Joomla is an open source CMS (Content Management System). It is used by individuals and large companies like ebay, Barnes & Noble, IKEA, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut, just to name a few. Its ease-of- use and extensibility has made it the most popular Web site software available, with sites currently using Joomla making up 2.7 percent of the Web.
Joomla is the perfect tool for librarians to create complex library websites without the need to learn complex coding. It provides users with a clean interface that expedites site creation and includes customization options and extensibility to meet a variety of needs.
In this eCourse, I will introduce the key concepts for developing a library web site with Joomla and demonstrate how to use Joomla’s advanced features and tools to create and maintain a library website. You will be guided through the process of setting up your own Joomla site, hosted on the ALA TechSource servers.
Learning outcomes:
- Ability to install, build, and maintain a Joomla based library website
- An understanding of the three basic Joomla extensions
- An understanding of the different layout types and the ability to create the main library website, library blog or book review blog, curating digital content, and an online reference or library guide.
- An understanding of User Access Control
eCourse outline
Getting started
- What is a Content Management System
- Why Joomla?
- Installing Joomla
- Basic configuration
Joomla Administration Panel
- Navigating the Admin panel
- Recommended settings
- Understanding extensions
- Directory structure
Getting Started
- Joomla Extension Directory
- Must-have extensions
- Understanding templates
Adding content
- Understanding Categories
- The Front Page
- Article settings
Creating layouts and menus
- Creating menus and menu links
- Linking to an article
- Layout types and settings
- Changing the layout
|
Modules
- Introduction to modules
- Template positioning
- Standard module types
- Changing the layout with modules
- Useful modules for libraries
Components
- Introduction to components
- Useful components for libraries
- Linking to components
Plugins
- Introduction to components
- Useful plugins for libraries
Templates
- Choosing a template
- Template settings
- Editing the template’s CSS
- Changing the template for different areas of your site.
- Going mobile
Maintenance
- Adding users and assigning permissions
- Backing up
- Security settings
|
After the basics we will dig deeper into:
- Creating a blog
- Setting up a blog layout with custom settings
- Creating an RSS feed
- Allowing multiple authors to contribute
- Patron feedback and engagement
- Adding forms (e.g. Comment, Reference Questions, Material Request)
- Commenting
- Turn commenting on for your articles and blog posts
- Moderating comments
- Adding a calendar
- Choosing the best calendar to meet your needs
- Setting up the component or module
- Adding categories and events
- Adding photo galleries
- Curating alternative content types
- Creating a new content type
- Creating collections of videos, pictures, and other digital resources
- Library Guides
- Creating subject guides
- Creating librarian pages
- Online reference
- Creating a Q&A page
- Creating a reference question form
- Adding a chat feature
|
Register Now!
