Using the library intranet to manage web content
| Published date | 01 April 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830610669628 |
| Date | 01 April 2006 |
| Pages | 261-272 |
| Author | Sarah Robbins,Debra Engel,James Bierman |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS,
PART 2
Using the library intranet to
manage web content
Sarah Robbins, Debra Engel and James Bierman
University of Oklahoma Libraries, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The University of Oklahoma Libraries (UL) has created content management tools located
on the staff intranet. These tools allow library personnel to control the content on the web site while
the library systems office maintains site navigation and consistent site design. These tools have been
in place for approximately three years, but this study is the first formal evaluation of these systems.
Design/methodology/approach – To evaluate usage of the content management tools in place at
UL, the authors surveyed all levels of library personnel to see how they utilize the library intranet to
manage web site content. The authors examined both self-reported usage of the staff intranet and data
collected from the systems office about actual usage.
Findings – This study provides insight on the intended use of content management systems versus
the actual usage of these systems.
Research limitations/implications – Future research should focus on how CMS is being used by
regular users of the systems rather than usage of the system as a whole. Survey results were skewed
by including student workers who seldom have reason to use the intranet or CMS tools within the
scope of their positions.
Practical implications – Explores the issues surrounding the use of the intranet as a tool for
communication and managing content on a public web site. Tools must be properly marketed if they
are to be fully utilized.
Originality/value – This paper will benefit those in organizations that are considering locally
developing content management tools or that are beginning to evaluate usage of their staff intranet.
Keywords Content management,Intranets, User studies, Libraries
Paper type Research paper
CMS at the university of Oklahoma libraries
Intranets have differing roles within organizations. Some organizations use intranets to
share reports and minutes, post policies, procedures, and announcements, and link to
databases or otherelectronic resources. Intranetapplications, however, are notlimited to
static filesand documents. As Fichter (1999,p. 108) notes, “Some librarieshave also added
interactive discussion forums, collaborative workspaces for teams, election wizards for
academiccommunities, and special newsareas.” A significant aspectof the intranet at the
University of Oklahoma Libraries (UL) is to provide a communication tool where
employeescan find information about the organization and theirunit in one place – work
schedules, organizational forms,information for specific employee groups,and employee
rosters.While fostering communicationis one aspect of UL’s intranet, providingaccess to
content management tools serves as a primary function of the intranet.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Library intranet
to manage web
content
261
Received September 2005
Revised November 2005
Accepted November 2005
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 24 No. 2, 2006
pp. 261-272
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830610669628
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