Greetings Drupal users,
I attended a Library technology Conference in Canada over 2 days. The conference is dubbed “Access” 2009 conference – a library technology conference focused on access issues and the technologies that provide access to information. From that conference, I realized that there are so many Canadian libraries using Drupal and doing really cool stuff with it.
I happen to be the chair of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica. We want to update our Website: http://www.liaja.org.jm/ using Drupal.
Also I have recognised the need for Jamaican librarians to learn open source as we are behind in the resources that are currently being applied in North American libraries, and cannot afford to use commercial providers. I want to help my library friends and Jamaican libraries learn how to use and apply Drupal to developing websites that can help these libraries to have an online presence and promote access to the information that we have available.
Since Drupal – is an open source content management system for developing modern website user interface and applications and libraries have already customized some of the modules that other libraries can use, I wanted to seek to find some persons who would be willing to volunteer to run some workshops with the Library Association.
Any one who would be willing, please let me know.
Comments
What are your needs?
mscale,
Glad to see that more persons in Jamaica are recognizing the benefits of Open Source. Since you are more familiar with your set-up I think before anyone can volunteer you'll need to give some idea of what your needs are and what you would want to achieve in these workshops. Will they be directed at IT personnel are management, etc.?
OK. I will write up a
OK. I will write up a workshop proposal and post it here.
Thanks.
Unofficial Draft Proposal for LIAJA “Drupal” workshop
Unofficial and Incomplete Draft Proposal for Library Group (LIAJA) “Drupal” workshop
--------------------Introduction------------------
The Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA), a not-for-profit organization, concerned with the development of the country’s libraries and the professional development of Jamaican librarians wishes to conduct a Drupal workshop.
The workshop affords librarians and their IT staff from various institutions the opportunity to learn how to create modern library websites using the open source and free web content management software, Drupal. Drupal is a tool that equip libraries and librarians to create, redesign tor customize their library’s website with modern features that allow for the integration of the 21st century new media.
--------------------Background---------------------
Our body is as a not-for-profit association that is mostly self-financed from membership fees and fundraising initiatives put on by our members and volunteers to fund the body. We have a membership of over 200, but despite the number of our membership, the contribution of fees to the association is purely voluntary and insufficient to execute many of the programs and initiatives that we as an Executive body envision. As such, our initiatives are always part sponsored or in partnership with other institutions that can lend us the financial or human capital that we need in order to pursue the organization’s mission.
The organization, has as its mission:
“To provide leadership in the development and promotion of resources in the library and information profession in order to facilitate access to and use of information for national growth.” (http://www.liaja.org.jm/Liaja_Mission2009.pdf)
Further, the role of the Information Technology Working Party according to our website is to:
“Promote the use of Information and Communications Technologies in libraries and provides members with the opportunities to develop competencies using ICT.” (http://www.liaja.org.jm/working.htm)
It is therefore in keeping with LIAJA’s mission and the Working Party’s role, that this workshop is being held. The intent of this workshop is to allow the organization to fulfill its mandate of providing leadership in the development and promotion of library resources for national growth, through training Jamaican librarians and their IT support staff, how to utilize Drupal in creating Websites that will promote their library resources. In addition, the workshop will give Jamaican library staff in library institutions an opportunity for the development of competences in using the open source content management system Drupal.
----------------------Aims and Objectives:---------------------
As stated before, the main vision for the workshop is to:
• Stimulate interest among librarians and their IT staff in using free Open source library website content management modules and
• Have some Jamaican libraries create their own library websites using Drupal that will promote and make their resources more accessible to the public.
To achieve this, workshop participants will learn and discover:
• Drupal, its features and what it offers
• how Drupal can benefit libraries
• libraries that are using Drupal
• Drupal modules that are created for and used by libraries
• how to plan and design the Drupal site and the steps/process involved.
At the end, librarians should be able to :
• recognize the value of Drupal to their libraries, their organizations and the Jamaican society
• create their own customized Drupal library website to promote their services and resources
-------------------The Workshop Program and Content-----------------
The Association having surveyed the needs of its members, has suggested a theme for the workshop as follows:
Theme: “Drupal for Your Library: Using Open Source Content Management System to create 21st Century library Websites”
Topics to be covered:
• Drupal: An Overview
• How can Drupal benefit Jamaican libraries
• Libraries that are using Drupal
• Drupal modules that are created for and used by libraries
• How to plan and design the Drupal site and the steps/process involved
This sounds like a great opportunity for the community
This is a great opportunity for us to practice for a Drupal Camp. I am visualizing a number of presenters, ppl like varunity, canen, axle_foley00, newms and myself or anyone who is willing to do presentations. This could be a whole day where ppl can come in for 2 hour sessions.
Frazras, I'd be willing to
Frazras,
I'd be willing to help out in this initiative in preparation for an eventual Drupal Camp( with a limit to the amount of time I can dedicate). I can definitely assist by giving a presentation, I'm up for it if others are also willing.
Great
Ok so thats varunity and myself - approximately 4 hrs so far. I am thinking 2 more presenters and some background and organisational people and we should be good to go. Any more takers?
I'd be willing to help out as
I'd be willing to help out as well.
Great
I am delighted to see the positive responses so far.
I have a meeting this Friday with the Executive body of LIAJA. After this meeting I will have the official word from the association.
Great, let us know how it
Great, let us know how it goes.
Unofficial reaction
My Executive body is excited about this workshop/camp.
However, they want me to ensure that all those who are volunteering for this camp understand that LIAJA would look after refreshments and possibly stipends, but would not be able to pay those conducting the workshop.
LIAJA also would prefer the camp being in May or August so as to not clash with other events planned for the year.
However, we could begin discussion about the timing of the workshop.
Finally, location is another query that we have. Usually, we would attempt to get the library school at UWI, to borrow their computer lab. However, if you are aware of any other options, you can let us know.
Thanks much.
MSB Interests
Varunity just linked me to this discussion... we're doing a few things with Drupal as well, as part of general FOSS initiatives at MSB/UWI, and are currently exploring some online publishing initiatives including OpenPublish which is a packaged distribution of Drupal, tailored to online publishers. Given the suggested May/August timetable, we could also have something meaningful to the library community, to contribute to the workshop..
So in other words, you are
So in other words, you are saying that you could undertake Drupal in libraries as your next project?
Actually, we're not saying
Actually, we're not saying that at all.. just that some of the things we're trying to do with FOSS (including Drupal) @ MSB may be relevant to talk about at your w/shop.. I'm sure there is much more expertise within this community that can provide a good perspective on possibilities for "Drupal in libraries".. However we're happy to discuss our own experiences.