Interviews and Reflections: Use of Library Content Management

Overview 
This report would share with the audience the insights of two information specialists from two academic libraries:  Paul Blackmon is Head Librarian at Trenholm State Technical College Library and Natasha Jenkins is Information Literacy Librarian at the Levi Watkins Learning Center, which is the university library.  Both librarians have experiences using library system that allows library content management, but are not listed as a content management system according to cms matrix.  Both libraries have employed these technologies that are web-based content management:  Mr. Blackmon uses Portfolio powered by SirsiDynix and Ms. Jenkins uses LibGuides CMS powered by Springshare.  In my opinion, a noticeable trend now in library technologies is to take a traditional library system and add functions that will serve multiple purposes, such as an integrated library system that  allow librarians to  manage the  content of the library.

Interview Transcript   
Interview Conducted with Paul Blackmon, Head Librarian

Question:  How and where did you hear about CMS?
Respond:  I was at ALA in Anaheim, CA in 2012 and went to the SirsiDynix booth.  They were demonstrating an add on called Portfolio.  I was looking for a system that would allow me to publish archival materials to the web via our catalog.  I wanted to be able to manage what we put on the webpage so I could make changes, additions, deletions, and etc.  Portfolio was what I was looking for to do this.

Question:  What were your and the library motivations to adopt CMS for your current use (library website or any other purpose)?

Respond:  Our motivation was to increase use of the archives by publishing digitize resources to

the web.  This allows scholars and researchers to access the archives 24/7 to find the materials needed for their research.

Question:  What were your decision making criteria for choosing your current CMS?

Respond:  The deciding factor for us was the ease of use, editing features, and customization of materials through limits we can place on the archival materials.

Question:  Name the system your library is using as a content management system?

Respond:  Portfolio by Sirsi Dynix.

Question:  What are the important benefits or advantages for using CMS in your library compare to using an old system in the past?

Response:  This is our first time investing in a CMS.  The advantage is that we control the content.  We can publish to the web via our central catalog.  Once materials are digitized and published we can preserve the original materials.  Access to the archival collection is 24/7.

Question:  How was the learning curve?  Did you encounter any challenges in the initial stages.  And how is it with the college community (faculty, staff, students, and public users).  

Respond:  The learning curve was minimal.  We had a single representative work with us from start to finish.

Question:  Would you share with me an incident using the CMS system that future librarians can learn from.

Respond:  At our library access to materials is our driving force.  We wanted to preserve the original source materials without hindering access to said materials.  We realized that history, particular civil rights history, was growing in interests and researchers wanted to research our archives.  The decision to digitize then publish the materials in our archives was a lofty one and a necessary one.  It was important to us to be able to control what went on the web to allow access to these materials. 

Interview Transcript

  

Interview Conducted with Natasha Jenkins- Information Literacy Librarian

Question:  How and where did you hear about CMS?

Respond:  In 2012 this library was introduced to CMS by a newly hired librarian in a program called QEP.  LibGuides CMS which is powered by Springshare was presented to Ms. Jenkins and the library administration team.

Question:  What were your motivations to adopt this system.

Respond:  The library was looking for ways to streamline access to subject specific information and to make it user-friendly at the same time.  This system is used to assist teaching information literacy sessions.  For example, the information is organized in the LibGuides to point users to tools to help with specific assignment or information needs.

Question:  What was the decision making criteria?

Respond:  The approval of the library administration team.

Question:  What are the benefits or advantages of CMS in your library and how was it with an old system?

Respond:  The benefits in using a CMS are shared content is available and you are able to see the content that is changed reflected on other pages.  In the past the librarians had to be granted permission from the library’s web master in order to update information on the library website.  Consequently, now the librarians can login and update information on the library website.
Question:  Can you share with me about the learning curves?

Respond:  With CMS most of the librarians caught on quickly while a few were slow.  The average bloggers caught on quickly and adapted to the life cycle of LibGuides CMS.  An interactive CMS powered by Springshare. Tutorials are provided on the Springshare site along with webinars for users.  Questions are on the site to help with the learning process.  You can Google LibGuides for more information.

Question:  Can this system be used for a library entire website?

Respond:  Yes, it can be used for the content on the entire website.

Question:  Out of curiosity, can you share with me how the usage statistics are used with LibGuides?

Respond:  LibGuides and LibAnswers are able to collect and compile statistics on a daily, monthly, and/or annual basis.  The librarians are able to analyze this data and come to conclusions and make various decisions about trends concerning technology based on this data. 

The interviews took place over a three-day period with Mr. Blackmon and Ms. Jenkins.  They both

were cooperative in fitting me in their busy schedule because the due date of the assignment was a quick turn-around.  Even in the midst of Ms. Jenkins busy day, she shared with me information on other library emerging technologies such as the use of social media, Google Drive, RSS feeds, etc. and how they are used in the Levi Watkins Learning Center.  I thanked Mr. Paul Blackmon and Ms. Natasha Jenkins for their assistance in answering my questions.