LISTSERV mailing list manager LISTSERV 16.5

Help for CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB Archives

CODE4LIB Archives


CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Monospaced Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB Home

CODE4LIB  August 2013

CODE4LIB August 2013

Subject:

Re: LibGuides: I don't get it

From:

Wilhelmina Randtke <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Tue, 13 Aug 2013 09:17:29 -0500

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (255 lines)

Well, see, there you've said that the technology skills for open source are
all on the install/maintenance side. Duh. Install and maintenance needs
to be done by someone. Writing a check to outsource install and
maintenance is one way to get those skills. Writing a check to Springshare
solves technology issues, because Springshare provides the same product
across libraries. An open source community, where a variety of companies
provide services, will have some companies that provide a better deal than
others and even vendors who provide different service to different clients
based on how savvy the client is.

The answer to proprietary hosted is not files with tar.gz extension or
coding. The functionality most libraries get from a LibGuides is to get
away from some IT bottleneck, avoid hassles of running a server and
backups, or even have political clout by using a CMS that is only used by
libraries (ie. if IT has heard of the CMS before, that's a much more uphill
battle to use it). My guess is about nobody cares about similar
functionality in terms of boxes here, boxes there, widgets.

A way to promote an open source alternative would be to identify reputable
hosts who already provide services. Then be informed about those so that
libraries know what they can outsource where, and to give an impression of
library community around specific sets of outsourcing arrangements, so that
libraries have political clout to present a chosen vendor as a "library
issue" that can't be implemented in a one-size-fits all CMS provided by a
parent institution.

Making some tar.gz files is futile and misses the point. Does anyone
really not get that?

-Wilhelmina Randtke


On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 7:20 PM, Andrew Darby <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I don't get this argument at all. Why is it "counter productive to try to
> look at open source alternatives" if the vendor's option is relatively
> cheap? Why wouldn't you investigate all options? Maybe the vendor option
> makes sense, maybe the open source option does.
>
> The "technology skills" for open source software are on the
> install/maintenance side. It's not like the content creator has to do some
> crazy programming if they want to create a guide in the open source option,
> while in LibGuides a team of angels guides their every click and drag.
>
> And if technology skills are missing, how does writing a check to
> Springshare remedy the situation? How does sending that check to
> Springshare benefit the "small poorly resourced" libraries?
>
> I assume I'm preaching to choir when I say that we should all be open to
> supporting our peers' open source efforts, rather than dismissing them out
> of hand.
>
> Andrew
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 5:49 PM, Wilhelmina Randtke <[log in to unmask]
> >wrote:
>
> > Technology tools are a non issue here. Straightforward documented open
> > source technology is readily available. What is missing is technology
> > skills. Someone can't buy those if they don't already have technology
> > skills, or else they are a sitting duck for scammers.
> >
> > With a basic pricing of about $1000 a year, it's counter productive to
> try
> > look at open source alternatives. $1000 a year with more handholding is
> > good. Even companies, like lishost, which do open source for libraries
> > price in this same range, because they have to take on more handholding.
> I
> > also don't see vendor lock in issues in LibGuides, since the research
> > guides concept includes routine change and replacing content.
> >
> > If you want libraries to operate better, what you should be doing is
> having
> > conversations with people from a variety of libraries, including small
> > poorly resourced ones, recognizing that there is a spectrum of needs, and
> > being available to provide realistic advice. (That advice would be
> > different for different libraries.)
> >
> > Lack of access to technology skill creates the situations in which
> > LibGuides is useful and beneficial. Lack of access to technology
> > skill causes most situations in which LibGuides are a counter productive
> > waste of time, whether that's a misguided administrator or poor
> > interdepartmental communication (yes, even competent IT housed in a
> library
> > is sometimes not proactive and helpful at being in touch with IT-hostile
> > reference departments). If you have technology skill, then by having
> broad
> > connections and being available to give advice or pointers, you can
> assist
> > libraries / departments that don't have the luxury of having access to
> > technology skill. If all you do is drum on open source diy, when there
> is
> > a low cost alternative that works, then you harm things.
> >
> > -Wilhelmina Randtke
> >
> > On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 2:04 PM, Andrew Darby <[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > There are open source solutions created by librarians: SubjectsPlus
> and
> > > Library a la Carte.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 2:38 PM, Cornel Darden Jr. <
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hello?
> > > >
> > > > Soringshre's link-rot tool has gotten much better. Even at alerting
> > > admins
> > > > about broken links. I think $999 a year for the basic package is
> worth
> > it
> > > > since most librarians aren't coders like we 'ALL' should be! Maybe an
> > > open
> > > > source solution created by librarians is needed. However database
> > > > management will still require librarians to pick up those skills like
> > SQL
> > > > that we too often think isn't or shouldn't be a skill that a
> librarian
> > > must
> > > > have. It's the 21st century!!!!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Cornel Darden Jr.
> > > > MSLIS
> > > > Librarian
> > > > Kennedy-King College
> > > > City Colleges of Chicago
> > > > Work 773-602-5449
> > > > Cell 708-705-2945
> > > >
> > > > > On Aug 11, 2013, at 11:21 AM, Robert Sebek <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >> On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 9:54 AM, Heather Rayl <[log in to unmask]>
> > > wrote:
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I have to say that I loathe LibGuides. My library makes extensive
> > use
> > > of
> > > > >> them, too. Need a web solution? The first thing out of someone's
> > mouth
> > > > is
> > > > >> "Let's put it in a LibGuide!"
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Shudder
> > > > >>
> > > > >> This fall, I'll be moving our main site over to Drupal, and I'm
> > hoping
> > > > that
> > > > >> eventually I can convince people to re-invent their LibGuides
> > there. I
> > > > can
> > > > >> use the "saving money" card, and the "content silos are bad" card
> > and
> > > > >> *maybe* I will be successful.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Anyone fought this particular battle before?
> > > > >>
> > > > >> ~heather
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I'm fighting that battle right now. We have an excellent CMS into
> > > which
> > > > I
> > > > > have set up all our database URLs, descriptions, etc.Anytime we
> need
> > to
> > > > > refer to a database on a page, we use one of those entries. That
> > > database
> > > > > just changed platforms? No problem. I change the URL in one place
> and
> > > > > everything automatically updates (hooray CMSs!).
> > > > >
> > > > > All of our subject guides (http://www.lib.vt.edu/subject-guides/)
> > are
> > > in
> > > > > the CMS using the exact same database entries. I converted from our
> > > > > failing, home-grown system into the CMS and then gave training on
> how
> > > to
> > > > > maintain from there (remove an entry, add an entry, create a
> parallel
> > > > > course guide)--using the same skills as maintaining any other web
> > page
> > > > that
> > > > > librarian is responsible for. But apparently that's too hard.
> > > > >
> > > > > So we have a trial of LibGuides. NO ONE here has created a guide
> from
> > > > > scratch yet, but they all say this is going to be easy. No one
> will
> > > > admit
> > > > > that someone will have to recreate all those database entries
> > > (literally
> > > > > hundreds) and then maintain those entries. When presented with
> this,
> > > > > several librarians said--oh that won't be necessary, we'll just
> > create
> > > > > individual entries as needed on individual guides. WHAT?!
> > > > >
> > > > > If implemented, we'll have hundreds and hundreds of entries, any of
> > > which
> > > > > could be out of date and nonfunctional, with no easy way to find
> and
> > > fix,
> > > > > other than waiting for patrons to complain that the link doesn't
> > work.
> > > > Ugh.
> > > > > All for several thousand dollar a year (as opposed for free in the
> > > CMS).
> > > > >
> > > > > And yes, those librarians' favorite example libguides have a dozen
> > tabs
> > > > > with hundreds of links on each tab. Overwhelm the patron with
> > > links--who
> > > > > cares! Just let me recreate the Yahoo Directory I so miss with
> every
> > > > > possible resource I can find online. Half those links don't work
> next
> > > > > semester? Doesn't matter, as no one will ever maintain that page
> > again
> > > > (and
> > > > > no patron will use it, since they will just Google these resources
> > > > anyway).
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Robert Sebek
> > > > > Webmaster, Virginia Tech Libraries
> > > > > (http://www.lib.vt.edu/)
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Andrew Darby
> > > Head, Web & Emerging Technologies
> > > University of Miami Libraries
> > >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Andrew Darby
> Head, Web & Emerging Technologies
> University of Miami Libraries
>

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

Advanced Options


Options

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password


Search Archives

Search Archives


Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003

ATOM RSS1 RSS2



LISTS.CLIR.ORG

CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager