Content Management, the Catalog, and the Library

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Content Management, the Catalog, and the Library

• or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love our
  OPAC

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Pierce County Library System

• Founded in 1945
• Population of service area 509,000
• Registered borrowers 198,000
• service area 1600 square miles
• Library materials 1,325,860

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Background

• PCLS began using Polaris in May of 2004
• Implementation without adequate training led to
  frustration for both staff and patrons

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The Response

• Polaris Search Screen Committee formed
• 58 patrons interviewed
• Patron focus group formed
• Most frustration found to involve search
  functions in the catalog
• Recognition that customization of current catalog
  could remedy some of the frustration

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The First Step

• The original Quick Search

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The First Step

• Quick Search was confusing to patrons
• Patrons wanted a simply-worded set of search
  options with only the most common options
  presented

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The First Step

• The new, improved Quick Search

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The First Step

• Simple, clean and to the point
• Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive

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Content Management and the Librarys Public
Website

• PCLS undertook a renewed effort to market itself
  to the community
• Bids were requested for the development of a new
  site and a content management system to help
  manage it
• Sitecrafting was chosen to provide us with this
  package

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Content Management and the Librarys Public
Website

• The new Content Management System (CMS) is module
  based. Some of these modules are
• Custom Blog module
• RSS feeds module
• Events Calendar module
• Rotating Home Page Ad module
• News and News Release module
• File Library module
• Book Lists module
• Branches module

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Content Management and the Librarys Public
Website

• The CMS is based on Visual Basic.NET with a SQL
  backend
• The CMS puts the ability and responsibility for
  producing and managing content into the hands of
  the content producers

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What does the new Web site look like?
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Online Event Calendar

• Find events at PCLS, by event type and by branch

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Branches

• Hours
• Phone Numbers
• Driving Directions

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Reading and Books

• Over 90 Booklists
• Book Selection Tools
• Book Discussions
• Online Book Clubs

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Kids

• Get a Library Card
• Kids Program Calendar
• Booklists by Grade Level and Topic
• Local Authors for Kids

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Teens

• Library Clubs
• Calendar
• Research Tips
• Local History

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Outreach

• Adult Care Facilities Delivery
• Homebound Delivery
• Bookmobiles
• Language Communities

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Evolution of the PCLS OPAC

• Customization beyond The Buttons

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Evolution of the PCLS OPAC
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Evolution of the PCLS OPAC

• The beta test period was a good time to make
  major customizations
• Beta testing, while challenging, has allowed us
  to develop strong ties with Polaris Library
  Systems and given us the opportunity to influence
  the product itself

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Customization

• The PowerPAC has many elements designed
  specifically to facilitate customization

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Customization

• Custom Themes
• Panels
• Web Parts
• The language files
• SA settings

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The Results

• What were the results of our customization
  efforts?

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Where do we go from here?

• Integration of RSS feeds produced by Polaris 3.3
  into the public Web site pages
• Production of the Catalog Home page content
  directly from our Content Management System
• Much more

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Thank you!

• Pierce County Library Web Site
• http//www.piercecountylibrary.org
• My Email Address
• mmckenney_at_piercecountylibrary.org