I just sent out the following announcement to various library-related email lists:
Hi All,
I'm pleased to announce a new ListServ for librarians called 'DRUPAL4LIB'.
As the name implies, 'DRUPAL4LIB' is for those interested in Drupal, a popular open-source CMS, as it relates to libraries and librarians.
The idea is to have a forum to exchange ideas and advice, share experiences, and maybe even collaborate on a couple of projects that highlight the use of Drupal in a library context.
The ever helpful Cary Gordon has kindly agreed to serve as "moderator" along with your's truly.
SUBSCRIBE
Send the command 'SUBSCRIBE DRUPAL4LIB First_name Last_name' in the body of an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU.
Alternatively you can subscribe by selecting 'Join or Leave the DRUPAL4LIB List' from the DRUPAL4LIB Archives Page:
http://listserv.uic.edu/archives/drupal4lib.htmlEveryone is welcome, whether beginner or pro!
LEO
www.leoklein.com (site)
www.ChicagoLibrarian.com (blog)
aim/msn/yhoo/goog: 'leorobertklein'
Comments
Clarification
Any suggestions on what should be posted here and what should be posted to the listserv?
I am thinking that the listserv was started as a place for more informal discussion.
ListServ : Instant Gratification
You know, the whole idea came about because I regularly see questions on the library email lists I'm on related to Drupal. The answers I see there aren't always that great because the various lists don't really specialize in the CMS. I figured what really might help out was a ListServ of our own.
Within a little over 6 hours after announcing the thing, we already have over 100 subscribers!
As far as what to do with one or the other, who knows? An email list is certainly more "push" than coming to a group but people have to be aware that their every comment is going out to a significant number of people.
One way or the other, I think all of our efforts combined are giving Drupal a whole lot more visibility in the library world and that's what counts.
ListServ : Old Technology
Why persist in using such a dated technology to further the discussion about this forward looking CMS that is being used to power so many next generation efforts? Why not just focus everyone over here to the Library Group and then let them turn on e-mail subscriptions if they want to receive postings in their in-box? That is how I knew this conversation was taking place...works like a charm!
Plus, that keeps the discussion about Drupal in libraries firmly within the larger discussions about Drupal as an open source project. We cannot cut ourselves off from the larger development picture when there are so many useful things going on! Wouldn't it be better for librarians to more fully join the Drupal conversation and help with search, indexing, categorizing, and otherwise organizing information within the system?'
Just my thoughts as a Drupal using librarian who hates silos.
Expanding Access Choices Creates No Silos
Hi CG,
Old and dated it might be but it's still effective in reaching out to people. Multiple ways of accessing information, one a group, the other a ListServ, don't cancel each other out.
It's certainly not creating a "silo" when you expand the variety of ways people can access information. It's just another way of getting the word out.
Open/Public Conversations Promote Growth
I just find e-mail lists (even those with open archives) to be very closed. The Drupal Groups are incredibly open and public in contrast. Anyone else working with Drupal can stop by to see what we are talking about....maybe bringing with them just the module or code snippet that we need!
I am on enough library mailing lists to know they aren't going anywhere, but in this case it is especially problematic because this group has full e-mail support.
Perhaps we could send a mailing out to the e-mail list inviting people to also join this Drupal group? I would be happy to write up some directions for creating an account and setting things up so it works very much like an e-mail list.