Learn the nuts and bolts of building a library website with WordPress

CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new iteration of its popular eCourse, Using WordPress to Build Library Websites. Amanda L. Goodman will serve as the instructor for a six-week facilitated eCourse starting on Monday, March 16, 2015.

Skilled Web developer Amanda Goodman will guide you in applying WordPress tools and functionality to library content. You will learn the nuts and bolts of building a library website that is both user friendly and easy to maintain. WordPress is an open-source content management system that helps you create, develop and maintain a website. Its intuitive interface means that there’s no need to learn complex programming languages — and because it’s free, you can do away with purchasing expensive web development software.

After completing this eCourse, you will have the:

• ability to use WordPress to build and manage your library website;
• Understanding how WordPress organizes content types;
• Skills to effectively apply your WordPress knowledge to library content;
• Ability to use navigation and other features to create a user-friendly website structure.

eCourse Outline

Getting started

• What is a Content Management System
• Why WordPress?
• Installing WordPress
• Understanding WordPress files and directory structure
• WordPress community & help resources

WordPress Administration Dashboard

• Working with the WordPress admin dashboard
• Recommended settings
• Security issues

Adding content and selecting a theme

• Types of content: posts, pages, media, links
• Categories and Information architecture considerations
• Adding and editing content
• Media uploader
• Using themes to change the look and feel of your site

Custom menus, navigation options, and widgets

• Using the custom menus features
• Using widgets for navigation and links
• More widgety goodness …
• Adding content from third party sites

Adding functionality with plugins

• Installing plugins
• Basic ‘must-have’ plugins
• Library-related plugins

Engaging with Customers

• Comments and discussion options
• Building forms

Digging deeper into themes and customization

• Editing php files
• Editing CSS
• Child themes
• Page layouts

About the Instructor:
Amanda L. Goodman is the user experience librarian at Darien (Connecticut) Library, where her projects have included redesigning the library’s website, creating marketing materials and co-managing adult technology education classes. As an MLIS student, she redesigned the Library and Information Studies’ website at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro using WordPress. It became a model for other UNCG departments’ websites. She blogs about her work at A Ghost of Daisies.

Registration for this ALA Editions facilitated eCourse, which begins on March 16, 2015, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files), and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 3244 or editionscoursehelp@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.