[WEB4LIB] should the library webmaster be a librarian?

[Darryl Friesen]

> I am interested in opinions regarding
> library webmaster/web manager positions.  Do you feel these individuals
> ought to be MLS holders or might it be appropriate to have a
> paraprofessional in this kind of position?

Realizing that most of the people on this list are probably Librarians, I
have a feeling my answer will not be the popular one, but no I don't think
the webmaster should be a Librarian, unless that person also has a _very_
strong computer background (no, I don't mean the 'hobbyist'; I'm thinking
certificate, or even better, a degree).

I guess maybe it depends on you definition of 'webmaster'.  I view webmaster
as the guy who has root access, builds, tests and installs the software
(Apache, SHISH-E, Perl, Java etc etc), writes the CGI programs, and is in
charge of the technical aspects of the web site (database integration etc).
I think much of that is best left to someone with a computer background.

> Also, as webmaster/web
> managers, are you contributing a whole lot of content/authoring to your
> library's pages, are are your professional staff providing
> content/authoring, with you handling more technical aspects of creating
> your sites?

I see the Librarian's strength as content.  Sure, I've picked up a bit of
"Library knowledge" having worked in the library for a number of years, but
that's not what I went to school for.

In a perfect situation (which I realize doesn't exist) the Librarians and
other library staff would be responsible for the _content_, and the
programmers/webmasters would be responsible for talking that content and
presenting it.  Some sort of joint working group, that also included other
professionals for tasks such as graphic art & design etc, could be
responsible for working on the overall design features (navigation,
consistency etc).


- Darryl

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  Darryl Friesen, B.Sc.                        Darryl.Friesen at usask.ca
  Programmer/Analyst                            http://gollum.usask.ca/
  Consulting & Development, Computing Services
  University of Saskatchewan                   "The Truth Is Out There"
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