beautiful and cheap websites and tools for low-tech libraries

Beautiful (and Cheap) Websites and Tools

for Low-Tech Libraries

Veronica Reynolds of New City Library

And Robert Keith of New Jersey

State Library Present:

Websites

Website Cost• Both options are inexpensive.

•All websites will have two fees • Domain Name • A yearly fee is expected to maintain your

domain name. Fees vary depending on the desirability starting as low as $7 a year.

• Hosting • Most companies offer a cheaper plan if a

larger time block is purchased. Most libraries require only the smallest amount of space offered. $4 to $7 a month.

Biggest Web Expense?

Hiring a professional! If you have a large or specialized library,

you may have to hire a professional designer or company to create and

maintain your website.This is where CMS can save you money

and increase your skill set.

Quick and Clean with CMS• CMS stands for Content Management

System. It allows for people with no previous knowledge of programming to put together a simple, clean website. •There are two ways to do a CMS website with minimal outside help. •Use a company like Squarespace. • Install a CMS like Wordpress on your

domain using Fantastico.

WordpressSteps to a Wordpress Site i. Choose and Purchase a Domain name. ii. Find a Webhost (this can be the same as the place you purchased

your domain name as many companies do both) iii. Login to your dashboard. iv. Locate the Fantastico button v. Click to install Wordpress vi. You will be asked to choose an Admin name and password make

sure they are both memorable and secure. Document them well and give them to several responsible people.

vii.Explore your Wordpress Site!

Manage Themes

Wordpress Dashboard

Libraries with Wordpress Sites

•Monroe County Public Library (http://www.keyslibraries.org/ )•Cranbury Public Library (http://www.cranburypubliclibrary.org/ )•Troy Public Library •( http://www.thetroylibrary.org/ )

These sites all have: -information the public wants (phone number, hours, upcoming programs and catalog) -clean and simple look

Let’s Talk Tools

Repurpose Repurposing technology can save time and money. Envious of elegant flat screen televisions that show slides for events? Digital photo frames are far cheaper and can be place anywhere.

Before Photo Frame

After Photo Frame

Sample Slide Made in

Powerpoint

Repurpose OnlineConsidering purchasing a

texting service? Try it for free with Meebo!

Meebo QuestionsA notification lights up at the

bottom of the computer to let us know when there’s a question.

Google Docs

Google Docs are AMAZING for libraries. It allows people to create and share documents, spreadsheets and presentations all online. Best part? Totally free. docs.google.com

Google Docs for Reference Trends

Create a new form in Docs and it automatically generates a spreadsheet with the answers.

Google Docs for Reference Trends

Photo Editing •Photoshop can be expensive and hard to learn, but that

shouldn’t stop anyone from making great signs. • Office 2007 offers great picture tools that crop,

recolor and adds frames. • Sites like iaza.com offer simple photo editing tools

for free. • If you’re feeling adventurous GIMP is an open

source version of Photoshop with many of the same features.• For signs, check out free fonts from sites like

dafont.com

Podcasting•Needed • A headset with microphone ($10-$30)• Audacity (free)

Most CMS Sites have an easy uploader for music files.

Movie MagicIngredients for a Video Birthday Card:

-Sony Camcorder (retails $200 on average) -Windows Movie Maker or iMovie (free with Windows and Mac respectively -Participants (time investment)-Online Video Account with YouTube, Vimeo or similar (free)

A Taste of the Film

Questions?

A copy of this slideshow will be available on another great and free resource Slideshare.

The link is: