Developing Committees to Create a Web Content Management System

This case study examines the use of committees to develop a Web content management system in an academic library. It explains the process undertaken at the University of Oklahoma Libraries (libraries.ou.edu) to move from an HTML to a database-driven Web site and the issues involved with using committees to steer such projects. Creating a framework where librarians use locally developed content management tools to control Web site content while the systems office retains control of the presentation of content is also discussed. Another aspect of the case study includes the evolution of Web committees in the organization, the development of a system-wide philosophy, and the gradual acceptance of the Web site as a service that demands continual attention. The authors hope readers will benefit from these experiences when implementing similar projects.

Indiana University Bloomington Libraries Presents Organization to the Users and Power to the People

This chapter describes how the Indiana University Bloomington Libraries created a database-driven Web system that enables librarians and staff to publish content to the libraries’ public Web site that maintains a consistent design and places the content into a logical and consistent structure. The system comprises the libraries’ public Web site interface, the content manager (CM) administrative interface, and an intranet. The new Web system was designed to replace a decentralized process that was previously followed to maintain a large Web site of 8,000-plus static HTML pages. The new system made it possible for their large decentralized organization to present a unified and well-designed public interface on the Web. The authors describe the technical and conceptual development of the content management aspect of the system with the hope of increasing understanding of content management systems.

Database-Driven Web Pages Using Only JavaScript

The California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) Library decided, as part of an overall redesign of its Web site, to use database-driven Web pages (also called dynamic Web pages). When the servers for the database-driven pages were closed down due to a virus attack, a new method of creating the database-driven pages without the necessity of special servers was devised. The resultant Web pages use JavaScript arrays to simulate a database and embedded JavaScript programs to provide the dynamic content for the pages.

Website Maintenance Workflow at a Medium-Sized University Library

Currently, more than half the library staff at a medium-size academic library maintain large numbers of static Web pages using Web editors, rather than content management tools. While not optimal in the technical sense, this process does maximize the individual’s creative contributions to the site. Because of this flexibility, feedback about this process has been primarily positive at an individual level. However, a growing number of challenges in the areas of content, priorities, technical skills, and workflow exceptions have cast doubt on this system’s long-term prospects. This chapter discusses the balance between individual and group needs, and the true cost of a purely technical solution to the problem of Web maintenance.

Methods and Tools for Managing Library Web Content

In this chapter key methods and tools available to libraries to manage their Web content are identified. Content in libraries may include subject guides, calendars, hours of operation, and digital collections. Solutions to manage a wide variety of materials and contributors range from enterprise-wide content management systems to homegrown, open source solutions.

ScratchPad

This chapter describes the planning, development, and implementation of a quality management tool for an academic library Web site. It explains the impetus for the project, presents the rationale for developing the tool, and describes the system components. The tool balances the needs of Web contributors with the assurance of a professional presentation of the organization’s Web site by offering a systematic workflow from development to production, with appropriate quality oversight prior to public posting. Implementation outcomes are discussed, especially as they relate to staff engagement and solving post-production issues. The authors hope that technical staff in other libraries will consider implementing a quality control tool to manage their Web sites.

PHP and PostgreSQL Web Content Management Systems at Western Michigan University Libraries

This chapter introduces the design of a PHP and PostgreSQL content management system as a means of maintaining content within a library’s online subject guide collection. It argues that the content management system, combined with distributed authorship, provides an efficient and effective way to manage a large growing body of content that changes frequently. Furthermore, the author hopes that understanding the process of building a content management system, from system and data requirements to database design and content display, will not only inform librarians and technical staff of good system design practices, but also assist in the understanding of a content-driven library Web site.

Library Web Content Management

Rising demands by library users for customizable Web function and by library Web administrators for streamlined workflows call for better solutions to Web content management. This chapter begins by defining the content and scope of Web content management. Needs and benefits are addressed based on aspects of library Web content management from content creation, updating, delivery, and re-use to the “look and feel,” workflow management, quality control, as well as cost-benefits. Issues and challenges associated with implementing a Web content solution including strategic planning, selection of Web content management tools, impact of meta-searching, and the organizational culture of the library are discussed.

Tactical Electric Power Digital Library

This case study traces the development of the Tactical Electric Power Digital Library (TEPDL), a special-purpose document repository and information resource Web site. Discussion focuses on content management considerations and their effect on project planning, Web site design, and Web site maintenance. Also described are the process and challenges associated with implementing the content management and content delivery features of TEPDL. The case study is intended to highlight the importance of addressing content management issues early in the digital library Web site planning and design process, and to illustrate how a content management needs analysis can be translated into the selection and development of specific content management tools and processes.

Developing a Distributed Web Publishing System at CSU Sacramento Library

This chapter introduces the steps that were undertaken at the California State University, Sacramento Library in moving from a centrally managed, static, and disjointed Web site to a efficient, collaboratively managed, database-driven Web site utilizing an easy-to-use customized Web content management system developed by the library. It discusses the decisions and actions taken during the various stages throughout the design and implementation of this Web publishing system. The authors introduce the methods and some of the Web-based technologies used, and present the issues encountered and how they were addressed during the development and implementation of the locally created Web publishing system.