Assignment#3 Content Management interview with a Library Web Designer

On May 20^th , 2013 I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Jim Lo who is the Library Web Designer with the DeKalb County Public Library. Through this phone interview we discussed the Content Management System (CMS) that the library system currently uses.  Mr. Lo works in the administrative department of the library system which is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030.  The DeKalb County Library welcomed 4.5 million patrons that visited twenty two library branches or used the library’s website last year.  To review the library’s CMS website features in action  click here .  Provided below is the transcription of the interview conducted:

Transcription of Interview

ffhallvsu: Good afternoon Mr. Lo and thank you for giving me the opportunity to conduct an interview with you today.  I have a few questions that should take about 10 to 15 minutes of your time if that is ok?

Jim Lo: You are very welcome and we can begin anytime you are ready.

ffhallvsu: Ok, Thank you! What type of experience with Content Management Systems did you have prior to managing the current system at DeKalb County Public Library?

Jim Lo: My background is in Computer Science and Web Design.  Before for working with DeKalb County Public Library I worked for a web design firm in which I helped to create and develop the firm’s own CMS software.

ffhallvsu:  Which CMS software is currently use by the library system?

Jim Lo: We are currently using Joomla for the most part.  However we also use WordPress for the blog, podcast, and kids & teen page sections of the site.

ffhallvsu: Do you use the CMS(s) for any other purposes beyond the website and web presence? And if so, what are the other uses?

Jim Lo: Yes we do!  We also use another content management system called Plone for our staff intranet.

ffhallvsu:  Mr. Lo do any other staff members assist you in the management of your CMS(s)?

Jim Lo: I am responsible for conducting all of the customizations to the website and program updates.  Certain staff representatives from various library branches within the system have access to and are allowed only to post and update event information on the calendar for their specific library branch.   The vast amount of events held by libraries in the system and the amount of information that must be communicated about the events makes it too cumbersome for one person to be responsible for this type of updates, the management and updates of communicating this particular service information is shared.

ffhallvsu:  Was there a learning curve while working within this current CMS system? And if so please explain?

Jim Lo: Why yes!  I never worked with Joomla before and I only had limited experience with WordPress.  It took some time to understand and work with the different features and aspects of Joomla and WordPress in order to customize it to fit the DeKalb County Public Library's needs.  Shortly after I came on board with the library system we acquired Joomla back in 2007.

ffhallvsu:  What was the decision making criterion behind choosing to use Joomla, instead of other CMS for your library system?

Jim Lo: DeKalb Public Library required a CMS that had an events calendar component built in to the system.  At the time, back in 2007, Joomla was the best CMS software provider for this feature.  Also the ease of use, ability to change the look and overall feel of the website, and the fact that several people can be logged in the system at the same time were all factors to the library using Joomla.  However, there are some downsides and issues with using Joomla.  You never really find these types of problems out until after you purchase a software product.  There is no perfect software created that will do and be everything you need or want it to be.  Right now there are many CMS products that have better calendar features and components than Joomla.  At the time, back in 2007, Joomla was the best choice for our libraries service needs.

ffhallvsu: What is the most important benefit or advantage of the current CMS the library system uses?

Jim Lo: The ability of having different staff members entering updates on events and content for publishing is the most important advantage of using Joomla’s CMS.

ffhallvsu: How does the DeKalb County Public Library assess the success of the CMS or the website itself?

Jim Lo: Every year we evaluate how the website is being used, what pages are used most, and we also conduct customer service surveys to gain feedback on the website and on the library system services.

ffhallvsu:  What type of system was used in the past before the current CMS was in place?  Was it another CMS product?

Jim Lo: The person who maintained the site before I came to DeKalb County Library System did pure HTML.  Every time maintenance or updates were needed he had to update every line of code as needed. There was no content management system for the website before Joomla in 2007.

ffhallvsu: Mr. Lo that was my last interview question.  Thank you again for allowing me to speak with you and for granting my request for an interview so quickly.

Jim Lo: You are welcome.  I wish you well and enjoy your studies!

ffhallvsu: Thank you!

My Reflections On The Interview

The interview conducted with Mr. Lo really gave me a firsthand account of how and why library systems interact with, manage, and choose CMS software to present online services to patrons while developing a strong web presence.   Hearing the opinions of a LIS technical professional who has used Joomla’s content management system, since its implementation at their library institution, allowed me to view how the CMS software in general can be flexible; allowing for growth by being adaptable to the changes and needs of the institution’s services.  I also enjoyed learning how different CMS software systems can be integrated to fully accomplish service goals of a library’s website.