Sonya Schryer Norris Library of Michigan

1. Sonya Schryer Norris Library of Michigan Library of Michigan

2. Plinkit Provides Web Sites That Are Free for Michigan Libraries Paid for by the Library of Michigan via LSTA Dollars Library of Michigan

3. Highlights • Free Web site and hosting – no on-going costs! • Training and support • Advanced features • Professional, customized look for each library Library of Michigan

4. Where Did Plinkit Come From? • Initially, it was a 2003 LSTA grant in Oregon to specialize Web site development software for libraries • Designed for small and rural libraries • In 2006 it opened up to other states Library of Michigan

5. Why Would You Participate? • Does your library need a Web site but you don't have the time or resources to build one from scratch? • Or perhaps you don’t have a staff member with expertise in HTML? • Then Plinkit is for you! Library of Michigan

6. Already Have a Site? • Does your library have a Web site but it's difficult to maintain? • Do you have to pay someone to maintain or host it? • Do you want a more professional look? • Do you think your Web site could be doing more for you and your patrons? • Then Plinkit is for you! Library of Michigan

7. What’s in it for your community? • A 21st century library presence • The ability to include links to community organizations such as Rotary and the Lions Club • The ability to search your catalog from home (where applicable) • The ability to access hours/location and other basic information about your library 24/7 Library of Michigan

8. Consider Plinkit A One-Stop Solution in All of These Areas – We Even Provide Free Training and On-Going Support! Library of Michigan

9. Oregon Colorado Illinois Texas Michigan Library of Virginia NEBASE (Nebraska) PALINET (for DE, MD, NJ, PA & WV) Who Participates? Plinkit is a nation-wide collaborative with many hundreds of sites Library of Michigan

10. Why Did the Library of Michigan Choose Plinkit? • Plinkit is optimized for libraries • Plinkit is backed-up by a nation-wide collaborative of library agencies • Plinkit is customizable in Michigan • Plinkit has what we need! Library of Michigan

11. Plinkit Is Easy to Use • Plinkit refers to the the software that powers the Web sites. • It’s called a Content Management System Library of Michigan

12. What’s a Content Management System (CMS)? It’s the Easy Way to Create a Web Site and Most Professional Sites Are Powered by Them Library of Michigan

13. A Content Management System… • Allows you to edit content with controls similar to Microsoft Word – you don’t need to know HTML! • Sets the look of the pages so they are consistent • Gives the site a tailored, professional appearance • Provides advanced features Library of Michigan

14. It’s About How It Works • A CMS controls the back-end of a Web site: how it works. • Web sites built on the same content management system can look very different Library of Michigan

15. Who Controls Content on the Site? • YOU do • There will be a template and some state-wide information and features such as the MeL logo and some MeL databases but you control the content. Library of Michigan

16. Features Library of Michigan

17. Homepage Library of Michigan

18. Kids and Teens Library of Michigan

19. Kids and Teens: Logged In Library of Michigan

20. E-shelf and Research Library of Michigan

21. Optional Community Organizations Database Library of Michigan

22. Digital Exhibits Library of Michigan

23. News and Events Library of Michigan

24. Calendar Library of Michigan

25. Patrons Can Add Library Events to Their Personal Calendars, Such as Outlook Library of Michigan

26. About Us Library of Michigan

27. Staff Area Including Calendar Library of Michigan

28. MeL Databases and Other Local E-Resources • Some of the MeL databases will automatically appear on your E-resources site with a link to MeL. • Enjoy space for a digital collections. You could use this for photographs of your library and library events. Library of Michigan

29. How Will My Site Look? • To start, pick from among 16 different color schemes • Then work with a professional graphic designer hired and paid for by the Library of Michigan for a customized, coordinating banner to distinguish your site Library of Michigan

30. Plinkit Example 1 Library of Michigan

31. Plinkit Example 2 Library of Michigan

32. Plinkit Example 3 Library of Michigan

33. Plinkit Example 4 Library of Michigan

34. Plinkit Example 5 Library of Michigan

35. What Else Can Plinkit Provide? • Plinkit has support materials like press releases and other marketing supplies • Plinkit will have state-wide participation and a community of Michigan libraries to share the joy with • Plinkit will have the resources of a nation-wide consortium backing up our sites Library of Michigan

36. Where Are We in Michigan with This? I’m glad you asked… Library of Michigan

37. Call for Advisory Committee • The Advisory Committee will be a standing body with rolling terms of member participation • We’re looking for energetic library staff who are keyed into their staff and community needs • Web site administration skills are NOT required • See Michlib-l for the call Library of Michigan

38. Call for Pilot Libraries • The Library of Michigan will be looking for five small and/or rural libraries to participate as pilots. What a great time to get involved! • Please contact Sonya Schryer Norris at norriss2@michigan.gov or 517-373-4457 if you would like to volunteer to be a pilot site • See the call on Michlib-l this summer Library of Michigan

39. How Can I Become a Plinkit Library? • After the pilot phase – approximately Spring of 2010 – libraries will be added on a rolling basis. There will be a place on the Michigan Plinkit Web site to sign up for a Plinkit site. Library of Michigan

40. Questions?Want to Become a Plinkit Library? Contact Sonya Schryer Norris Norriss2@michigan.gov 517-373-4457 Library of Michigan