Libraries & Institutional Content Management Systems

Pamela F. Cabe MLIS, AHIPCoy C. Carpenter LibraryWake Forest University School of Medicine

About Us

Institution comprised of Wake Forest

University Baptist Medical Centerand

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

About Us

Carpenter Library serves both entities.

The Department of Public Relations and Marketing, a department of the Medical Center, is responsible for the institution’s web site and departmental web space.

What is CMS?

Content Management System “A content management system (CMS)

supports the creation, management, distribution, publishing, and discovery of corporate information.” (Robertson, 2003, KM Column).

A way of standardizing web development at our institution.

Why CMS?

Volume of the WWW Institutional Branding-sites would be clearly

defined as being part of the institution.

Why CMS?

Sites began to contain errors, missing images, broken links, old information, incorrect health information, etc.

Why was the library concerned?

Because we’re librarians!

Why was the library concerned?

Bulk of library budget supports electronic resources.

These resources are physically housed on the library’s web site.

Look, feel, organization and usability of the library’s web site is key to properly showcase these electronic resources.

CMS Software and Template Design

Microsoft Content Management Server A template was designed by an

independent web consultant.

WFUBMC Template

Medical School Disagreement

Medical School disagreed with template. The Medical School Web Task Force

was formed.

School of Medicine Template Modifications

Issues Encountered with Conversion to CMS

Site Conversion Process Web Editing Non-Compatible Technology Ineffective Site Search Engine Push of Live Content to Server

Site Conversion Process Issues

LONG process

Solutions Let independent firm do conversion and

then correct any errors. Do the conversion myself.

Site Conversion Process Issues

Pluses Learned CMS software. Streamlined our existing site. Redesigned the site look and organization.

Minuses LONG arduous process Editing tools formerly used to manage site

do not work with CMS software.

Web Editing Issues

Microsoft Word OR

Microsoft CMS WYSIWYG

Web Editing Issues

Solution CMS WYSIWYG

Pluses Changes are made inside the Browser, preview of

pages is easy.

Minuses WYSIWYG is clunky, difficult to use and produces

almost indecipherable HTML. Technologies utilized in the former site don’t

function in the CMS.

Microsoft CMS Web Editing Software

Microsoft CMS Web Editing Software

Non-Compatible Technology

Javascript DHTML Shockwave Files XML Forms

Forms

Forms

Forms and other Non-Compatible Technology

Solutions Negotiated web space outside the CMS

template. The Medical School is investigating a forms

program to handle forms, Sharepoint.OrForms will remain outside CMS on different server.

Removed Javascript and DHTML

Forms and other Non-Compatible Technology

Pluses Site simplification Removed additional movement

Minuses Removed ability to use advanced

scripting/technology

Site Search Issues

Patrons had ability to search library site. The CMS template included a site

search box which instead of searching the library’s site would search the entire institutional site.

Site Search Issues

Solutions We were able to create a faux template page which

was outside the CMS to house our Google! Site search.

Pluses Google site search works great.

Minuses The ineffective search box is still on our site in the

template. Patrons can only access the library search from our

site.

Site Search “Wireless Access”

New Site Search Using Google!

New Site Search Using Google!

Push of Content to the Server

Old site was transferred via FTP. New site changes are sent daily during a

global update.

Push of Content to Server

Solutions Database content (electronic journal

information, electronic textbook listings) will be saved live on the server.

Obtained permission to request a manual push when necessary.

Push of Content to Server

Pluses Databases changes are instantaneous. Databases owners can edit and see results

immediately.

Minuses No live control over web content.

Final Result?

Carpenter Library’s New Site

Strategies for Negotiating with Institutional Web Masters

Get to know institutional web masters. Identify issues you may encounter

Technology Issues Editing Issues Updating Issues

Use your statistics. Instead of flashy technology, use flashy

graphics to fill the void.

Serenity Now!

Accept the things you cannot change!