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Hi Brad, My current workplace is set up in the campus CMS, Umbraco. It is very limiting in what we can do (can't use widgets without permission), and time-consuming to make edits. Apparently the state purchased another CMS, and no other options will be available. I can't speak for what the new CMS will be like, and how much freedom we will have with it (I'm not on that committee), but I can say that the current CMS is not good for the library. Hannah On Tue, Sep 2, 2014 at 11:39 AM, Brad Coffield <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi all, > > I would love to hear from people about what sort of setup they have > regarding linkage/collaboration/constrictions/freedom regarding campus-wide > IT practices and CMS usage and the library website. > > Some history: For a very long time our library ran its own server and its > own website, completely independent of campus-wide concerns (save for > occasional requests for help from IT with server issues). A few years ago > the server began to reach EOL and it was determined that we couldn't afford > to get another. Also around the same time it was deemed that the library > website needed a complete re-do. I was tapped to do that re-do. During that > process the Marketing dept got involved and it was agreed upon that the > library's general look should be aligned with the university's public site > (which I think was a good idea). Then it was determined that because of > that decision that the simplest way to achieve it was to put us inside > their existing CMS which was already setup etc etc. > > Part of the problem is that the existing CMS is Ektron... > > The revised library site went live in Ektron 2 years ago. My marketing > contact was a massive help in getting it live and training me in ektron > etc. He is now no longer with the university and we are in the middle of a > transition period. > > My inclination and desire is to regain some level of independence wherein > we collaborate with IT in getting our own server space on their servers but > are not tied to their decisions regarding CMS, how and when to go > mobile-friendly, etc. Our site is still not fully, truly what it should be > because of limitations with Ektron and I would like to get out of it. I > would like to have the option to either run a CMS of my choice or go > CMS-less (since I'm the only editor). I fear that the site will be held > back from being able to do the things that it needs to do. > > I'm hoping that I can get some responses from you all that way I can > informally say "of x libraries that responded y of them are not firmly tied > to IT." (or something to that effect) I'm also very curious to read > responses because I'm sure they will be educational and help me to make our > site better. > > THE QUESTION: > > What kind of setup does your library have regarding servers, IT dept > collaboration, CMS restrictions, anything else? I imagine that there are > many unique situations. Any input you're willing to provide will be very > welcome and useful. > > Thank you! > > Warm regards, > > Brad > > > > > > -- > Brad Coffield, MLIS > Assistant Information and Web Services Librarian > Saint Francis University > 814-472-3315 > [log in to unmask] >