[Web4lib] CMS (Content Management System)

[Lynne Jones]

Re:

>>>>>As a follow up to this conversation:

>>>>>I'm a library science student at Michigan and was contemplating taking
>>>>>a course in CMS next semester. Do you find that this is an important
>>>>>skill to have as a librarian?

>>>>>Thanks for you advice,
>>>>>Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth

Gosh yes in my view - have now left libraries to go into web design as I
used web techniques so much for a variety of applications that I developed
the skills. Anyway after working in libraries for 20 years decided a change
would do me good (plus which I love working from home!) 

However it occurred to me early on that web applications rely heavily on
library skills and learning how to use a cms can almost be a shortcut as you
can focus on using that for your services without (at first) having to dig
too deep into html - although that does help. Setup routines have come on a
great deal and related forums can baby step you through the tricky bits.
Also it democratises the web and enables you to focus on organising
information - library work - first and foremost.

I recently won a web design contract, helped, I think by the fact that I was
a librarian (probably still am in my bones!). It's for a village community
and is requiring me to organise local history material etc etc.

Web apps help you control and organise info - whether it be books or
websites or staff manuals or staff timesheets. That's what librarians do.

There's probably nothing new here but just feel pretty passionately that
it's time that these skills became a basic requirement for library staff -
and aren't left to the "IT Librarian" alone (often regarded as some kind of
magician by other librarians!).

Sorry to go on - but in a nutshell - a big yes!

Good luck - hope you do it

Regards
Lynne

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Lynne Jones 
Sent: 30 October 2007 18:31
To: 'Raumin "Ray" Dehghan'; 'web4lib'; SYSLIB-L at listserv.buffalo.edu; 'DLS
tech'; LITA-L at ala.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] CMS (Content Management System)

Hi - I would recommend Cmsmadesimple - one of the five finalists in the 2007
Open CMS Awards

http://www.packtpub.com/article/2007-open-source-cms-award-finalists 

More info here: www.cmsmadesimple.org

Have tried a few but this beats them all in my view - simple (as it says!),
compliant and its extensibility and ease of use impresses me every time I
use it

Good support forum as well - very helpful

Regards
Lynne

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Raumin "Ray" Dehghan
Sent: 30 October 2007 16:54
To: web4lib; SYSLIB-L at listserv.buffalo.edu; DLS tech; LITA-L at ala.org
Subject: [Web4lib] CMS (Content Management System)

Colleagues,

   This is a cross posting.

   Our library is considering implementing a CMS (Content Management System)
for managing our website.  We may end up using it for more things -
intranet, calendars, email (??)  We are a small to medium size public
library serving a community of about 20-24,000 people.  One CMS we are
considering is Drupal.

  I would appreciate any input regarding experiences, advantages,
disadvantages, opinions, etc. regarding CMS, which is best, etc.

  I would also appreciate any recommendations for books, websites, etc. on
the topic.

Thanks very much.

Sincerely,
Raumin "Ray" Dehghan
West Chicago Public Library
West Chicago, Illinois
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