From the Director's DeskOctober 19, 2007 |
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Telling the Library Story - Part IIIWhat tools do you use to tell your library’s story? Do you use the local newspaper? Does the library produce a newsletter? Do you have a website? In this part of the “Telling the Library Story,” I will concentrate on the library website. Why should a library have a website? The library website makes the library and its services available 24/7. Although many libraries have websites, all too often a library does not have a website or if they have one it is so outdated it is useless to the patron. In today’s world of the Internet and online services, a library can no longer say they have no need for a library website. Most small to medium sized libraries find it difficult to set up and maintain a webpage. They may have limited IT help, volunteers who set up a page and then move on, leaving no one to update it, or staff with no expertise in any of the web-authoring tools available. Plinkit, the Public Library Interface Kit, is the answer for these libraries. Plinkit is an LSTA grant program coordinated by the Rolling Prairie Library System and the Alliance Library System. In its first year, the grant provided training to 45 libraries in four library systems: RPLS, ALS, LCLS, and ShLS. In its second year of funding, libraries in DLS, LTLS, MLS, and PALS will have the opportunity to join the Plinkit project. While Plinkit was designed for public libraries, all types of libraries can use it, and revised versions of the templates are in development for school and special libraries. Why should my library be interested in Plinkit? There are several reasons. It was developed in Oregon with LSTA funding to help small libraries have a web presence. Plinkit is based on open source software, Plone, so the software is free and continues to be developed. · It is easy to do. If you can cut and paste in a word processor or text editor, you can put up a Plinkit website. · With the template design, the framework of the site is already done. The library can select colors, banner design, and add pictures or different fonts. There are preset pages for resources, kids, staff, and the Board of Trustees. Links have been created for Ask?Away and FirstSearch. There is a calendar feature and much more. All the library staff needs to do is add their library’s unique content and any special links they want their patrons to know about. What do the Plinkit sites look like? Here is a list of the RPLS Plinkit Libraries for you to explore. Barclay Public Library District; Blue Mound Memorial Library District; Chatham Area Public Library District; Greenup Township Public Library; Illiopolis/Niantic Public Library District; Mason City Public Library District; Moweaqua Public Library District; Mt. Zion Public Library District; Neoga Public Library District; Stonington Township Library; Storm Memorial Public Library District; Taylorville Public Library; Weldon Public Library District How do you get your library involved in Plinkit? Email Bev Obert (bevo@rpls.ws) or Doris McKay (dorism@rpls.ws); or phone 217-429-2586 and ask for Bev or Doris. Rolling Prairie Library System |
