The document discusses the need for skill development in librarianship through a 'sandbox' project that allows experimentation with web technologies. It outlines various job descriptions and requirements for web services librarians at different institutions, highlighting the importance of web design, usability, and digital resource management. The project aims to create an environment for testing applications and developing skills while minimizing risks to production services.

1. Web Sandbox for Skill Development Jenny Reiswig, MLS Head, Digital Services and Technology Planning UC San Diego Biomedical Library [email_address]

3. How many of you… Have (some) website responsibility? Have an account on your web server? Have the skills to go back and install ___ on your web server? Have permission to go back and install ___ on your web server?

4. Outline What’s the problem? Generally At my library Goals for a solution Our sandbox project

5. Environmental Factors Websites more complex on the back end database driven content management systems integration with other institutional systems Institutional concerns security concerns: regulations, more threats more collaboration: less control

8. The Skill-Scape

9. C Web Services Librarian - Tulane University WEB SERVICES LIBRARIAN, Tulane University, New Orleans. Howard-Tilton Memorial Library seeks a creative, dynamic librarian to serve as Web Services Librarian. … REQUIREMENTS: ALA-accredited MLS or equivalent; knowledge and experience with web design, metadata, and information architecture; some web coding and programming experience such as PHP, JavaScript, XHTML, and CSS ; background in developing digital initiatives such as archival projects or database-backed dynamic websites ; working knowledge of metadata standards such as Dublin Core as well as digital preservation standards ; working knowledge of relevant Web 2.0 technologies for digital content delivery; skill in translating student and faculty needs into web functions; experience in assisting library users with online resources in an academic library; knowledge of current copyright and licensing issues; project management skills; potential for leadership in a collaborative setting; effective communication and teaching skills; enthusiasm for an innovative and changing environment; willingness to participate in professional development and in the shared governance of the library and the university. PREFERRED: One year or more of post-MLS experience. Experience with ColdFusion and/or CommonSpot content management system . Experience with library instruction, outreach, and reference services. Familiarity with collection development in an academic library. …

10. C Electronic Resources/Web Librarian, UCF College of Medicine The Health Sciences Library at the new College of Medicine is searching for an Electronic Resources/Web Development Librarian. This is a non-tenure track faculty position. The successful candidate will be responsible for collection development, especially ensuring that high quality online materials and a wide array of electronic resources are readily available to virtual medical library users on a variety of platforms. He/she will provide leadership in the development, maintenance, and content management of resour ces by identifying and procuring the use of content from knowledge brokers in support of the virtual medical library’s web site. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in developing complex websites and building database-backed dynamic websites. Demonstrated ability to select, license and manage electronic resources and information. Commitment to a user-centered approach to Web-based services, including Web interfaces that meet needs of library users. AHIP membership. Minimum of 3 years of relevant medical library experience or 5 years overall Librarian experience.

11. C Web Services Librarian, UT HSC San Antonio The libraries of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are seeking a Web Services Librarian to lead the development and management of the libraries' web presence. Required education/experience: Master's degree in Library or Information Science, with two years of related experience. Additional qualifications: Experience in Internet use, web design and usability ; applied knowledge of standard web tools; applied knowledge of web standards and content management solutions ; experience with database and web integration ; excellent oral and written communication skills; supervisory and/or project management experience desirable but not required. Teaching, library reference experience desirable. …

12. C Head of Digital Services and Technology Planning / Fairfield University Library … REQUIREMENTS: MLS from ALA accredited program; five or more years experience; knowledge of web design principles, including familiarity with web accessibility and usability norms and guidelines; demonstrated experience using web development applications; ability to anticipate web trends , investigate their applications in academic programming languages ; strong analytical and problem solving skills; …. Highly Desirable: Academic library experience; experience conducting usability studies and other user interface design testing ; knowledge of integrated library systems, preferably Sirsi/Dynix; solid experience in emerging technologies , networking, Internet applications, and electronic resources; knowledge of proxy server authentication; demonstrated knowledge of tools used in contemporary web design and development, including HTML, XML, JavaScript, and CSS; Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Flash ; one or more relational databases, (e.g., MS SQL or MySQL ); experience developing cross-browser compatible applications and content and in administering web applications such as blogs and wikis ; expertise in digitization and use of metadata standards, knowledge of digital practices, standards, projects and services.

13. Could you do those jobs?

15. Librarians in Limbo Need to be able to make smart choices Need to be able to talk to IT colleagues what’s a hard job? what’s an easy job? what does decision X lock us into - or out of? Need to stay relevant credibility with users and partners career development, longevity health of profession overall

16. At UCSD… Libraries websites, blogs managed by campus Common content management system No access to <head> elements IT services centralized for forms, scripts etc. Libraries website designed by committee Use of some external tools tolerated: gDocs, Twitter, Flickr, gVideo, WetPaint…

17. In Other Words… I put things in boxes. Ooh.

20. Goals for Our Sandbox Provide for skill development for technology librarian Environment for testing applications before proposing as production service Serve as a parking lot for “stuff” that we can’t do otherwise

21. Our Sandbox Commercial web hosting account Completely outside UCSD’s environment minimal risk to production services minimal risk of data loss can’t have a UCSD domain Offers quick-start installers for popular open-source programs – Drupal, Moodle, etc. Gets out of your way once you know what you’re doing

22. Experience so far Set up in Spring 2008 Using to host staff orientation video Installed and configured LimeSurvey used this live in InfoCommons survey Have tested installing other things like WordPress, phpBB, Gallery

23. CPanel

24. Fantastico Deluxe

25. Want To Try This? Web hosting is cheap! Look for a provider that offers easy start options such as Fantastico, but also lets you move on from that. Think about your domain carefully if you intend to use it “for real” Other models: 23 Things program, focusing on Web 2.0 tools Some libraries have a “public” sandbox, similar to gLabs, where demos available of new tools

26. Links & Reading Computers in Libraries 2008: General Conference http://www.infotoday.com/cil2008/day.asp?day=Tuesday . Sessions E203, 204, 205 all dealt with sandboxes and “play” Blowers, H. (2008). &quot;10 tips about 23 Things.&quot; School Library Journal 54(10): 53-7. The writer provides a number of tips on making the most of 23 Things,&quot; an online 2.0 tutorial for exploring web-based tools. These tips relate to encouraging networking, permitting participants to blog anonymously, using 1.0 methods to communicate, encouraging group discovery, designing the program for late bloomers, focusing on discovery rather than skill building, rewarding staff for learning, understanding that online means hands-on rather than hands-off, enabling transparency and practicing radical trust, and continually encouraging staff to play. Ishizuka, K. (2006). &quot;Come Blog with Me - 9/1/2006 - School Library Journal 52(9): 22-23. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6367050.html Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. &quot;Learning 2.0 : 23 things you can do to become web 2.0 savvy.&quot; from http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/ An online self-discovery program that encourages the exploration of web 2.0 tools and new technologies, specifically 23 Things. Stevenson, D. (2002). &quot;Playing in the technology sandbox.&quot; Computers in Libraries 22(9): 45-6. University of Cincinnati. &quot;ULSandbox Home.&quot; from http://ulsandbox.org/