ASSOCIATES (vol. 4, no. 3, March 1998) - associates.ucr.edu
*"ARE WE UP YET?" OR LAUNCHING A WEBSITE* by Carol Borzyskowski Library Associate Winona Public Library carolb@selco.lib.mn.us Okay, so now everyone who is anyone is on the web and libraries are writing technology programs, policies and statements as fast as they can. The big thing being: LET'S HAVE A PRESENCE! We are scurrying to keep up with public demand, provide services, and redefine our place in the 21st century with one of the problems being how "virtual" can we become and still have a building that people want to visit. Maybe that is just something I worry about. I want to help patrons all I can, and I want to embrace computer technology, but I still want to check out a hard-covered book and place it into the hand of a patron who has managed to find a parking spot around our library--this means fighting the middle school crowd, the office buildings, and food restaurants--and physically come in to get a physical book to read, touch and feel. So, if I feel this way how did I end up being the web-writer at our library. Me, gasp, a NON-PROFESSIONAL? Well, no one else wanted to do it. Sound familiar? The director was all for it, my supervisor was all for it and they were happy I wanted to do the thing. I bought books (remember those, virtual readers?), I studied, I went to classes, then I got Netscape 4.0 and met "Composer" and wept with the joy and simplicity of designing a page. Okay, they are simple pages, I just have the basics, but bubba, I do have a page! Now, the problem started: lack of support. Does this sound familiar? I mean who the heck was I, a non-librarian, to take on such an august project? I ran around and garnered support and info from the children's department, who were delighted to help, and glad I was doing it, and a new staff member who is the best editor I have ever met! I set up simple dummy pages, then I started asking Reference and Technical Services for information, and I am still waiting. Their pages are officially "under construction." I asked Reference for the disks that held their reading lists, and instead got to borrow the lap-top so I could re-create them on my own. I asked for links...and had one of the student pages sneak in and find me some bookmarks. What the heck is going on? It seems to be the age old problem of professional staff not having the time or inclination to be able to do something, but not wanting the "non-professional" staff to do it. So the project is met with downcast eyes, evasions, and passive aggressive resistance. How do I deal with this, you say? Did I mention their pages are marked "under construction"? Yes? Well, did I mention that I put a "mail to" with comments and concerns on each page, to their e-mail addresses? Hmmm? Probably no one has visited the website yet, but all of you can! I also set up my own shameless self-promotion page--including some of my poetry, a short-story, and an essay. I kept talking to the director who is pleased with the page. I set it up as the only page on the local Winona Net. I have it linked to our consortia of 37 libraries. I am spending my own time on files and coming up with ideas. I am a little miffed, but do you know what, I love doing a web page and I feel I have really expanded my LIBRARY ASSOCIATE horizons. I don't get any more pay, or even any more time to do this, but I feel good! Check out the site, and e-mail me, okay? Http://www.selco.lib.mn.us/winona/default.htm??