Interview with a Librarian

Screen Capture of the Okefenokee Regional Library System Webpage

I interviewed the website manager  for the Okefenokee Regional Library System. She has been working for the system for almost two years and is in charge of the library system's online presence, including it's Facebook page. One of her jobs it to update and revise the webpage for the library system, click here to see webpage. She uses Joomla to manage the webpage. I interviewed her about her experience using CMS and what she would like to do to improve the experience. This interview was conducted on May 25, 2013 through Instant Messanger,

How and where did you hear about CMS?

Librarian:: For CMS in general: library school when I made my first website for class.
For the OKRLS (Okefenokee Regional Library System): When I found out the website was in Joomla.

What are your motivations to adopt CMS for its current use in the library?       

Librarian:: I had no choice. GPLS (Georgia Public Library System) set up the site for us in its current incarnation and chose Joomla because its free and cheap and we wouldn't have to pay extra. (This is also my answer for the motivation behind using her CMS)

 We're hoping to change to something easier like blogger or something easier to use.

Who else is able to change or improve upon the OKRLS webpage?
Librarian: The director and GPLS.

What previous CMS programs have you used before?
Librarian: Only Dreamweaver in school.

What are the important benefits or advantages of the CMS program you are using now over the old system or another CMS you've used in the past?

Librarian:: The only benefit is it cost us nothing.

What are the problems you've had with Joomla?

Librarian:: Flexibility in trying to make the page look like I want with drop down menus, rollover images, and transitioning image links. The lack of WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) properties- the page is created only when you view it and not while you make it, which is irritating.

What features would you look for in a replacement program?'

Librarian:: The ability to make and see changes made immediately. Easy integration of video and social media links. Less cumbersome image storage-- both adding and deleting files.

Is there any other social media you wish you could add to the website/ resources at the library?

Librarian:: We'd love to add the Facebook image and like button, but it won't work (with Joomla). Also video content, whether on YouTube or uploaded.

What do you think is the future of CMS technologies?

Librarian: No idea. I'm not really much of a techie. I don't follow technology trends.

We also spoke about ways to use Facebook to boost the library system's appeal. Currently the library is using the Facebook page to advertise events, such as Summer Reading Club, and to inspire patrons to read through famous quotes and images. The library is still trying to figure out the best way to use both technologies.

Small piece of the OKRLS Facebook Page.

Conclusion:

While speaking with the librarian, I realized she had many of the same issues with Joomla as I had had in the creation of my website for this class. She feels that she is still learning how to use the program, but is stuck with the format given to her by GPLS. She feels like she can not use the technology to its fullest potential because she cannot put all of her social media and webpage information together in a meaningful way. It is a similar issue that I had when trying to assemble a website with Joomla.

For me this interview reinforced the reality of the job responsibilities in the public library market. Many libraries are cutting back on librarian positions and other librarians are inheriting their responsibilities. Many librarians have found themselves performing tasks that they have never had to and that are outside their fields. The librarian works as in a different field as well as maintaining the library system's online presence which is outside her normal duties. As more libraries are forced to cut back on staff due to their budgets, it has reinforced my belief that librarians need to learn as much about every part of the field as possible in case they are called to work on something beyond their normal duties.