The Ohio State University

We’ve launched this blog to keep OSU Libraries faculty and staff updated on three projects currently underway: a redesign of the Libraries’ web site; the creation of a staff intranet, designed to replace the existing staff internet page; and the addition of a content management system to make putting content on both the internet and intranet sites fast and easy.

We hope that all libraries staff—University Libraries, Health Sciences, Law, and the regional campus libraries—will follow developments on this blog, and comment on the work that is being done.

By the way–”We” includes Beth Black, Jason Thompson, Russell Schelby and Jim Muir from the Web Implementation Team, and Pam McClung and Larry Allen from Communications.

Why these projects, and why now?

The Libraries Web Site: Last year, the Web Committee was split into two separate committees—the Web Implementation Committee and the Web Visioning Committee. The Visioning Committee was charged with developing a long-range plan for the Libraries’ presence on the Internet.

One of several priorities that emerged was a redesign of the Libraries’ web site. The committee agreed the redesign should coincide with the re-opening of the Thompson Library, assuming there would be an increase in visits to the site as students and faculty returned to the library after the three-year renovation.

A staff Intranet: Some staff departures over the past few years had Communications looking at the staff intranet page, which is accessed from the Libraries’ home page. The single page listing of links receives a great deal of use, but has grown so long it has become unwieldy and difficult to navigate. Communications began working with the Web Implementation Team to look at a different way of presenting news and information to the Libraries’ staff.

After reviewing the results of a staff online survey and comments at three focus group meetings, it was decided the best answer was a move toward a staff intranet…a site specifically for the Libraries’ faculty and staff, with a graphic interface and easier navigation.

A content management system: Surveys, interviews and focus groups with Libraries’ staff and faculty made it clear that most people found adding and maintaining content on existing web pages very difficult. The Web Implementation Team (a unit of the Information Technology Division) has begun devising a solution, the use of a content management system (CMS). Resembling a word processing program in its operation, a CMS would give Libraries’ personnel to the ability to modify web content on both the internet and intranet sites easily and quickly, without the need for complicated coding.

Specific details on each project are available at the three project updates links at the top right portion of this page.

We’re hopeful that the Libraries’ new web presence will provide patrons and staff with easier, more organized access to the information they need, as well as simplifying the manner in which content is manipulated. Be watching for some early designs of both the internet and intranet sites, as well as updates on the CMS installation, in the near future.