Thanks Kelley, for an excellent question:

“So here in Allegheny County in Pittsburgh (with our 44 libraries) we’re looking into using Drupal for a staff-only kind of intranet thing. I’ve been having no luck finding any online or even geographically manageable classes – anyone know of any or know anyone who could offer one, perhaps here on WebJunction? I’ve gotten the Drupal book and have even created a minimal page, but I realize I’m a bit out-of-my-realm when it comes to inviting 100+ users to begin engaging on the site – I can only imagine all the variables that I haven’t addressed! So, just putting my query out there to the library universe!”

If you’ve got suggestions for her, post them here or in Dear Community.

And I love her idea of some training on WJ. If anyone is interested in facilitating or presenting a webinar on the topic, please contact us via the form on our Webinars page. The archive would be a great resource, for sure!

I’ve posted Dana’s questions there too, but here’s what she’s asking.

I live in a small town in Panama with a library service population of about 20 thousand, mostly Spanish-speaking. The town has a small library now, but with no catalog, no librarian (as I would define it), and a very old and limited collection. They are building a new and three-times bigger facility and are willing to spend money for a new collection and computer system. The same person will be the librarian (and they don’t really have professional librarians as I understand them here), and she has limited technical and library skills.

I’ve posted two questions on WebJunction related to their needs. The first is for suggestions for an inexpensive and easy to use ILS system that could serve as OPAC, user database, and everything else. The second is a request for recommendations for a jobber/distributor to help build an opening day collection.

An aside, but an interesting one—I mentioned to the group that I thought many librarians would be willing to come here and contribute time in return for place to stay, meals, and they seemed to think that would be excellent in the longer term (like once they actually have a building). So, if any librarians out there want to buy a ticket to Panama and have a fun and mostly free working vacation, that can probably be arranged. I look forward to hearing back from the community with your suggestions!

Thanks Dana for her excellent request. I look forward to seeing the community respond here in comments, on WJ where Dana’s posted her questions, or in Dear Community. What a great start to a new WJ tradition!