\"\n            },\n            {\n              \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/annotation/slider-position-1\",\n              \"type\": \"Annotation\",\n              \"motivation\": \"painting\",\n              \"label\": { \"en\": [ \"Slider - Start Position\" ] },\n              \"body\": {\n                \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/slider-element.png\",\n                \"type\": \"Image\",\n                \"format\": \"image/png\",\n                \"height\": 600,\n                \"width\": 800\n              },\n              \"target\": {\n                \"type\": \"SpecificResource\",\n                \"source\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/canvas/page\",\n                \"selector\": {\n                  \"type\": \"FragmentSelector\",\n                  \"value\": \"xywh=100,1200,800,600\"\n                }\n              }\n            },\n            {\n              \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/annotation/slider-position-2\",\n              \"type\": \"Annotation\",\n              \"motivation\": \"painting\",\n              \"label\": { \"en\": [ \"Slider - Mid Position\" ] },\n              \"body\": {\n                \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/slider-element.png\",\n                \"type\": \"Image\",\n                \"format\": \"image/png\",\n                \"height\": 600,\n                \"width\": 800\n              },\n              \"target\": {\n                \"type\": \"SpecificResource\",\n                \"source\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/canvas/page\",\n                \"selector\": {\n                  \"type\": \"FragmentSelector\",\n                  \"value\": \"xywh=600,1200,800,600\"\n                }\n              }\n            },\n            {\n              \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/annotation/slider-position-3\",\n              \"type\": \"Annotation\",\n              \"motivation\": \"painting\",\n              \"label\": { \"en\": [ \"Slider - End Position\" ] },\n              \"body\": {\n                \"id\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/slider-element.png\",\n                \"type\": \"Image\",\n                \"format\": \"image/png\",\n                \"height\": 600,\n                \"width\": 800\n              },\n              \"target\": {\n                \"type\": \"SpecificResource\",\n                \"source\": \"https://example.org/iiif/slider/canvas/page\",\n                \"selector\": {\n                  \"type\": \"FragmentSelector\",\n                  \"value\": \"xywh=1100,1200,800,600\"\n                }\n              }\n            }\n          ]\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n"

Additional Context

Sliders represent a sophisticated form of mechanical book design that emerged prominently in the 19th century with the rise of movable books for children and educational purposes. Unlike other movable elements, sliders create the illusion of continuous motion along a defined trajectory.

Implementation Notes

When implementing digital representations of sliders:

Path Definition: Clearly define the start and end points of the slider’s path
Intermediate States: Capture multiple positions along the slider’s path to show the full range of motion
Animation: Consider smooth animation between states when the user interacts with the slider
Track Visualization: Optionally show the path or slot that constrains the slider’s movement
Pull Tab: Represent the visible tab or handle that would be used to move the slider
Hidden Content: Show what is revealed or concealed as the slider moves
Directional Constraints: Ensure the slider only moves along its intended axis
Snap Points: Define specific positions where the slider naturally rests

Viewing Considerations

Different slider types require different viewing approaches:

Linear Reveals: Show before, during, and after states of content being revealed
Scene Changes: Provide smooth transitions between different scene configurations
Cyclical Sliders: For sliders that can move in a continuous loop, enable repeated motion
Multiple Sliders: When a page has several independent sliders, allow them to be manipulated separately
Linked Movement: Some sliders cause multiple elements to move simultaneously; represent these relationships

Technical Considerations

The IIIF Presentation API can represent sliders using:

Multiple annotations with fragment selectors showing different positions
Choice bodies or supplementing annotations for different slider states
Temporal annotations to sequence the movement
Web Annotations to describe the slider mechanism, path constraints, and interaction points

Preservation Considerations

When digitizing slider materials:

Document the full range of motion from start to end
Capture any damage or wear to the slider mechanism
Photograph the reverse side to show the mechanical structure
Record whether the slider still moves freely or is stuck
Note any missing parts or broken tabs
Document the intended direction and extent of movement