American Library Association, Chicago

OIF Website Content Analysis and Usability Project

Intern: John Levandows

Code: ALACHI-04

As we continue to improve the ALA website the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has been reevaluating its own web content and organization. Some content is out of date while other pages need to be organized in a manner that is easily searchable from a user's perspective. The OIF website contains a great deal of important information and we would like an outside perspective on how best to organize and present it.

Specific skills: Understanding of web design and usability principles.

Digitization of Policy Documents

Intern: Ayoung Yoon

Code: ALACHI-06

The ALA policy document (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/index.cfm) is backed by a unique historical file. ALA Councilors would very much like to have the file digitized but a structure needs to be applied to that digitization. The project includes reviewing the file consulting with several staff on how it is used devising a web-based structure for the digitized pages and completing (or overseeing) the scanning of the pages. At least some pages will need to be scanned in order to prepare a prototype for the file.

Specific skills: Understanding of digitization projects indexing and web page development (ALA uses Serena Collage a content management system).

Access Database Design

Code: ALACHI-03

Analyze the design of two databases in use. Report on problems and recommend solutions. Time permitting implement those solutions.

Specific skills: Access database expertise

Learning 4 Life (L4L)- Best Practice Database

Code: ALACHI-01

L4L is a national plan for implementation of Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and Guidelines for the School Library Media Specialist. One of the L4L's objectives is to "identify exemplary models for implementation and transferable visual products for support for implementation at the local district state and national levels." AASL would like to implement this objective through the development of a "best practice/success stories" web tool in which not only will School Library Media Specialists submit their program overviews and successes but students will be recruited to submit video presentations.

Specific skills: This project will require skills in database development and multi-media platforms.

Fact Sheet Development

Code: ALACHI-05

The ALA Library maintains a wiki with short articles and reference lists on key topics in librarianship. The Library also develops fact sheets (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/hqops/library/libraryfactsheet/alalibraryfact.cfm) for the main website providing an overview of the information available on the frequently asked topics. Two to three topics may be selected for revision of existing material or development of a new fact sheet. Work process would include searches of the Web and other published literature and discussion with Library staff about typical questions about the area. The topic(s) would be determined based on student interests and needs of the Library.

Specific skills: Excellent research skills and knowledge of wiki editing necessary.

Website Keyword & Concept Analysis Blitz

Code: ALACHI-02

The ALA website needs a controlled vocabulary developed to assist staff and member-volunteer updaters with the creation of metadata using appropriate terms. Students will be assigned a specific section of the website to analyze for critical concepts to harvest keywords in use and identify synonyms. The keywords will be added to a wiki for use by web editors who prepare articles. If time allows a taxonomy will be developed from the terms identified.

Specific skills: If concepts are to be gathered manually then a background in LIS would be helpful. If any student knows of a way to harvest the terms using an application that would be a plus. Understanding taxonomies and thesaurus creation would be helpful.

Options for Managing Electronic Publications

Code: ALACHI-07

The ALA Library is receiving an increasing number of electronic periodicals--and managing them badly. Using current research an inventory of what is currently received and other findings the student on this project will outline options for managing this critical resource.

Specific skills: Understanding of serial publications patterns; knowledge of aggregator tools. Interest in special libraries would be a plus.