Terry L. Huttenlock, Jeff W. Beaird and Ronald W. Fordham
To present a case study of a library systems department's experience in choosing and implementing a content management system. By sharing this process others may be helped as they…
Abstract
Purpose
To present a case study of a library systems department's experience in choosing and implementing a content management system. By sharing this process others may be helped as they look for solutions and face similar situations.
Design/methodology/approach
A reflective case study was chosen because it allowed the systems department to tell their story by reflecting on what had happened over the past two years. This is also a self study as the writers of the story are also the ones who experienced the events.
Findings
The article provides a detailed account of choosing and implementing a CMS including insight into decisions, issues, and processes. The broad issues of usability, that usability is individualistic and task oriented, is portrayed. The hard work and difficulties involved in this type of project, especially for a small library, is recognized.
Research limitations/implications
As this is one department's experiences, it is not necessarily generalizable to other CMS projects or other libraries.
Practical implications
Sharing experiences can give insight and guidelines to those who are contemplating similar decisions/implementations.
Originality/value
This paper offers practical advice and reflective insights based on an actual experience.
Details
Keywords
To introduce the special theme issue on “Content management systems”.
Abstract
Purpose
To introduce the special theme issue on “Content management systems”.
Design/methodology/approach
Each of the articles in the theme are described in brief.
Findings
The articles cover a range of topics from implementation to interoperability, object‐oriented database management systems, and research about meeting user needs.
Originality/value
Libraries have only just begun to realize that their web presence is potentially as rich and complex as their online catalogs, and that it needs an equal amount of management to keep it under control.