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New Web Technology at ALA

ALA is continuously expanding our technology offerings via this Web site and other means. Check this page often for updates on the most recent offerings as well as upcoming technology releases.

Recent offerings:

• RSS Feeds: In June 2005, ALA began offering two RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds via the Web site. The feeds are for ALA's home page press releases and for News from American Libraries. An explanation of RSS is linked from each of those pages to help users get started using this technology
• Improvements to the ALA Web Servers: In May 2005, servers and application code were upgraded and optimized to add further stability to the site. Reported speed increases on both the front end and in the underlying content management system indicate that these upgrades offered some performance improvement.
• ALA Online Communities: Launched for early adopters in fall 2005, ALA's Online Communities system is a member benefit, allowing participants to collaborate together in online groups. Threaded discussions, shared documents, online chat, shared links, and a message center are included in the features of this new application. A brief handout on the Online Communities is available at the bottom of this page. ALA members interested in participating with their committees should contact their Staff Liaisons for more information.
• ALA Membership Application/Renewal Form: Launched in late summer 2005, this improved method of applying for or renewing ALA and divisional/Round Table memberships is a great improvement over the previous online form. Reading from and writing directly to ALA's member database, the new application saves time for members and staff.
• Blogs:  Several ALA units maintain blogs.  See the RSS Feeds, Blogs, and Wikis page for a current list.  This page is also linked to from the ALA home page, through the three small buttons at the top of the News section.
• Wikis:  ALA has created a Wiki for the 2006 Annual Conference in New Orleans.  Visit the RSS Feeds, Blogs, and Wikis page for the latest information on new Wikis as they arise.

Upcoming new technology:

• New Content Management System (CMS): ALA is replacing the Content Management System (CMS) that allows our more than 100 content developers to manage the Web site at www.ala.org. Serena Collage has been chosen, and ALA staff are currently planning the migration of content from the current system to Collage.  The migration will be done unit-by-unit.  Some units may begin using the new system as early as May 2006.  Complete migration is expected to be completed by October of 2006.

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