How I Built A Library Web Site For $16 In Chocolate with Laura Crossett

Technology, Social Networking Audio Conference Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:00 pm ET One Hour Member: $54.00 Non-Member: $74.00 What do you want in a library Web site? If your answer is "something that looks good, that is easy to implement and update, that comes with built-in '2.0' capabilities, and that just about anyone can learn to use—and that’s free!"—then this is the session for you. We will learn about WordPress, a popular free, open source blogging software that can also be used as a simple content management system (CMS) for a Web site. We’ll look at how several libraries are using WordPress, and you will get a behind-the-scenes tour of how the Park County Library System built their Web site with WordPress, from the initial installation through the final usability testing, for only 16USD. The Benefits Participants will know what the strengths and trade-offs are of using blogging software such as WordPress to build a library Web site, what kind of staff commitment is involved and what features are built in to WordPress that makes it useful for libraries who want a pleasing and functional and up-to-date Web site but don't have a lot of resources (staff and dollars) to build one. Who Should Participate Any library staff member interested in developing or adding content to a new, easy-to-update library Web site who wants to learn about how blogging software such as WordPress can help you do this. Some basic knowledge of HTML and CSS will eventually be needed to implement such a site but are not necessary for this presentation. Key Topics You Will Explore The advantages of using blogging software in library without a lot of resources as your Web site software Learn about the features built into WordPress such as commenting, topics, tagging, instant news feeds, and more Learn how to set up WordPress as a content management system (CMS) and how it worked in a small library in Wyoming Laura Crossett Laura Crossett is a virtual and actual Branch Manager in  the Park County Library System in Meeteetse, Wyoming, population 351, elevation 5797'! She runs her library system's Web site using WordPress, is the creator of the WordPress for Libraries community, and blogs about library issues at www.newrambler.net/lisdom Developed by Darlene Fichter’s Northern Lights Internet Solutions, Inc., in Saskatchewan