gistfile1.txt

html = '''
<table class='dashboard'>
  <tr>
    <td>
       <div class="books_list"></div>
       <div class = courses_list"></div>
    </td>
    <td>
        <div class = "documnets_list"></div>
    </td>
   </tr>
</table>
'''

sel = $('.content') 
if $('.dashboard').html() is null
  sel.html html
else
  sel.append html