Web Content Manager position

Here's some more info from the DCIC mentioned in yesterday's post ... this section talks about the Web Content Manager position .... it's a little dry, but it was one of the best things we've done, and yet not with a cost ... due to the way our County makes it nearly impossible to get additional positions added to the staff roster, we gave up our Network Admin position to create the WCM ... It's made life more complicated for some folks in our IT department, but we were able to work with the County's IT group to ensure adequate coverage and oversight.

Section 5.3.1.1 (p28)

"A new position, the Web Content Manager, will be added to ensure that the library’s Web sites (including its partnership Web entities and the intranet) will be adequately managed. The WCM will work with the Web Services Coordinator to plan, create, and sustain each Web initiative, will supervise those who perform the library’s content creation, management, and publication, and will act as the library’s “editor-in-chief” for all Web publishing. Content management standards and styles will be adopted and codified by the WCM and will become a part of the formalized content management system. This position will work with library staff and partners to create new methods and digital delivery vehicles for carrying out service missions and goals. Close and frequent interaction with county and library staff will result in annual and long range plans which will follow existing monitoring and reporting procedures. The Web Content Manager will collaborate with Community Relations staff to develop marketing plans to build community awareness of each Web entity. External funding opportunities will be identified and sought to ensure that necessary resources will be available as planned. In addition, the WCM will assist the library’s Training Department in delivering online tutorials and classroom training which will allow staff and patrons to make the best use of the web-based content.

"By assigning these duties to one individual whose entire job will be focused on the development and delivery of web-based products and services, the library sites will show greater consistency, a higher level of functionality, and will run more efficiently and effectively. An additional advantage to the library will be that the current content supervisors will be relieved of their content responsibilities, and will be able to focus more time and effort to providing direct patron services.

"As identified in Bob Boiko’s Content Management Bible (2002), the Web Content Manager will need to have a full understanding of the discipline of content management, specifically, the appropriate processes, technologies, and standards associated with collecting, managing, and publishing content-rich sites. Along with the obvious content management knowledge, the WCM will also need to be conversant in Web delivery technologies (including hardware and software, networking issues, and database structures), editorial processes, cataloging and informational organization, and abstract information analysis."

Erica Reynolds was hired as Johnson County Library's Web Content Manager about a year ago and has done a great job ... it helps that she agrees with me (at least publicly) on most things content-related. She can be read at QueequegLib, though she told me she might change the name soon ... I'll repost when she does.

Web Content Team

Dave King from Dave's Blog wrote me today and asked for some info on Johnson County Library's Web Content Team. What follows is right from the 2002 Creating Johnson County Library's Digital Community Information Clearinghouse: a Strategic Plan (you'll be happy to know that upon hiring Erica Reynolds, we changed the name to JoCoConnect). I'll post a link later that will take you to the full document, should anyone want it ...

Section 5.3.1 (p27)

"The library will centralize content creation and Web entity development into a single focused work team. The library has attempted to answer its Web development and maintenance needs using several different methods. From outsourcing the entire site to a vendor, to involving as many as 30 people across six departments, the library continues to seek a model which is responsive and sustainable. Outsourcing left the library unable to quickly respond to information need changes, while the inclusive approach involving nearly 10% of the library’s entire staff led to bureaucracy, inconsistency, mediocrity, and lack of proper content management or control. A team of five Web Content Developers supervised by a Web Content Manager will be utilized to provide adequate planning, scheduling, publishing, and regular content changes and maintenance for all library pages. With administrative oversight and assistance for the Web Content Manager, the Web Content Developers will also be responsible for creating and developing content partnerships (page and content development for one or two Web entities. Two database entry clerks will be used to support the developers by performing database entry and content layouts. The Web development team will report to the LIT department, and will be required to participate and successfully complete an intensive orientation program to teach them about the library in general, and specifically about the subject areas in which they will be developing content ..."

" ... The shift to content-rich Web entities will require some staffing changes from traditional library work to project management and facilitation, with an emphasis on Web page content development and design. In addition to those mentioned above, existing staff will be needed to provide clerical, technical, indexing or cataloging support, training, and marketing."

I've gotta run, but will add more tomorrow ... thanks for the interest!