Content Management Systems

Have you ever felt that you knew a little bit about something only to have that obliterated. You then come to the realization that you know next to nothing. Well that is what this class has been like for me. I thought that I knew a little something about computers, but it turns out that I know very little.

Ok now to the point of talking technology. I came across this article American Libraries about CMS (content management systems). I was interested to find out what CMS was and how it applied to libraries because I had never heard of it. This article was on the CMS Drupal. Apparently (and correct me if I am wrong), content management systems are very complex (or so it seems to me) that allows organizations to control a vast array of things from publishing, workflow, certain roles for users, etc. It seemed very interesting, and I have decided to do my paper on the topic. I have also been informed by Professor Paul that U of L is migrating to a CMS. If anyone is interested in playing around with Drupal you can go to their website drupal.org. CMS are also community maintained sites, and an administrator can determine who has the ability to edit information on the website. Drupal is a site that is maintained by a community of individuals that provide the updates and information. The best part, though, is that it is FREE!!

Jaybrarian

We have all head of a jay walker (someone who crosses the street outside the crosswalk). Well I was reading my September issue of American Libraries and came across an article titled "Consider the Jaybrarian." This article referred to newly minted library professionals straight out of their master's programs (that will soon be us). When I saw the article and read the opening paragraph about the comparison to jay walkers I was worried that this might be an article on how new LIS graduates are unaware of the rules and 'ways' in which libraries that get hired at work. I was thinking this might be more of a negative article about how we may not be as knowledgable as the other staff who have been working there for years. I was wrong!! This is an article about how, as new LIS graduates, we bring a vast amount of new optimism and enthusiam to our field, because we are eager to take our place in our profession. The author states that in ways the Jaybrarians will always walk outside the defined lines of an organization, but that this is not bad because it can lead to more creative innovation. The author says that the profession should accept these new professionals with open arms, because we may have solutions even if we are the fresh new faces of the profession.