[WEB4LIB] Staff intranet for small libraries

[Phillip B. Whitford]

We have a staff of about 30 and also have e-mail, shared network resources,
e-mail lists, bulletin boards, and word of mouth but we have found the staff
Intranet useful.

Ours is very simple.  The browsers on staff computers point to the Intranet
home page were there are links to the staff directory, personnel policy
manual, frequently used web addresses, and our catalog.  Many of our staff
use Outlook Web Access for their e-mail so there is a link to that as well.
There is also a link to a computer help page with basic computer tips,
contact information for the automation vendor, a list with descriptions of
the canned reports available on the automation system, and a web form staff
use to advise me of any computer problems.  We are in the process of adding
a supply requisition form.

While I'm the only one who updates the page anyone can suggest additions or
changes. We often have links to photos of staff events or library functions.
The photos and links to often used web sites were how I got the staff used
to using the pages.

Since the staff computers nearly always have a browser running the Intranet
is at the staff's fingertips all the time and so it gets used.  The web form
for computer help has been very well received since it's much easier and
quicker than logging onto their e-mail account.

I recommend you look at how your staff works and how much computer access
they have.  When we had only one PC per department the Intranet would not
have been very useful. But now the staff has ready access to PCs, and the
staff uses them for so much, it's become an important communications
channel. I also recommend you solicit input from your users and unless you
have lots of free time, start off simply with a few things you know the
staff will use. Once they start using it ask what else they want to see
there.

Phillip Whitford
Braswell Memorial Library
Rocky Mount, NC
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Braswell Library








-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of VanderHart, Robert
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 11:17 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Staff intranet for small libraries


My library's web technical group is beginning discussions on the feasibility
and design of a staff intranet.  We have a staff of less than 40 people.
There is a shared network drive that we use as a repository for library
meeting minutes, projects, etc.  We also have an email list that is used to
inform staff on a variety of issues.  And since we're a small staff,
sometimes word-of-mouth is just fine for some things.

Given that, I would be interested in hearing from others in similarly sized
libraries who have set up a staff intranet.  What makes your intranet an
enhancement over existing methods of information sharing among staff?  Did
you have to "sell" your staff ("We've already got email, what do we need an
intranet for?") on the idea of an intranet?

Any ideas, suggestions, or examples would be greatly appreciated.


Robert J. Vander Hart
Reference Librarian/Gov Docs Specialist
The Lamar Soutter Library
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue N
Worcester  MA  01655

Voice: (508) 856-3290
Fax: (508) 856-5899
Email: Robert.VanderHart at umassmed.edu
Web: http://library.umassmed.edu