[WEB4LIB] Academic Library Web Pages

[Dan Lester]

At 01:40 PM 3/1/99 -0800, Tami-Jo Eckley wrote:
>I would like to know if any of you are completely in charge of what goes
>into your Home Page/Site or if you need to be consistent with the rest of
>the college's site.  Do you need to answer to the college's Webmaster or
>does the library have autonomy.  I would really appreciate input on this
>since we are currently undergoing major change at Manhattanville
>College, and at present, we must answer to the College Webmaster.

Yes, I am, for http://library.boisestate.edu, although I of course listen 
to our Publications Committee, the Library Director's suggestions, 
colleagues, etc.  I imagine that if there were ever a major battle I'd win, 
but I'd much rather never have any battles.

Having worked in seven state university libraries in seven states, I'd say 
that it all depends on "campus political climate and style".   Boise State 
is generally a decentralized and loosely coordinated place, occasionally to 
a fault.  I've worked in other places, however, where you had to raise your 
hand to go to the bathroom, had better NEVER take a 16 minute break, and so 
forth.  So, you adapt to the local style or move on.

If what you're dealing with is the politics of power and control, you're 
unlikely to win, and might be better off not fighting.  The Boise State 
level of web control is shown at 
http://www.boisestate.edu/oit/bsustyle/official.html   As you can see, it 
is minimal, and all things that follow basics of good design and common 
sense.

Good luck

dan



--
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, ID 83716-7115 USA 208-383-0165
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