Happy Memorial Day, everybody.  Too bad I was stuck inside studying all day.  Remember the troops that keep us safe.  I think I'm caught up with all of my assignments which means I might get to go play disc golf tomorrow.  Yay!  Do any of you guys play disc golf?  I'm addicted to it.  I'm looking forward to my Cataloging and Classification course in a couple of weeks.  Wish me luck!
Peace,
Lee

MLIS 7505 Assignment 3, Option 1 

For our MLIS 7505 Module III assignment we were to identify an library that uses a Content Management System and interview the librarian in charge of creating and managing the website.  I interviewed Mr. James Keehbler, director of the Piscataway Library in New Jersey (http://www.piscatawaylibrary.org/).  Mr. Keehbler received his MLS from Rutgers in January 1997 and his MPA from Rutgers in 2006.

How and where did you hear about CMS?

Answer:  I had used Joomla at my previous library, New Providence Memorial Library.  Afterwards, I started seeing more programs about libraries using Drupal, particularly through our then regional library cooperative, Infolink, which is now part of LibraryLink NJ.

What were your motivations to adopt CMS for its current use (library website or any other purpose)?

Answer:  We wanted to use a content management system to remove the former roadblock of relying on our webmaster to update the website. She would use Microsoft FrontPage, and of course not every staff member knew how to use that program or even had it installed.  With budget cuts, we were forced to eliminate that position, so we needed our other staff to be able to update the website on their own.

What were your decision making criteria?  What is the name of the CMS you are using now?

Answer:  We use Drupal.  I had used Joomla previously but wasn't impressed with the capability of Joomla at the time to provide the level of user permissions that Drupal allowed.  With a large organization, we believed we needed to be able to limit the capabilities of some users, while allowing others greater capabilities.  We also liked choosing a CMS with a good user community of library users. We really wanted an open source choice for the cost benefit, and the ability to grow in the future.  Finally, the online community forum at drupal.org answered so many questions.

What are the important benefits or advantages of CMS you are using now over the old system or another CMS system you've used in the past?

Answer:

a. We don't need software to update website.

b. More people can update website, though this can also be a disadvantage as not all people do as good 

    of a job.

c. We can update website on remote devices like ipads, android phones, and iphones.  Including 

    Drupad application.

d. No knowledge of HTML required and easy FTP of images to website. With CKeditor, looks like 

     Microsoft Word interface.

e. Thousands of moduless to allow increasing capabilities of website.  We started simple and grew into 

    the website.

f. While we haven't done this yet, we can do a multisite installation to have separate websites for   library, friends and foundation using the same Drupal install.

How was the learning curve?

Answer:  The learning curve was more difficult than with Joomla in my experience.  Then again it was more difficult since we had it hosted on our state library's server, who do not offer any support for Drupal and they do not offer a nice utility like CPanel.  When using Drupal for the New Jersey Library Association, using CPanel is so much easier.  The learning curve is hard for people who aren't used to the database background and only think of HTML files.  As an old Notepad HTML coder, it was difficult when learning Joomla to get my mind wrapped around that. 

Additional comments from Mr. Keehbler:

Some staff did miss the ability to just drop off their changes with someone else to deal with, but now we have 19 different staff who update the website. Of course, as previously mentioned, we do have a challenge making all 19 enter information in an attractive manner.  Patrons enjoy it, they can sign up for programs on line, they follow the RSS feed, etc.  Drupal integrates nicely with Flickr, too.  We use as much free stuff as possible, Flickr, Meebo, and we use Google Voice to provide text reference.

 Oh, one other challenge when we changed to Drupal was to get everybody to realize they didn't need to bring everything from the old website.  Huge long pages of hyperlinks, text nobody was going to read.  It was a struggle.  Also, CMSs are great because you don't need to recreate an item each time you want it to appear on a website, and in fact with a module like Views, you can use the same information and display it in a unlimited amount of ways on the website.  For example, when we enter a program for the meeting room, we can have a main entry show up on the department page, a brief entry show up on the upcoming events block on the front page, an entry on the library calendar and an entry on the meeting room calendar all from that one form being filled out. 

My reflections:

Mr. Keehbler is obviously very knowledgeable about CMSs and especially Drupal.  It is interesting that he started out with Joomla and then migrated to Drupal.  He is not the first librarian I have heard to do that.  He pretty much echoed everything I learned from our readings.  It is amazing to me that 19 different people update their website.  A few years ago that would be unheard of.   There would have been just one person in charge of making all the updates.  That is definitely one of the many advantages of using a CMS.  Mr. Keehbler replied to my e-mail the same day that I wrote him and he answered all of the questions with thoughtful answers.  I sent him a Thank You card for his generous help with this assignment.

Success!!!  My group project classmates and I met in the Wimba Classroom yesterday evening and everything went well.  That's a first for this Maymester.  It was pretty cool and I look forward to using it again.  Check it out:  http://vcrp.wimba.com/   It was really quite simple.  I didn't even have to buy a headphone/mic device.  I could just use the built in mic and speakers on my laptop.  That was nice since money is tight these days.  For any of my fellow classmates that are scared of Wimba, don't be.  It's really easy to use.  Be sure to run the Wimba Wizard first to get your computer all set for your session.

There's hope for me yet.

Y'all have a great day!

Lee

MLIS 7505

Lee M. Hartle

Module II

Assignment 2

My Joomla Adventure

Our assignment for Module II was to set up a free Joomla demo website.  My adventure began at http://demo.joomla.org.  Little did I know at the time that Joomla was not going to cooperate.  Before this assignment I had never heard of a Content Management System (CMS), which is what Joomla is, along with other programs like WordPress and Drupal.  In a few words, a CMS is (supposedly) a quick and easy way to create and manage a website.  Many libraries across the country are successfully using them for just that purpose.  After watching the video tutorial, my assignment was to create at least two menus, two articles, and to link my articles to my menu items. 

First, I must make the comment that the video tutorial, in my opinion, was lacking in professionalism.  I believe if they put had put a little more effort in to it I may not have had so many problems.  A series of slides might have been more effective instead of trying to keep up with what the video instructor was saying and doing.  My first attempt at creating a site went relatively smoothly.  I played around with different templates, styles, and layouts.  Joomla only comes with a few templates, but you can download more from www.cloudaccess.net, including many available for purchase.  I even uploaded a few photographs of myself.  When I was done I had a simple, four page website.  However, I did not have the menus configured correctly.  When I went back to fix this Joomla would not cooperate.  So, I thought I would just start over.  I used the Clear Content button, but Joomla would not clear the content.  I got a “Front End Error, #404 Component Not Found, An Error Has Occurred” message.  So, again , I started over by using a different log in name and e-mail address, but Joomla would not cooperate.  I got e-mails from Joomla saying that an error had occurred and to try again.  So, I tried another five or six times with no success.  So, I decided to watch the video demo once again and I was finally successful in creating my website.  The only problem that I could not fix was the ordering of the menu items.  I followed directions to the letter, but still could not get them to change order.

Even though I had a lot of problems, I do feel that Joomla does make the creation of websites much easier than having to learn HTML codes.  The drop-down menus were easy to use to create articles and menus.  For me, learning Joomla had a steep learning curve.  However, I am certain that the more I read about and play around with Joomla I will be able to create websites much more easily that the pre-CMS, HTML way.  I would recommend them to any library debating whether to use them or not.

Hello world -

Yesterday was fantastic.  I worked (and played) and the Winterville (GA) Marigold Festival.  Awesome weather, awesome music, awesome vendors, and awesome people.  Was there a total of 12 hours.  Bloodkin, amazing Athens band, closed the night off with a band.  They rocked Winterville to its core.  My older brother was in town so it was great hanging out with him.  Mark your calendars for a Saturday in Mid-may 2013.  It only gets better.

Spent all day posting for my MLIS 7505 class.  Learned about Content Management Systems this week.  Interesting stuff.  It's pretty much a free and easy way to create websites.  I'm working on one now using Joomla.  Don't have it just right, but will work on it tomorrow.  Nothing has been coming easy this semester.  Every single thing we have studied has been brand new.  Can't wait for this Maymester to be over so I'll have the time to play with all the news tools I will have.

Peace,
Lee

Hi folks -

Yesterday and today I spent some time learning a new CMS (Content Management System) called Joomla.  I think I at least figured it out enough to satisfy my class assignment.  All these names are crazy: blog, wiki, twitter, joomla.  I used to think the word Google was weird, but now it's a part of my every day life.  I'm still struggling with this class, but I know in the long run I will be glad I took it.  The times they are a-changin' and I better try and keep up with them if I want to get a job after graduation.  My dream, still, is to become a Certified Archivist and work at the new Russell Special Collections Building at the University of Georgia in Athens.  If you're ever in town, do yourself a favor and drop by there.  They have permanent and rotating exhibits.  The place is brand new and it's beautiful.  Just another reason why I love this town and will never leave.

Y'all have a great weekend!

Lee

Part V:  Finding a Wiki for a Library (MLIS 7505)

The Winterville Public Library (WPL), located in the small rural town of Winterville, GA just six miles outside Athens, GA, opened its doors in 1974.  It is a branch of the Athens Regional Library System.  The actual structure of the library is in an old, historic, clapboard house formerly used as a residence at the Clarke county work farm (aka the “poor farm”).  The building was moved to its present site in the heart of Winterville in 1974 where it was restored and turned into a library.  Though the in-house collection is small (approximately 10,000), patrons have access to over nine million books and other materials through the PINES system, a program of the Georgia Public Library Service. 

The library serves the city of Winterville whose population is approximately 1,200 people.  It is only open 19 hours per week and employs one library technician and one librarian’s aid.  The other 21 hours a week the librarian works at the main Athens Public Library branch.  The WPL uses no social software.  The librarian gets out pertinent information through e-mails and a webpage, as well as face to face with patrons using the library.  She has a bulletin board with a calendar full of special events mainly aimed at children.

The City contributes $18,000 toward salaries and the Athens-Clarke County Library System pays any additional budgetary needs.  The City also contributed the building, as well as the utilities, and any repairs and maintenance as needed.  The nonprofit Friend’s of the Winterville Library (FOWL), which runs the volunteer-staffed Front Porch Bookstore, located across the street from the WPL in the former City Hall, donates every dollar they receive from used book sales and membership fees to the library.  FOWL has donated funds for a DVD drop-box, new books, DVD’s and furniture, as well as funds for arts, crafts, and office supplies.  FOWL also gives children free books if they participate in the Summer Reading Program.

Obviously, the WPL is a relatively low-tech rural library.  The hope is to some day to have the funding to be open full-time and to construct additional space so it can increase the size of its collection.  Creating a wiki for the library may help increase circulation and attendance at special events, which could someday help to attain those funds.  This wiki would need to be free and simple to use, therefore a Free and Open Source wiki is recommended.  It should have page history, so that every time a page is edited the old version of the document is kept.  It should have a What You See Is What You Get editor so that technically challenged users can contribute.  No domain name or corporate branding is needed.  Comparing wikis using WikiMatrix matched up with twenty-five wikis.  Even though it might be a bit more than the WPL currently needs, MediaWiki seems, from what I can determine, to be the best wiki out there.  It is a free software package originally written for Wikipedia.  Though it takes server space and a deeper level of expertise, it seems to work extremely well once you figure out how to use it.  I am certain our librarian has the knowledge and computer experience to properly manage this wiki.

Trudging along to get this weeks Module completed on time.  I've finished all of my class discussion posts.  The discussions are really great.  My classmates are really smart and interesting and make some really good points.  Now to do my Wiki and the final class discussion.  I am learning a lot in this class.  I'm not really in to the whole social media thing, but if I'm going to be an effective librarian (or, hopefully, certified archivist) I know I must use them.  I'm pretty computer literate, but just haven't jumped on the Facebook/Twitter/etc., yet.  Well, that was before this class.  I think I'll enjoy them more when the semester is over and I have more time to really play around with them and see what all they can do.  I know we have to pack a lot into this Maymester, but so far it's been really stressful for me.  This is only my second semester so I still feel like I'm getting used to the workload.  Last semester, which was my first semester, I took Foundations and Management.  I really enjoyed both of them and somehow I got two A's.  Yay!  Now, it sounds like I'm bragging.  I'm not.  Just happy.
Y'all have a great day!
Lee

Day 2 -

I am quickly finding out that I have a lot to learn about Web 2.0.  I understand the concept clearly, how it has evolved, and why a library would use these new social applications.  However, I am having a hard time understanding the class instructions and therefore am having trouble with the assignments.  To top it off, Blazeview just went offline right when I was starting to work on my posts for the day.  Oh well, I'll just have to suck it up and keep at it.  I'm sure by the end of the Maymester it will all make sense.  If any of my classmates are having a hard time please connect with me.  Misery loves company.  I posted my first post last night and I feel really good about it.  Just 9 more posts, plus the class post, plus a few other things and this "module" will be done ;-)  Does anyone know if we are to continue with our blog/twitter postings throughout the Maymester or just during this first week?  It's raining here in Winterville which makes it a great day to study.  I plan on getting a lot done today.  I hope you all do too.

Peace,
Lee

Day 1

Greetings -

My name is Lee Hartle and this is my first ever blog post.  I am a graduate student at Valdosta State University in the Masters of Library and Information Science program.  This blog was created for my MLIS 7505 Applied Technologies in Library Practice class.  This class is a Maymester class which is only 22 days.

This class will be very challenging as I do not have any experience with blogs, RSS, Twitter, or Wiki's.  I do know, however, that by the end of the semester I will have learned a lot of important information about Library 2.0 which will make me more employable as libraries are using more and more technologies every day.

I hope some day to become a Certified Archivist and work at the Russell Special Collections Building at the University of Georgia.  Wish me luck.

Stay tuned,

Lee Hartle