Unit 3: Thoughts on Taking 2 Classes

Taking two classes has definitely been much more challenging, especially because the majority of the students are adults with families and professions. Someone it is a much more unique than the undergraduate experience of a par-time job with no kids and other responsibilities. I have to say that what is most noticeable to me in the amount of reading that is done each week for each class. The technical portion of it I find to be less noticeable, I believe because I enjoy this aspect of the course. So as far as the pace of the technology assignments I think the pace is appropriate. The reading may be reduced a bit, but then again it may seem like a lot to me because both courses are requiring quite a bit. I think more discussion on such topics is more interactive instead of one specific discussion question and it will make it more interesting.

I know I have already this before, but I appreciate the clearness of the instructions when we are doing our technology assignments. The steps are very easy to follow and the fact that you provide the reason for such commands makes grasping the concepts and commands understandable.

Unit 2: CMS Article Discussion

In reading CMS/CMS: content management system/change management strategies I quickly related to the change concept. This is because the Phoenix Public Library is in phases of changing its virtual presence. Just like the article stated a "committee" has formed to make strategical and tactical decisions in the direction the virtual library presence will take. For this reason different people, at different levels and outlooks were selected as part of this group. Prior to this there was another group that was established with the best interest of the website. What ended up happening was that the meeting turned into brain-storming seminars about the cool things for the library website to employ. The problem was that this structure lacked fulfillment and responsibility to execute. Many ideas died at the table with the agreement that it was important and in addition upper management was not invested in the major direction or presence that the virtual environment had or could have. Now there is more fulfillment and execution with a priority in making this the best experience for the public, just like they value the experience of going to a physical branch.

If a content management system can help create a virtual environment that easily and conveniently facilities it target audience, the Library needs to invest resources, through finances, personnel and initiatives to create an understanding and support movement that such change is necessary because ultimately the goal is to provide the best experience and service level to its visitors, even if it is a virtual experience and electronically delivered service. In involving key people in the decision-making group, these change agents can relay the importance of the change and also express the other point of view to a management team that in many respects may be a bit divided between reality and their own agendas. Additionally, in agreement with the article, the CMS implementation needs to reflect an overall purpose not just an implementation of technologies and an outpour of databases and collections. It should be a reflection of the entity and its missions, community and also a coordinated and organized reflection of all its resources. What message, usability factors, and other elements are of value and needed to the users? I enjoyed this article very much.

Unit 1: Digital Collection - E Prints

The digital collection I have collected is comprised of digital images of my children. I like to have images of special occasions and holidays. I would most definitely access it the most for reason such as enjoyment, editing the images and updating the collection. My husband and I would love t share this collection with our immediate family and intimate friends. The term of access would be very strict. There would be a short list of people that would have complete viewing access, an even shorter list (just my husband) who would be able to manipulate and manage the database, and fewer people could receive special privileges as granted by us (for example long-lost family members).